I admit, I love Valentine’s Day. I know, I know. It’s a hallmark holiday; it’s a manufactured day to entice buyers back into stores after they’ve already maxed their limits over the holiday season in November and December; one shouldn’t need a day on which to show love to the people they hold dear. I know all the reasons we’re not supposed to support it. I just can’t help it. I still like it. And, I promise, that’s only partly because chocolate tends to be a heavy part of its celebratory traditions.
I’m the parent who, at the beginning of the school year, secretly hopes she’ll be put on Valentine’s Day party duty. I’ve had fun with the Halloween party, I always show my face at the holiday party, but the Valentine’s Day party is truly my favorite. I dream of fluffy, whipped, pink frosting atop cupcakes, red sugar sprinkles on cookies.
It’s one of the few days each year where I can cut-loose and fully embrace my inner girly-girly. I can admit that sometimes I like food — and even decor — that looks eerily like a bottle of pepto bismol threw up; I can tie packages up with frilly red bows; and, yes, I can show those dear to me I love them a little more thoroughly than I may remember to 364 others days per year. And you know, that just may not be all bad. Especially when the packages I am tying up contain some of the finest handmade and artisan gifts around; gifts that support small producers and their families so perhaps the love can flow through their homes too.
Haven’t picked a gift for your love yet? The clock is ticking, but there’s still time. Many Foodzie and Etsy sellers offer rush shipping options. Click over and get your shopping done now! Hedonistic Chocolate’s Raspberry Truffles, d’Lischka’s German-inspired cookies and Gauteau et Ganache’s Marshmallow hearts are just the tip of the iceberg.
Diana Prichard
Diana Prichard is a homegrown and artisan food junkie; owner-operator of the small farm Olive Hill; and freelance writer living in rural Michigan. You can find more on her work and life at dianaprichard.com.you might also like...
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our chocolates are featured in a Valentine's blog post on Try Handmade http://tryhandmade.com/edible-love/
I absolutely love the way you approach Valentine's Day! I just sort of had that conversation with my fiance about only showing those you love how much they mean on one day because it means you sort of neglect the other 364 days of the year. However, like you, I'm secretly addicted to it because, as you so aptly stated, it lets out the "inner girly-girly" that we just can't hide! The frills, the surprises, the decadent sweets (Brian doesn't eat them, really – more for me!!!! LOL) and the beautiful packaging – what's not to like? Let's not forget those wedding on Valentine's Day, too. Talk about romance!
In a day when romance seems to be flying out the window in so many ways, I think that having one day to remind everyone that it really only takes something small to be romantic and to rekindle romance is a good thing! Too many of us tend to get caught up in life. For one day, forget life and celebrate romance! Now THAT'S a celebration of life!