It’s Valentine’s Day soon and we’ve stocked up on plenty of love tokens to suit every budget, whether you’re out to make a grand gesture to your favourite gardener, or want to mail a card from a secret admirer!
Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day does offer an ‘official’ opportunity to remind your favourite people that you love them. Whether you decide it’s the day to send a secret card, make them a cup of tea, whisk them out somewhere special or take the knee to ask them ‘The Question’, it remains an annual tradition that around 40 million of us here in UK continue to celebrate.
A brief history of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day has its origins in both ancient Roman and Christian traditions. The most popular legend traces it back to Saint Valentine, a priest who lived in Rome during the 3rd century. Emperor Claudius II had banned young men from marrying, believing single men made better soldiers. Valentine defied the order and secretly performed marriages. He was eventually caught and executed on February 14, around 269 AD.
Another theory links Valentine’s Day to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated on February 15. It was a fertility festival that included rituals to promote love and matchmaking. Over time, the Catholic Church may have Christianised the holiday, associating it with Saint Valentine.
By the 14th and 15th centuries, thanks to poets like Geoffrey Chaucer, Valentine’s Day became linked to romantic love. By the 18th century, it evolved into a day of expressing affection with handwritten notes, and by the 19th century, printed Valentine’s cards became popular.
Today, Valentine’s Day still celebrates love and affection, observed worldwide with gifts, cards, and romantic gestures.
At Hildreth’s Cook and Gift Shop (did you know we now have a LIFT?), we’ve prepped a little area dedicated to love tokens! Here you’ll find a curated collection of novelty gifts and cards we hope you’ll like. This is in addition to all the other brilliant present options we have in store, including gorgeous cushions, jewellery, mugs and heart-shaped cookware from Le Creuset.
For animal lovers, there’s a whole range of gift ideas, including animal-themed ceramics, socks, trays, notebooks and Emma Bridgewater treat tins. We also have a fragrant range of scented candles, diffusers and skin care, plus an unrivalled range of cooks’ essentials and kitchen gadgets they never knew they needed!
And of course, don’t forget to cross the car park and into the Garden Centre to pick up a treat or two for your favourite gardener. Maybe a new rake is the Valentine’s gesture they’re longing for? (who are we to judge?). Our country clothing emporium, Country Threads, also has a fantastic range of would-be love gifts for outdoor explorers.
Take a quick look at some of our Valentine’s gift ideas…
Are you following us on social yet? Catch more tips from Gareth there! And don’t forget to sign up to our monthly newsletter and follow our socials for more news and offers.
If you have time, please leave us a Google Review here. We’re independent and family-run so we’d really appreciate it.