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Yet another Valentine’s Day is here. For some of you, this one may be a completely different reality from last year as you navigate a painful break-up or celebrate a new and joyful love.
Valentine’s Day is shrouded in the mystery that is Saint Valentine, with a few varied legends surrounding the saint, one noting him as a priest who served in third-century Rome.
When Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men so that they could fight in the wars, Valentine (who had already angered the authorities by ministering to condemned Christians) defied him and married young lovers secretly – an action for which he was viciously beaten and beheaded. He was later canonised.
READ: How Shudufhadzo will be celebrating Valentine’s Day ahead of Miss World
According to legend, while imprisoned and awaiting his fate, he fell in love with his jailer’s daughter and would sign his letters to her “from your Valentine” –the phrase still used today around the world.
St Valentine’s heroism aside, it is nice to have a day solely dedicated to romance. However, finding a suitable gift if you have not planned beforehand can be difficult – so here are some suggestions for presents with which to surprise your significant other at dinner.
Let us start off with the classics.
SWEETS FOR THE SWEET
Chocolate is always a good way to show the person you love that you are thinking of them.
It is also one of the easiest gifts to get, but why not take it up a notch by creating a chocolate basket for your sweetheart? Clicks has a three-for-two sale on confectionery.
BLING IT ON
Diamonds are a girl’s best friends: the silver fancy Singapore 19cm bracelet from Edgars (edgars.co.za) has been discounted to just R1 100.
A diamond presented to your lover over a romantic, candlelit donner is sure to set the mood for a very special occasion.
MEET ME IN THE BEDROOM, BABY!
Sex and intimacy are a big part of romantic relationships – as long as you do not make Valentine’s Day all about sex and nothing else. If you are tired of buying her lingerie, take your bedroom experience up a notch with Amazon’s Liberator Wedge intimate sex positioning pillow in grey, Health & Household.
Alternatively, consider buying Intimacy on the Plate: 200+ Aphrodisiac Recipes to Spice Up Your Love Life at Home Tonight by Olga Petrenko and Gregory Diehl.
Better still, make one of these erotic dishes for your Valentine’s dinner. After all, they say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach! Barcode 9781945884023 from Amazon.com. What is great about this book is that it is sure to heat things up on any day of the year – not just Valentine’s Day.
LOVE AT FIRST SCENT
Do you love the thrill of the chase and crave the exhilarating game of attraction? Scents can be a good way to get the ball rolling, but not just any fragrance: Avon has two irresistible, new fragrances on the market called Attraction Game (one for him and one for her, avon.co.za). They each contain ingredients said to elicit pleasure, stimulate the mind and tempt the senses.
Whichever gift you choose, if you can also find a red rose or two (either at a florist or in your garden), that is always a beautiful accompaniment.
While last-minute gifting is never an ideal situation, it sometimes cannot be avoided, because life happens. However, you can still show your significant other that you have been thinking of them in interesting and fun ways.
Love should always be celebrated, but Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to go above and beyond for your loved one.
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