Worst Valentine’s Day Ideas
Here's a great video which will hopefully give you some idea of what NOT to do. I realize that I should be giving ideas of what TO do but it's pretty funny. Check it out below.
Top Chocolates In The UK
One of the questions that is commonly asked here at RedValentine.co.uk is where should I buy chocolates online for the UK? So I thought a nice list of common chocolatiers would be helpful for anyone's quest to finding the best chocolates in the UK. Unfortunately, I have not tried all these chocolatiers (yet and hopefully by Valentine's day I will). Remember we have many different types, flavors and kinds on our Chocolate page.
Cadbury Chocolates
Cadbury Gifts Direct is a well known brand who sells higher end lower quality chocolates. What does this mean exactly? It means you can find Cadbury chocolates besides other candy bars at your local supermarket and at this supermarket it's probably the higher end chocolate.
Cadbury Chocolates, although tasty, are NOT recommended for Valentine's day. Your significant other will think that you didn't spend the time to get some nice chocolates. If Cadbury chocolates are his/her favorite then of course Cadbury Chocolates are fine.
Hotel Chocolat
Hotel Chocolat is a Luxury chocolate manufacturer in Britain. Hotel Chocolat is a well known brand in the UK having over 33 shops and a large online pressence. You can find anything from Chocolate slabs and liquid chocolate to Dark Chocolate Recipes.
ZChocolat
zChocolat.com in the UK is a lesser known brand of chocolate. This is because ZChocolate is based out of France and this means GOOD chocolate. One of the unique things about this chocolatier is many of their chocolates come in wooden boxes. This allows your valentine to have a special souvenir for after Valentine's Day.
Chocolate Trading Company
Chocolate Trading Company is the largest online chocolatier in the UK. They specialize in the finest luxury chocolates from around the world. Their large selection of chocolate boxes allows you to pick the chocolate box for the right occasion. Chocolate Trading Company will NOT disappoint on Valentine's Day.
Discount Code: CTJA06 - Valid to get 6% off your order!
Whatever chocolatier that you decide to go with make sure that you buy something that your valentine will enjoy. Remember it's her (or his) day not yours so if she likes truffles and you like caramel go with truffles.
Romance Your Bedroom – Valentines Day Idea For Your Wife / Girlfriend
Romance Your Bedroom
One of the main themes of Valentine's day is love and this love is often translated to the bedroom. So why not surprise her with a very romantic bedroom.
How to romanticize your bedroom
You'll need the following four things to make it truly romantic
- Candles
You should buy 10 or more candles and spread them throughout the room. The candles should also be scented to make a nice aroma for the room. Buy her favorite candle scent, if you don't know what it is then anything Vanilla or Strawberry are probably safe bets.
Suggested Retailers: Kiarie or Just Candles
- Flowers
Flowers are not completely necessary, especially if you've already purchased flowers during the day. However, if you haven't then definitely buy some flowers for the room. That way she'll have a bouquet to remember that special night.
Suggested Retailers: Next Day Flowers or Clare Florist
- Rose Petals
Flower petals can be placed throughout the bedroom. You can either have them throw on the bed like in "American Beauty" (see the video below) or put them in small dishes spread throughout the room. If she's very picky about cleanliness then it is suggested to put them in small dishes.
Suggested Retailers: Party Delights or Next Day Flowers
- Lingerie
Buy some nice lingerie for her. You can either go with something a little risque like or you can buy nice nightwear. This just ads that extra touch that you have been thinking about her all day.
Suggested Retailers: FigLeaves UK, Knickerbox
or LaSenza
- Clean Bed Sheets
This may seem like a weird final piece for the bedroom but most ladies like clean bed sheets. By you placing clean bedsheet on the bed she'll know that you are ensuring her total comfort for the night.
This idea works great by having a sign on the bedroom saying "do not enter" (or something of that nature). She'll then be wondering what's in the room for the whole night and will add an element of suspense to the evening. Also, this should go without saying but be sure to tidy up the room so that the parts on highlight (candles, flowers, flower petals, etc.) are on display.
However you decided to do this romantic valentine's day idea for your wife/girlfriend be sure that you emphasize your love for her. That's the true meaning of Valentine's day.
Chocolate Trading Company – Discount Code
Here are two different codes to try when booking online at Chocolate Trading Company.
- Discount Code: UKOFFER - Good for 8% off of your order at Chocolate Trading Company - Ends September 2009.
- Discount Code: CTJA06 - Good for 6% off of your order at Chocolate Trading Company - Ends January 31st 2009.
Try the first discount code (UKOFFER) first and see if the 8% is applied and if not use the other discount code.
Selecting the Proper Customized Valentine’s Gifts
One of the great things about Valentine's day is making customized Valentine's gifts. I'm not talking something that you would make in primary school we're talking about being selecting a useful item or gift and getting that properly customized. You simply have to put a little thought into selecting and customizing the gift. So how do you go about making a good customized valentine's gift? Here are some simple tips for you to pick the correct personalized gift.
1) Brainstorm what he or she likes
You should grab a piece of paper and write down all the things that he/she likes. For example: Golfing, Football, Scotch and TV.
2) Think of things that he/she might need or want
Using the list of things that he/she like to do you think of things that he/she might want or use. Don't worry too much about trying to determine if you can personalize the object. For example: golf balls, golf tees, golf towel, football magazine subscription, tumbler glass for scotch, more bottles of scotch, etc..
3) Browse a store which sells customized valentine's gifts such as Getting Personal.
From the list above I can see that the golf items are all customizable.
4) Now getting something engraved (or written) on the selected item.
When selecting what to get engraved on the item first think of the use of the item. For example the golf towel you probably don't want to get both of your names written on it. It would be better as something like "I love you" or something along those lines. Be creative but also think of the use of the item prior to getting it engraved.
Of course, if you have ran out of time and can't make something customized then you can always order chocolates (Chocolate Trading Company), flowers (Next Day Flowers) or a gift hamper (First4hampers) and get it rush delivered. Plus you can take solice in the fact that guranateed you weren't the only person to do this!
Light Up Her/His Night With Stickers On Valentine’s Day
Here's a neat idea to supplement your gift to your Valentine on Valentine's day. Light up I LOVE YOU on your ceiling.
Simply buy some Glow in The Dark Stickers. You know the ones that you probably used to have as a kid or that you're children currently have. They usually come in the form of stars.
Take them and place them on your roof spelling I LOVE YOU on the roof of your bedroom.
That night you can have a romantic evening, obviously not telling her about the stickers. Then when she goes to bed and looks at the ceiling she'll see you love message. It'll make a very nice present and she'll probably thank you right there and then!
You can buy the Glow in the Dark Stars at Hamleys.
Cost: £5
US $4.85
Romantic Valentine’s Idea – Post A Love Letter To Her
A nice Valentine's idea for your loved one is to mail him/her a love letter at their office or home. You simply get a nice piece of paper and HAND write a love letter, poem or whatever you want on the paper.
Then head to the post office to mail the letter. Be sure that you will be posting the letter so that it arrives ON valentine's day. You'll probably have to pay a bit extra for it but that'd be bad if it showed up early or late.
Why is posting a letter romantic?
There are a few reasons why this is romantic. First it shows that you've been thinking about her/him and have planned far enough in advance to have the letter arrive on Valentine's day. Second, the letter will arrive completely unannounced. You can either make the outside of the letter show that it's a love letter from you OR you can just make seem like a plain letter so the surprise is on the inside. Finally, what you include in the letter is romantic.
What to include in the letter?
The letter should come from the heart. Anything that tells her exactly how you feel about her is a good start. If you aren't good at writing or can't come up with something then search online for a romantic poem. Then hand write the poem out (putting the author's name at the bottom) then write something along the lines of "My words can't express the way I feel for you but this poem does..."
Cost:
£ 1.00 - Nice Paper
£ 1.50 - Postage Fees
Stay In For Chocolate Fountain Night
A great idea for Valentine's day that won't blow your budget is to make a Chocolate Fountain Night. 
A chocolate fountain is basically a three-dimensional chocolate fondue. For a Chocolate Fountain Night you'll need a chocolate fountain, high quality chocolate and fruit.
You'll need to buy the following things:
A Chocolate Fountain - Home Chocolate Fountains range in size up to about 19" tall. They are primarily made of plastic and may have some stainless steel components (although all-stainless models do exist) and are usually dishwasher safe. Home chocolate fountains normally hold 6 or less pounds of chocolate.
Chocolate - It is imperative that you buy Couverture Chocolate to get the correct flow of the chocolate. Most chocolate fountains will come with a pack of the specialty chocolate or the chocolate shop will recommend the correct chocolate for your fountain.
Recommended Chocolatiers: zChocolat or Chocolate Trading Company
Fruit - The fruit you want to create an assortment of fruit cut into approximately 2-3 cm cubes. Some good fruit to consider is Strawberries, Banana's, Kiwi's and Oranges.
Now you simply cut up the fruit the day before and follow the instructions on the chocolate fountain to make your chocolate flow!
Cost:
Chocolate Fountain: £ 49.95
Chocolate: £ 8.5
Fruit: £ 10 (approximately)
Total Cost: £ 68.95
Tips for Buying Jewelry Online
Presenting a stunning new ring or necklace to a loved one on Valentine's Day can put a shimmer in her eyes that will make it a memorable holiday for you both. With the growth of independent jewelers who sell online, you have more options to find a great value than ever before. When embarking on your jewelry search, keep these tips in mind to get the best possible deal:
Focus on the Quality of the Materials
You should first check to make sure that the materials of the jewelry in question are top quality. Look for gold that is solid, 24 karat as well as high-grade diamonds; while most all jewelry looks good on a computer screen, buying high quality materials can make a world of difference in person. Additionally, make sure that you have certification of the authenticity of the diamond, and do plenty of background research before buying an expensive gem.
Buy from a Reputable Seller
Given the nearly infinite number of jewelry sellers on the Internet today, you will be able to select from dozens of potential sellers. Judge the seller's quality based upon reviews that you find, as well as asking for recommendations from those whom you trust.
Reputable Sellers: Purely Diamonds
Double Check the Satisfaction Policy
While selecting jewelry online can provide an avenue to choosing dozens of potential jewelry pieces, you may find that your loved one has something else in mind, after the fact. As a result, check that the seller will allow you to exchange the piece within a reasonable amount of time. When you get the perfect gift for your loved one, she will truly appreciate the thought you put into the gift.
Tips for Buying Lingerie Online
There's nothing quite like a lingerie gift to spice up your Valentine's Day with the one you love. Buying lingerie online may seem like a difficult proposition, but today's eCommerce sites have a large number of features which facilitate the process. Take advantage of the resources available to you in order to pick out the right piece to make this Valentine's Day one to remember:
Check Out Size Specifications in Advance
Buying the proper size lingerie should be your first and foremost priority when selecting an item online. The absolute sure-fire way to make sure you select the proper size is either to directly ask your loved one, or to (surreptitiously) check the tag on one of her other pieces. Additionally, many sellers and manufacturers have their own unique fitting system, so don't be shy to inquire as to which size you should select based upon the information you have about her figure.
It is imperative that you have the correct size prior to purchasing online. Having the wrong size can show that you're unobservant or think she's too skinny or fat. Either way having the initial size prior to manufacturer differences is key.
Balance Comfort with Style
While it may seem tempting to pick the absolute sexiest outfit that you find, it's vitally important to strike a balance between the look and comfort of the items. In general, to determine the comfort, you'll want to select a fabric that is breathable, adjustable and allows for movement; seek a proper balance between the two, and a knowledgeable online salesperson should be able to provide you with recommendations.
Ask For Advice from Another Woman
Don't be too shy that you end up with the wrong gift: ask a female friend for her recommendations, ideas and feedback to ensure that you are buying a gift that will be enjoyable for both you and your loved one. There is nobody who can judge what a woman wants better than a woman herself, so always run your ideas by a female friend (but make sure she keeps the gift secret from your loved one, so it will remain a surprise!)
Lingerie is a great gift to give as it's really a gift for both of you and can make for quite a fun Valentine's Day evening and future evenings as well!
Recommended Lingerie Dealers Online:
