Before I penned this blog post, I thought about several of the hallmark mementos that have become symbols for Valentine’s Day throughout my lifetime.
I pictured pastel-colored hard candy hearts with faded messages like “be mine” etched onto the top of each one of them. The tiny candies were dispensed in thin paper boxes every February.
Then, I envisioned a profusion of big red heart-shaped Whitman chocolate boxes wrapped in shiny cellophane.
Lastly, I remembered the handmade construction paper hearts trimmed with lace paper doilies and pretty ephemera that I embellished for my dear Valentines. Those delicate paper hearts that I adorned with love have become my fondest memories of Valentine’s Day gift-giving.
If you would like to present your special friend or family member with a unique gift this Valentine’s Day, here are some personal easily accessible recommendations for you.
Mama Do You Love Me? By Barbara M. Joose
This sweet picture book was one that my son requested I read to him over and over again.
The Intuit inspired tale is about a young girl who slowly comprehends her mother’s unconditional love for her.
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, I ordered for my son from Under the Chinaberry Treemany years ago. My son loved the book and the whimsical illustrations too.
This story is about a single adult male who receives a mysterious chocolate heart from the mail carrier on Valentine’s Day. Suddenly, Mr. Hatch’s disposition improves as he goes about trying to find out who mailed his precious gift.
Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis
Synopsis: In this charming and poignant novel that “oozes charm and wit and speaks beautifully about friendship and love, and the differences between the two” (Laura Pearson, author of I Wanted You to Know), teenager Emmie Blue releases a balloon with her email address and a big secret into the sky, only to fall head-over-heels for the boy who finds it. But fourteen years later, everything Emmie has planned is up in the air.
Lia Louis’ debut novel Dear Emmie Blue is an easy, feel-good romance genre. You can read my full 5-star book review here.
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Synopsis: Newlyweds, Celestial and Roy, are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. He is a young executive and she is an artist on the brink of an exciting career. They are settling into the routine of their life together when they are ripped apart by circumstances neither could have imagined.
Ruby Royale is a delicious snack that combines different blends of nuts and cacao that at first seem to contradict one another but instead, form a complementary combination. Is Ruby Royale Premium mix sweet, salty, or sour? The answer is yes, the snack mix has a unique medley of all three flavors.
I cannot leave Ruby Royale out when my father is visiting because the snack mix will disappear within minutes.
Nutella Chocolate Hazelnut Spread, Perfect Topping for Pancakes, Great for Holiday Recipes, 26.5 oz
This creamy smooth rich paste from heaven is more than your average chocolate. Whereas traditional chocolate bombards your palate with sweetness, Nutella is a gentle touch of cocoa that gradually envelopes your senses.
Reeser’s Hot Pickled Beef Polish Sausage Quart Jar 1.18 pound
These sausages are spicy and flavorful. They have a soft, yet firm texture that dissolves in your mouth. The taste starts off explosively hot followed by a tangy, salty afterbite. Once you have swallowed the nourishment, it leaves you longing for another sample. Before you know it, the sausage is completely gone only to be replaced by another one.
Hopefully, my list of favorites will enrich your Valentine’s Day shopping for you.
