Be my Valentine

Valentines day is one of those weird holidays stuck in the middle of winter between the other major religious holidays. Some people are totally into it and others are not so much. I think its a nice celebration of a close relationship at a time when we are mostly stuck inside. Besides what else have we got to do in the middle of winter. You might as well do something, whether, it be an experience with someone special or a gift for the most special person, yourself.

I thought I would share some ideas I had for gifts or things to do.

1. Shiny Attachments - Jewelry is always a great gift idea and if you don’t like gift wrapping, Skultuna has seriously beautiful packaging. Skultuna is over 400 years old and was founded in 1607 as a brass foundry. They have a beautiful home accessory line as well as fashion accessory line for men and women. Even if your someone special is not the kind of person to buy jewelry, just remember, no one loves you like you do.

2. Sweet Treats - My husband loves chocolate. He would be happy anytime you gave it to him. If your significant other loves whiskey and chocolate than I highly recommend the Woodford Reserve bourbon balls. They are so delicious and come in a pretty box too. You can order them from several places including the Woodford Reserve website that I have linked here:

Woodford Reserve Bourbon balls

This is a great time of year to shop local and discover a new shop. Toffee is definitely a weakness of mine and if you haven’t tried Sinful Toffee I highly recommend it. They have several locations where you can pick it up including Churchills Market and Kazmaier’s.

When you think Valentines day I always think of chocolate covered strawberrys. They just go together like milk and cookies. Maumee Valley Chocolate & Candy in downtown Maumee has all kinds of chocolate covered strawberry’s including my favorite dark chocolate.

The Cookie Lady is a family favorite. My husband loves all of their peanut butter creations.

3. A Night Out - Lately I have been telling my husband that I wish we had a good place to go dancing. I loved the beginning of “Death on the Nile” where Linnet first met Simon in that speakeasy where everyone was dancing. It looked so fun. If I could go back in time it would be to the 1920’s. I’m still waiting for that place, but Lucille’s checks most of my boxes. They have great food and drinks and even better live music. They don’t have a show on Valentine’s day, but they have shows on the 10th, 11th, 15th, and 17th. The show on the 15th is a poetry and open mic night.

Registry bistro is one of my favorite restaurants. Chef Erika Rapp is a Toledo gem and I love every dish she creates. They have an amazing handcraft cocktail menu. It can be hard to find a good cocktail that is not too sweet and has a good flavor complexity, but they nail it.

If you live in the Fremont area then definitely consider and evening at Scarpetta’s. They have easy to love Italian dishes and great selection of cocktails. Their lively and creative interior décor also keeps me coming back to cozy up in their booths.

If you are in the mood for an opera “The Merry Widow” is playing at the Valentine Theater on Friday, February 10th and Sunday the 12th. Going to see an opera is such a good time. You get all dressed up and listen to talented people sing a tragic love story. This one is a light hearted comedy so if you are not into the tragic tails you might like this one. Its also being sung in English rather than Italian.

4. Galentine’s Day - Who says Valentines day is just about you and your significant other. Its also a good time to spend with your BFF. February 13th has been dubbed Galantines day, but being that its a Monday this year don’t feel obligated to celebrated it on that day if your schedules don’t work.

The Toledo Zoo is having an Orchid Show this year and looks like the perfect event to spend with your gal pal or plant enthusiast friend. Its only open from 10 am to 4 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from February 10th to the 26th.

5. Relaxation Time - A gift card for a massage or spa treatment is always appreciated. Its an especially good gift for that person in your life who works especially hard like a mother, husband who works construction, or anyone in the mail delivery service (I feel for you guys). There are several good places around the greater Toledo area, but if that person has a place they typically go then I recommend getting them a gift card for that place.

6. Flowers - I’m not going to lie, most of the time I just pick up flowers when I’m at the grocery store during the winter months. Its easy and convenient. If you are giving someone flowers from the grocery store that is 100% OK with me. Just getting flowers is appreciated no matter where they came from. It really is the thought and effort that counts. However, I do recommend checking out your local florists. Its good for your community to support local businesses. If you want to gift something that lasts a little longer then try a potted plant or an orchid. Orchids can stay in bloom for a very long time. I once had one bloom for almost 3 months, no joke. If you see one loosing its flowers then is probably been in the store a while or taken its sweet time to travel to the store.

Thanks for stopping by and spending your time with me. Let me know if you have any other Valentine’s day suggestions.