A Very British Valentine’s Day
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Do they celebrate valentines day in the UK?
Of course! Valentine’s Day is just as huge for couples in the UK as it is in the US.
Restaurants are often booked well in advance for the special occasion. Couples give small gifts of chocolates, jewellery, small stuffed animals and flowers. Baked goods, often in the shape of hearts, are also common.
Thankfully for parents, Primary school children don't typically trade small cards as they do in the United States. Sometimes children make heart-shaped crafts for parents.
Are there any special valentine's day traditions in the UK?
Absolutely!
Wales has a lovely holiday called Saint Dwynwen’s Day. While this isn’t expressly Valentine’s Day, it’s very much like it.
This falls on January 25th rather than February 14th! St Dwynwen (or Dwyn or Donwen) was a beautiful Welsh princess who was unlucky in love and became a nun who prayed for lovers.
You can read more about her sad story here:
https://www.visitwales.com/info/history-heritage-and-traditions/st-dwynwens-day
A traditional gift on this day is wooden spoons but couples give each other sweets as well.
In Norfolk in England, there is the legend of Jack Valentine.
The legend is that Jack is something of a cheeky Valentines elf (a la Santa) who leaves gifts on front doorsteps or porches. Of course, gifts aren't always good. Sometimes people get coal or meaningless trinkets.
You can read more about it here: https://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/article/jack-valentine-the-norfolk-legend/
In Sussex, Valentine's day is sometimes known as ‘the Birds’ Wedding Day’.
This is a reference to a poem by Geoffrey Chaucer, who writes in his “Parliament of Foules“:
“For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day
Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.”
This sparked the concept of “love birds”!.
What British Valentines gifts can you give in the US?
Here are our top 10 recommendations!
1. Chocolate Roses
Can’t decide between chocolate and roses? You don’t have to!
Roses are available year-round but are pretty popular during Valentine’s day.
Cadbury is the most popular brand of chocolate in the UK and they’re based right outside of Birmingham.
2. Dr. Who Biscuit (Cookie) Jar
Why give just cookies when you can give a filled cookie jar?! Fans of Dr. Who will LOVE this Tardis cookie jar (or biscuit jar in British English)!
Pair this fun Tardis jar with shortbread, tea cakes or another lovely British biscuit. What would Dr. Who lik
3. Perfume / Cologne
If the Brits do one thing right, for me, it’s scents! Here are my favourites.
First up is Jo Malone, a darling of the fragrance world. I’ve worn this one for years. It’s fresh, bright, a littler herbaceous, a little citrusy and somehow both classic and unique.
Next up is hands down the best place to buy cologne in the UK. If you’re able to visit the Covent Garden store one day, it’s really worth a trip.
I’m EXTREMELY particular about cologne and this is the very first company to make literally dozens of scents that I love.
This one is a bit of a new classic and is a fresh, slightly masculine scent.
4. Baking Cook Book
Does your valentine binge watch the Great British Baking Show? If so, this will be the perfect gift (alongside a sponge cake, of course)!
There are a good handful of Great British Bake Off cook books but this one is particularly suited to Valentine’s Day because of the bright red raspberries on the cover and the word LOVE jumps out to the reader.
5. Lotions and Potions
The Body Shop is the UK’s high street favourite for affordable beauty. And body butter is the Body’s Shop’s spotlight product!
If you haven’t tried body butter yet, it’s essentially an intense moisturiser. It’s whipped, smooth and smells divine.
6. Cufflinks
Looking for a sophisticated gift? Look no further! Cufflinks are affordable jewellery for a man or a woman.
This particular pair of cufflinks is made by Paul Smith who is known for playful designs.
The fountain pen shape is classic enough to be worn in the office and just unusual enough to show some personality.
7. Luxury Shaving
Men’s self care has come a long way in the past decade. However, some of the best is still a bit old school. Try this tried and true shaving kit.
This suggested shaving cream is made for sensitive skin. There are some brands that claim to be suitable for sensitive skin but will cause redness or breakouts. This isn’t one of them! I know several people who have used this very successfully with sensitive skin.
8. Magical Chocolate
For Harry Potter fans, you won’t go wrong with a small gift of magical chocolate!
This might be paired with a lovely Harry Potter Valentine’s Day card.
9. Romantic Poetry
Share how you feel with a book of romantic poetry for your bookwork valentine!
This book contains some select British poets and a few others.
10. Tea - The alternative to sweets
This fetching, reusable tin filled with perfect Harrod’s tea is a wonderful gift for a valentine who doesn’t have a sweet tooth!
