Valentine’s made easy

Monday, February 6, 2012
3:30 PM

The red rose fest need not be cheesy or leave you in the red thanks to Ros Patching’s local ideas for showing your loved one you care

Do something…

Different

Scudamore’s Punting Company are offering Valentine couples a private chauffeured punt to drift along the College Backs, from dusk onwards, snuggled in blankets with hot water bottles supplied. There’s even a red rose included in the price. Call for details. 01223 359750.

Poetic

Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, who incidentally holds an honorary fellowship at Homerton College, has written a slender volume of love poems, aptly named ‘Love Poems’. It will go on speaking to your loved one’s very soul long after the red roses have turned all dull and crispy.

Green-ish

Instead of buying a bunch of plastic-wrapped imported flowers that someone else arranged, pop down to the market and buy a few bunches of British narcissus, wrap in coloured tissue paper, finished with a big ribbon. Accompany with a home-made card (you can do it if you try!) and prettily-wrapped chocolates (try Chocolat Chocolat, St Andrews St, CB2 3AX, 01223 778982) and you’ve got a top Valentine package with personal style.

Unexpected

Over to you… all I’m saying is that Cambridge Gliding Centre is offering Valentine Day gift voucher packages that will have your loved one’s heart (and all their other organs) literally soaring. glide.co.uk/trial-flight/valentines-day.aspx