Valentine’s Day is one of those occasions that divide: you either love it or you don’t. Some people say that Valentine’s Day, as it is celebrated today, is just an invention of flower vendors. Others like to reminisce about its more romantic origins: Saint Valentine, patron of lovers.
Saint Valentine of Rome lived in the third century AD. It is said that he was known for gifting couples with flowers from his garden. He also married lovers in the Christian tradition – by which he violated the express prohibition of the Roman emperor. At the time, couples were not allowed to marry because Christianity was banned as a religion. Although Valentine also had a high reputation with Emperor Claudius II, he could not escape the hardest punishment and was executed on February 14, 269 in Rome. It is said that, shortly before he was executed, he sent the daughter of his judge with whom he was secretly in love, a farewell card signed “Your Valentine”. An act believed to be at the origin of the Valentine’s Day ritual of exchanging handwritten love notes.
There are reports about another Saint Valentine from Italy and it is unclear whether the beforementioned Saint Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni were one and the same person. If not, the legends of the two are entwined and shape today’s image of Saint Valentine’s Day. As a bishop in Rome, Valentin of Terni is said to have helped and cured many sick people which enticed them to adopt the Christian faith. Therefore, he is said to have been executed as a martyr – like Valentin of Rome – in 268 or 269.
The Christian martyrs were later canonized by the church. In 496 AD, 200 years after Valentine’s death, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 the “Valentine’s Day”.
Gradually, the 14th February became the “Day of Lovers”, an occasion for secret worshipers to reveal their love to their sweethearts. Couples exchanged love letters and small gifts such as flowers and chocolates. Especially in the UK and in the USA, Valentine’s Day has a long tradition. In England, it is customary to send anonymous love letters. In the US, the teenagers send secret greetings cards with love messages. Those who receive most of these messages are considered to be the “most sought after”.
Valentine’s Day. Is it a good thing, is it a bad thing? We don’t know. But what we do know is that some of the cool brands we love offer great products that might help you make this special day even more special. Here are some ideas on what to offer your beloved and how to spend a romantic day on 14th February and beyond! What’s more, they are all proposed by local businesses. So not only will you do yourself some good but also the planet and you help an entrepreneur flourish!
Love to eat? Idea: romantic fondue dinner!
On Valentine’s Day, most restaurants offer special menus and will be overcrowded with dining couples. That is not at all your thing and you prefer to stay in? Why not surprise your beloved with a Wyssmüller Création Fondue evening? Have your “Make-your-own-Romance” kit in form of a Gourmet Gift Box from Les Fondues Wyssmüller delivered in the comfort of your home! This specific gift box contains 400g Wyssmüller Création Fondue, 1 small bottle of Chasselas for cooking the fondue with, 300g Gruyère AOP Sensation, aged for 26 months and 250g Vacherin Fribourgeois AOP Sensation, aged for 5 months. Price: CHF 42.00. All you have to add are roses! 😉 The advantage over dining out: just the two of you, your own place, your music and you can stay as long as you like… and, is being together and indulging in the moment not the essence of Valentine’s Day? And because We ❤️ You, there even is a special offer for the Coolbrandz Community: 20% off cheese fondues at wyssmueller.ch with the Code CBZxLFW.
Sweets for my sweet: jewellery, as sweet as candy
Valentine’s Day, a romantic dinner or a weekend getaway… There are many good reasons to wear a beautiful piece of jewellery to sublime those moments that make life so precious. Bombom Bijoux creates the sweetest jewellery. It is inspired by candies and cakes and makes for a wonderful present that you can offer a loved one, a friend or yourself at any time. This year, Bombom Bijoux created a special Valentine’s collection. Rich in Xs and Os, the unique items invite you to throw kindness around like confetti, to LOVE yourself and each other. You will find rings to wear on any finger, bracelets that let you double down on style and necklaces that keep love close to your heart. There is a Sugar Opal Heart Necklace in Sterling Silver 925 or gold plated Sterling Silver 925 with Opal stones, a Sugar Rose Gold Necklace adorned with Zircon, a Sugar Heart Bracelet and a Sugar Love Necklace that says it all: L.O.V.E. Give LOVE, get LOVE! It’s as simple as that! Find out more about Bombom Bijoux here >>>
Say it with chocolate!
Did you know that, according to Chocosuisse, the Association of Swiss Chocolate Manufacturers, the annual per capita chocolate consumption in Switzerland is 10.5 kg? Well, all you chocoholics out there, rejoice! Max Chocolatier offers a Chocolate Subscription allowing you to receive a surprise box filled with the most delicious, handmade Swiss chocolate every month. Plättli, pralines, truffles, chocolate bars… the delicious sweets have always been a popular Valentine’s Day gift. Add flowers and Champagne – et voilà – the perfect treat for your sweet! More about Max Chocolatier right here >>>
Bepure natural cosmetics, LOVE your skin
Bepure is one of my personal LOVE brands; not only for the elegance, quality, and benefits of their products but also for their business ethics: Bepure skincare is 100% natural, vegan, cruelty-free, Ecocert labelled, Faitrade sourced and socially responsible. The founders, Kathleen and Fabian, are a couple, mum and dad to two small boys. Their shared love for Morocco and its people is at the origin of their startup. When travelling the country, they were looking for ways to build a bridge between Morocco and Switzerland. When they met with Berber women producing argan oil, the idea for bepure was born. This collaboration secures jobs and fair pay for several Berber women. The oils are bottled and labelled in Winterthur in collaboration with the city’s work integration centre. bepure products are a great gift that you can give to yourself or someone you love with a good conscience at any time. Find out more here >>>
In the mood for LOVE
No other occasion says JEWELLERY! like Valentine’s Day. But that is just once a year. What about all the other days? Would it not be super cool if you had a ring whose allure you could change way beyond the big VDay? A piece of jewellery that you can personalise, that helps you express your feelings, show the many facets of your personality or shine the light on a special occasion. Well, mood is such a piece of jewellery. It can be precious, sweet, fun or crazy. You decide. And it is a gift that keeps on giving because you can add pieces over time. Mood is a gift that both men and women will enjoy. It is unisex, androgynous and very puristic. You can choose from different sizes and materials. Every year for Valentine’s Day – and beyond – mood issues a special series of addons. Below a selection of the newest ones. We already featured mood several times on the blog. You can read up about the brand here >>>
Hotel Beau-Rivage Geneva: Celebrate the month of LOVE
Does a romantic getaway tickle your fancy? Why take the plane, if within an hour or so you can bridge the mythical Röstigraben and completely change the scenery? Located on the shores of Lake Léman, Geneva is an attractive tourist destination. It is easy to access by car or by public transport and offers visitors not only spectacular sights but also many interesting things to do… without the downsides of mass tourism. Geneva is home to several outstanding 5-Star hotels, one of which is the Beau-Rivage, a luxury hotel with a unique style and one of the finest gourmet restaurants in Geneva, Le Chat Botté, awarded 18/20 by Gault&Millau and a Michelin star. Just recently, our Bombom Bijoux girls Ana and Nicole went to discover the hotel’s special offers for February, the month of love.
Recipe for LOVE: a colourful Valentine’s Day dinner for two ♥
Going out or eating at home … that is often the question. What if you could stay in and dine as you would in a restaurant? Why not surprise your favourite person with a home-cooked 3-course meal and spend a really romantic evening à la casa? We asked Sara from Sara’s Healthy Kitchen to create a “Dinner for Two” recipe for us. Unbelievable, what she came up with! A healthy three-course menu full of flavours and colours… We hope it inspires you to get creative in the kitchen yourself. In addition, you can shine with wine knowledge! Each course is paired with one of the Obrist YOLO wines. For the full recipe go here >>>