Delicious & delightful gifts for Valentine’s Day
Here’s the thing about Valentine’s Day: Yes, it can make some people feel pressured to be in a romantic relationship. And yes, if you just want to show loved ones of all kinds that you care about them, it can feel silly to be told which day to do it.
But it’s also kind of fun, especially when we get (and give) cute presents that just make us smile.
I think there’s something downright lovely about that. And if you do too, I’ve got some ideas for thoughtful and easy-togive presents that spread a little love of all varieties — to everyone in your orbit.
For loved ones far away: Local culinary gem Dumpling Daughter (with locations in Cambridge, Brookline, and Weston) has earned a cult following for its addictive and authentic Chinese dumplings. (Crispy pork and cabbage dumplings? Yes, please!) But you can gift them to family and friends ones no matter where they live; just have them shipped, frozen. (Starting at $15 on dumplingdaughter.com). Don’t forget to include a bottle of the restaurant’s coveted (and equally addictive) Spicy Sweet Soy sauce to keep Valentine’s Day, well, sweet and spicy. As it should be.
For your wardrobe: Yes, our closets require gifts, too. So treat yours to a bit of flirty color for Valentine’s Day—via Women’s High Rise Flare Pant ($118 on lee.com). In various shades of lively, joyful pink, the ultra-flare design is groovy as can be and comes straight from Lee’s retro patterns stored in their archives.
For all of your cookie monsters: This year, Levain Bakery (180 Newbury St., Boston) is cooking up and delivering a limited edition Cookie Gram, i.e. one of the bakery’s scrumptious decadent cookies in a festive gift box. And since each one rings in at a mere $5, you can send them to a slew of your sugar-loving besties. They ship within Greater Boston — or, if you’re looking to surprise someone outside the area, order up a box of the company’s decadent signature treats (the dark chocolate chocolate chip is divine) on levainbakery. com—they’ll arrive in festive VDay packaging.
For women who wear their heart on their neck: Some ladies love love so much, they announce it with abandon. For them I have a special necklace— the Sydney Evan’s Medium Love Script Rope Necklace ($850 on gretta. co). It’s simple message (“Love”) has just a hint of flash to it, in 14k yellow gold script, with a 16-inch rope necklace. As to the question of what to wear it with, doesn’t love go with everything?
For the morning people in your life: Nothing showcases your adoration with a homemade breakfast— especially when it’s made in a Heart-Shaped Egg & Pancake Mold ($6.96 on surlatable.com). Use it to whip them up some heart pancakes (chocolate chip, if you *really* love them) or a couple of fried eggs. It’s incredibly easy: Pour the batter or eggs into the BPA-free silicone mold (which is also dishwasherand stove-safe) and use the little handle to lift it up when it’s cooked.