It’s almost February. Christmas is behind us, the tree is down, the ornaments safely packed away for another year. With gray clouds, possibly some snow or showers moving in, Valentine’s Day comes along to brighten up the letdown after the swirl of Christmas activity. The groundhog has already made an appearance in my yard and IGA is selling pansies, so can spring be far behind? 

I’m looking for some creative ideas for the Valentine’s holiday, so I go to the internet and discover some interesting ideas. Wouldn’t it be fun to start your family’s day by tying a red heart shaped balloon on each chair at the breakfast table? Then serve a bowl of strawberries with chocolate hearts mixed in for a “sweet” beginning to the day. For a “good morning” surprise, mix a few nostalgic, conversation hearts in with everyone’s bowl of cereal.

Find a simple mason jar and use red and pink nail polish to paint hearts on the side. Fill the jar with red and white roses to decorate your dinner table. For dessert make some brownies. Then frost the brownies with white icing and decorate with red sprinkles or red hot heart candies.

Want to gift a best friend? Use a red pen to make a tag saying “Glad that we are friends” and tie onto a bag of chocolate chip cookies that have been colored red.

Looking for a more traditional gift for that special someone in your life? Schedule  a trip to downtown Landrum and check out the variety of shops here, waiting to be explored. Landrum’s downtown business association is gearing up for their February Love Landrum event. Shops will be decorated for the holiday to add to the fun.

I recently spent an afternoon visiting a few shops and can share some ideas. Looking for an “out of the ordinary” Valentine’s gift? Swing around the corner at Hwy. 14 and 176. Park behind Lavender Sage and go inside for a visit with Cynthia Harris. Cynthia opened Lavender Sage two years ago with a focus on locally made gifts and repurposed items. A gift basket filled with handcrafted bath items would please a Valentine of any age, young or young at heart. Add a whimsical touch to your kitchen with a Valentine themed dishtowel or decorate the table with red letters spelling LOVE. With spring on the horizon, you might consider a handmade birdhouse, or for that special gardener, a beautiful garden bench.

A vase containing bright red amaryllis draws me into Sissy’s Boutique. A secret to pass along to women shoppers…Todd Cox will assist you in finding gifts that you would love and help you use your phone for a photo to send your husband, letting him know your “wish list.” And, as it can be uncomfortable for some men to enter the women’s world of boutique shopping, Todd can guide them to the perfect selection. Check out his line, Spartina, a South Carolina company featuring linen and leather handbags. Their “Emma” wallet size purses are all the rage and are available in a variety of colors and designs. Voluspa coconut wax candles are set in strikingly elegant containers that match the luscious scents such as Pomegranate/Blood Orange, Lavender/Chamomile, and Crane Flower-Bird of Paradise. Coconut wax is longer burning than paraffin, holds the scent longer, and is perfect for anyone allergic to paraffin. Along with a romantic candle, put together an assortment of Camille Beckman bath items to include lotion or a shower gel.

I stop in Covington & Company Jewelry to discover what they are recommending for Valentine’s Day. A display of pearl necklaces catches my eye. A traditional pearl necklace could be the perfect gift for this holiday. Martha Covington shows me some silver pieces that incorporate hearts into bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. One unusual necklace is designed by a company called Southern Gates. The collection is inspired by designs that were found in artistic iron gates, grilles, and balconies. We discover a pendant that uses hearts in the intricate scroll design. Another suggestion for a special gift that can delight the equestrian woman year round are pieces that celebrate horses pictured in earrings and pins.

Don’t forget Landrum’s wonderful restaurants. End your special day with a delicious dinner. Order a fabulous dessert to linger over with a glass of wine, or maybe sip a whipped cream covered hot chocolate to warm your heart.

Upon arriving home, to continue the Valentine mood, have the ideal CD ready to play. I suggest Paul McCartney’s “Kisses On The Bottom,” a cute title referring to putting kisses at the bottom of a letter. Appropriately featured on the album is “My Valentine.” As McCartney wrote: “My valentine; As days and nights would pass me by, I tell myself that I was waiting for a sign. Then she appeared, a love so fine. My valentine.” Happy Valentine’s Day!