Stuck for ideas for a Valentine’s Day gift? We’ve rounded up a selection of food and drink-related gifts to take the hard work out of your decision…
(We’ll be adding to this list regularly, so if you have anything else you’d like us to include, let us know! And if you’re still looking to book a table for Valentine’s Day, we have a round up of venues by price and postcode here!)
If you visit the Harbourside or Tobacco Factory markets or purchase from various farm shops and websites in the Bristol and Somerset area, you’ll no doubt have come across Lou’s fantastic chocolates before. Using as many organic and local ingredients as possible, her handmade chocolate selection includes varieties such as Jasmine Flower, Ginger & Fennel and her outstanding Sea Salted Caramels.
In addition to her standard chocolate boxes and hot chocolate sachets, Lou has two Valentine’s gifts available: her Ultimate Valentine’s Heart Box (pictured below) for £18, alongside her £6.50 Valentine’s Truffle Tube. Products can be purchased by clicking this link.
Buying for someone with less of a sweet tooth? Imogen’s Bath-based company Field To Feast may have the answer. The Valentine’s gift page on their website features a range of South West-produced gifts, including a pairing of Pebblebed Brut sparkling wine (made in Devon) and Godminster Organic Cheddar for £29.50.
French chef Iza Redon is offering a Valentine’s evening with a difference, with a two hour class at the Southville Centre on February 14th. You’ll be preparing a romantic three course meal which you will then take home – so either turn up alone and surprise your partner, or book both of you in! Spaces are limited, full details available here.
Head into the Quakers Friars branch of the Italian brand to browse their extensive Valentine’s range. I particularly like their Rosa Baccarat – a traditional long stem rose crafted from milk chocolate, and available priced at £3.95 for one, up to £39.95 for a dozen.
Milk chocolate hearts, rum soaked cherries and Baci Di Dama are just a few of the other gifts that make up the range, which can be seen here. Alternatively, head in and pick up a Valentine’s takeaway feast for two for £35…an antipasti selection of focaccia with baby cherry tomatoes, Puglian olives and Italian sliced meats; a sharing course of fresh wild boar tortellini with fresh Parmigiano and heart-shaped truffles for dessert. All of this comes complete with instructions on how to prepare and present your meal, a bottle of prosecco and an edible chocolate rose for dressing the table.
All things heart-shaped are great for Valentine’s Day! For a Valentine’s gift with a difference, how about a Simplicity tea gift set (£20) from Lahloo Tea? A tea infuser and five heart shaped tins containing different teas, it’s a perfect gift for tea lovers! Click here to buy.
Canton Tea’s Heart Shaped Flowering Tea
A fantastic little gift idea from Bristol-based Canton Tea Co. Their “Secret Heart Flowering Tea” gift box features handcrafted heart shaped bulbs, made from young green tea buds tied around a globe amaranth and camelia flowers. The display once the tea has infused is pretty impressive. Buy online (with or without glass teapot included) by clicking here.
The Chocolate Tart – Valentine’s Chocolate Making Class
How about a Valentine’s chocolate making class as a gift with a difference? The Chocolate Tart are running two Valentine’s workshops on Tuesday 14th, one at 11am-1pm and the other from 7pm-10pm. Learn how to make chocolates that you will then take home with you afterwards…and I’ve been informed that you can eat as much chocolate as you like while you’re there! More details, including how to book and prices, available here.