Sick of Chocolate? – Valentine’s Day Alternatives
Usually, a girl will receive a heart shaped box of assorted chocolates with a card, balloons and flowers. She’ll be taken out to dinner with a romantic movie to follow. All of that is really thoughtful and really sweet, but there are alternatives to making your girl happy rather than the cookie cutter Valentine’s day.
If your girl has a very cultural yet expensive palate (think Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl), opt for getting her a box of French Macarons. Macarons are a buttercream meringue like filling sandwiched between two “cookies.” They are quite small, six will probably do, and they come in various colors and flavors. I know what you’re probably thinking. Where am I supposed to buy these? Easy. Amélie’s French Bakery in NoDa sells various flavors of them individually. If you’re skeptical about not enough variety in your choice, then just get her an assortment of French pastries-who doesn’t love choices? If your of age, top the evening with a bottle of champagne. If you’re committed to the whole French experience, rent a French film such as Breathless, Cyrano de Bergerac or An American in Paris. This will make for a very unique Valentine’s night. They do say French is the language of love, ya know…
Maybe your girl has more of a simple taste. Get her an Edible Arrangement! Edible Arrangements are bouquets of fresh fruit (of which you have the option to have them dipped in chocolate to create a smooth shell around the fruit) that come in an actual pot that are reminiscent of something you might see in a garden. You have the option to have a boxed arrangement as well. Edible Arrangements range in price from $25 to &69 and you can have them delivered to that special someone($12 delivery charge) or pick it up from the nearest Edible Arrangement shop. Fresh fruit is delivered to the locations everyday, so you’ll never have to question the freshness of the bouquet you’re giving to your loved one. They’re usually very big arrangements, so if you’re lucky she won’t be hesitant to share with you.
You can't go wrong buying your significant other baked goods from Amelie's French Bakery. Photo/Scarlett Newman
Does you’re gal appreciate the little things in life? If you answered yes, then maybe you should should try your hand at some culinary arts and make her treats! Don’t make her the typical batch of cookies or brownies though. It’s Valentine’s day aka you’re one day (with an official title) to impress her. Chocolate is a well known aphrodisiac, so you’ll want to use quite a bit of this. Try your hand at something off the wall like Chocolate Chip Oreo cookies. It’s literally an oreo surrounded by cookie dough. Very unhealthy, very strange but very decadent. The Alexander McQueen of cookies. Another suggestion would be a rainbow layered cake. Seven colors in the rainbow means seven layers in the cake! It’s looks really difficult (which will impress her) but it’s actually quite simple and very time consuming, so you’ll need to plan ahead if you’re going to conquer this masterpiece. Another quick and simple sweet to prepare for her are Beignets (made famous at the Cafe du Monde in New Orleans) These French doughnuts can be prepared in five minutes. The mix can be bought at most supermarkets, if not you can order it off of the Cafe du Monde website. These are deep-fried, so please be cautious! once they’re done, sprinkle them with powdered sugar pop them in an fancy box, put a bow on it (or even a ring on it if you’re feeling a bit like Beyoncé) and go ahead and gift them. They are usually served with coffee or tea.
Of course if you aren’t daring enough to do any of these, don’t worry. I’m sure she’ll be satisfied with her box of assorted chocolates and her 12 dozen roses. I mean, it is the thought that counts right? Have a happy Valentine’s day!
