Valentine’s Day – Some ‘Love’ly Suggestions – Of course, the shops are now filled with all sorts of Valentine’s Day items, from cards and chocolates to flowers, drinks, food and lots more. I’ve selected a few suggestions here for you, from the ultra-reasonably priced to the more indulgent, but at the end of the day, it’s not what you spend on a gift or meal, it’s the love that it’s chosen with.
Starting with a real bargain from Tesco, is an ice cube tray that will allow you to show your love in all manner of drinks, forever. At the bargain price of just £3, this will make ten heart shaped ice cubes. Tesco also has lots of other low-cost gift items this year, including a great meal deal (see below)
Chocolates are always a popular gift, but for someone special, these rather indulgent heart-shaped ones from world famous chef and chocolatier Pierre Marcolini, are very special indeed. From his De tout Coeur ‘With all my Love’ Collection 2026 these coloured chocolate hearts are entirely natural, the shades having been created with powdered fruit and vegetables. Each box contains Raspberry, Passion, Caramel, Pistachio and Lime hearts filled with flavoured ganache. Two sizes of box are available, from £27. There is also a wonderful large praline heart in a gift box for £13.90: it’s a duo of crunchy milk chocolate pralinés. The first layer combines the hazelnut praliné with crêpe dentelle and whole Piedmont hazelnuts. The second is hazelnut and black sesame praliné, also with crêpe dentelle. From Harrods (mail order available too) or from the Notting Hill or Marylebone High Street shops.
How about surprising your beloved with a hamper of goodies so that you can cosy up and enjoy it together on Valentine’s Day? Hampers.com has a fabulous range for all occasions, but I particularly like this Wine, Cheese and Pâté Gift Hamper at £55. Packed in a bamboo tray is a bottle of Finca Amalia Rioja, chosen for its fruity notes and depth, pairing with the rich, full flavours of two traditional English cheddars. The Mouse House vintage English cheddar, and its caramelised onion cheddar (bringing a sweet contrast). There’s also an indulgent duck liver pâté from Cornish Charcuterie, fig and spelt sourdough crackers from Peter’s Yard, olive oil and oregano toasted bread bites and Tracklement’s sticky fig relish.
If you’re not planning to blow your budget and whizz over to New York for the weekend, maybe enjoy a Manhattan or two together? Michter’s is a premium American Whiskey that’s the perfect ingredient for this classic cocktail. Michter’s is one of the oldest trademarks in American whiskey, with the first distillery founded in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania in 1753 by John Shenk who made rye. It’s been named The World’s Most Admired Whiskey for three years running and has a long legacy of offering traditional American whiskeys of uncompromising quality. First crafted in the late 19th century, the Manhattan has long been seen as a symbol of sophistication. Michter’s US*1 range is available nationwide at various retailers including Whole Foods, Majestic and Amazon from around £56 a 70cl bottle.
For a gin aficionado, this beautiful bottle of Japanese gin makes a gorgeous gift. Roku is Suntory’s premium craft gin. Roku is Japanese for the number six, and each bottle of Roku gin is infused with six special botanicals. Each one is sourced in Japan, at the peak of its season. This first expression in the Seasonal Festival Collection, Roku Sakura Bloom Edition, is inspired by one of the most celebrated Japanese festivals and one of Roku’s key ingredients, the Sakura Flower (cherry blossom). Roku is a perfect balance of flavours with the gin’s unique taste coming from six Japanese botanicals – Sakura flower, Sakura leaf, Yuzu peel, Sencha tea, Gyokuro tea and Sansho pepper. What’s more, it’s easily available – from Tesco – at £34 for a 70cl bottle.
Appropriately named for Valentine’s is a range of blended pre-mixed cocktails called Gasm. These aren’t cheap, sugary disasters, but award-winning properly crafted premium drinks made with real spirits and quality ingredients. Available in bottles and handy cans, there are two flavours of gin-inspired cocktail available: SloeGasm (Fresh Sloeberry juice crafted with gin and sparkling wine); and PlumGasm (fruit-infused sparkling wine blended with plum-infused gin). At under £5 per can from gasmdrinks.co.uk (and free delivery on 12 or more cans)
And a special person deserves a special champagne, so celebrate love with Champagne Drappier Clarevallis, a refined cuvée defined by purity and understated elegance. Crafted from organically farmed vines on the limestone slopes of Urville, it offers fine persistent bubbles with delicate notes of elderflower and violet. Perfect for an intimate dinner or as a thoughtful gift Clarevallis is available for £54 from The Finest Bubble and other fine wine stores.
And of course, if you aren’t planning to eat out, there are brilliant value meal deals in our supermarkets. Launching on 9 February, the Tesco Finest Valentine’s Dine In range includes one starter, one main, two sides, one dessert and one drink for two, for £20 with a Tesco Clubcard. This year, the deal includes two sides instead of one, giving more choice when building our meal. Tesco also offers a £15 Valentine’s Day Dine In option, available in Express stores. This includes one main, one side, one dessert and one drink, making it ideal for last minute plans.
Asda’s meal deal is amazing value: at just £12, shoppers can choose one starter, one main, two sides, one dessert and one drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic included) from an impressive range of 46 products.
Marks and Spencer’s come up trumps with three courses plus a drink for just £25, (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options). For the first time, the full Valentine’s Dine In is from M&S’s Collection range showcasing restaurant-quality dishes. Try King Prawn and Lobster Thermidor Gratins, Fillet Steak Beef Wellington with spring greens, and finish with a French cheese selection. Plus, a bottle of your choice – from classic Crémant de Bordeaux (so much nicer than Prosecco in my opinion) to Fizzero, the 0% sparkling alternative. There are pescatarian, vegan, veggie and GF options available too.
The Seasoned Gastronome