Lockdown Valentine’s Day – lift someone up by spreading the love
4th February
As a candlelit dinner in your favourite posh restaurant is not going to happen this year, you might be wondering what to do to make this coming Valentine’s Day a touch more special than a ‘normal’ day.
Here are a few ideas:
If you’re looking for something to share with your significant other this Valentine’s, how about a delicious bottle of rose from a local vineyard? Off The Line Vineyard is offering a 10% discount on all online orders.
Use Code ILOVEROSÉ when you order from their online shop which you can do by clicking here https://www.offthelinevineyard.com/wines. If you’re sending wine as a gift, you can include any message that you would like when you order. Don’t hold back or spare their blushes!
Or you could say it with flowers from The Flower Workshop this Valentine’s Day. Order now to avoid disappointment on the big day. For Valentine’s orders – call 01435 863 333 and although the shop is only open for staff they will be organising local deliveries or collections from the shop door. Whether you fancy traditional red roses, or something more adventurous, their creative, talented florists will be able to advise you on a stylish bouquet. Give the shop a call www.theflowerworkshop.biz
Or what better way to make your Valentine’s go pop than with a lovely bottle of fizz from local independent wine suppliers, Wellbrook Wines, based in Mayfield.
They have this delicious, Champagne-method pink sparkler De Rochebouet Rose from one of the best producers in South America . https://www.wellbrookwines.co.uk/product-page/de-rochebouet-extra-brut-ros%C3%A9-chardonnay-pinot-noir-nv
Or push the boat out a little and try this impressive, small-grower Champagne… Pierre Mignon 1er Cru https://www.wellbrookwines.co.uk/product-page/pierre-mignon-grande-reserve-champagne-1er-cru-nv
Free delivery on any 12 bottles of wine or collect from their premises in Mayfield https://www.wellbrookwines.co.uk/contact-us
For a luxury Valentine’s gift, Cuculo Cheese & Wine in Heathfield is selling packs of spectacularly beautiful, locally made Art Chocolat chocolates, together with the latest exciting development in Italian wine: Rosé Prosecco. This is a brand new appellation which is creating a big splash in the world of wine. Call the shop on 01435 862596 to discuss your order and arrange delivery.
Although The Rose & Crown Burwash isn’t open on Sunday 14th for takeaway, you could buck the trend and order one of their outstanding takeaways on Saturday 13th. You can see the menu here. The food is all freshly made and wonderful.
If you are missing visiting The Middle House Mayfield for a meal, the next best thing is to order a selection of their frozen meals They are made by the Middle House chefs. You can order by phone or pop into the Middle House Deli.
Alternatively take a browse through the beautiful, Burwash-based artisan food and drink company’s website www.meltedinside.com There are many beautiful products, guaranteed made with love, that can make February 14th extra sweet and special. In the new Love Corner you can find some popular gift picks.
Food is the language of love, even more so than ever before. So combining your love of food with the love of your life couldn’t be more perfect.
If you are living apart from the very special person in your life during this lockdown, on 14th February you can still eat together virtually to celebrate – order each other surprise foods and drinks from www.meltedinside.com – or both have the same and share some new delicious sensations.
Or why not spread the love a bit wider this year and send a love parcel to a few people who are close to your heart. Perhaps a grandparent or parent, an aunt or uncle or a good friend. There is nothing more exciting than receiving a parcel with a surprise gift and then planning when to taste it. And we all need a little extra love at the moment.
If you are the lucky one spending the lockdown with your special one, make your eat-in experience more exciting. Treat yourself with a tasting adventure, that can be a good change of topics at the dining table.
With a few clicks you can select and have delivered everything from wonderful cheeses to sensual saucisson flavoured with chanterelle or pastas filled with exotic things like king prawns and crayfish or black truffle and ricotta.
For extra decadence, perhaps follow your savoury course with little Acacia honeycomb. (Honey contains boron which is said to regulate hormone levels, and nitric oxide which is released in the blood during arousal.)
This unusually flavoured Gin in a Tin which tastes of pomegranate, raspberry and cardamom comes in a beautiful pink tin. Cardamom contains high concentrations of the compound 1,8-cineole which increases blood flow and releases tension.
Ginger has been deemed and aphrodisiac for centuries as it stimulates the circulatory system and some claim it increases sensitivity in erogenous zones. That’s why we thought this ginger and spice tonic making kit from Montgomery Donald could be just the thing to get you in the mood.
The Love You Box from Nourish Grow, Cook, Enjoy is a perfect, affordable gift containing a collection of delicious vegan treats to share including fruity zingy raspberry and rich, earthy red velvet macaroons, alongside ‘no naughty or nasties’ coconut bites in delicious cacao and vanilla.
Another perfect gift is the Chocolate Dates The Love Gift Box containing nine handmade chocolate dates with assorted fillings. Each chocolate date is made of a whole Medjoul date filled with either Nutella, peanut butter, roasted almond, roasted hazelnuts or pistachio and then covered with white chocolate, milk chocolate or dark chocolate. Dates are rich in amino acids which are known to increase sexual stamina so, combined with chocolate which is a well-known aphrodisiac, you will want to buy this gift if you are lucky enough to be with your special person.
Chocolate is, of course, one of the post popular gifts for Valentine’s and there is nothing more romantic than posting or presenting an artisan made chocolate candy heart filled with sea salt caramel pecans and shortbread by La Fleur de Chocolate.
If the loved one in your life is vegan you could give them some equally romantic raspberry heart-shaped chocolates from Luisa’s Vegan Chocolates. These award-winning Great Taste chocolates are made with cocoa grown at David Kebu’s farm in the Guarda Canal of the volcanic Solomon Islands. They contain no refined sugar, are soy free, gluten free, dairy-free, preservative free, sulphites free and vegan with absolutely no compromise on the exquisite taste.
Another choice that combines chocolate and raspberries, said to be an aphrodisiac because of their nipple-like shape, are the stunning and luscious raspberry and chocolate hearts made by the Wicked & Wonderful Chocolatier. They are filled with a divine mixture of raspberry and decadent salted caramel.
Candy Bowles launched Melted Inside during lockdown to offer people a greater choice of lovingly made products during a time of isolation and social distancing.
