Forget Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day usually plays out on a continuous strip of repeated traditions year after year after year.
Besides Champagne, I think I’ve been giving and receiving the same things every Valentine’s Day since I was a child. If this holiday is truly a celebration of love—something that I think we probably need more of now than ever before in recent history—then give your loved ones gifts that are a bit more thoughtful this year. Please find below a few suggestions.
If you give chocolate, I think you should buy the best chocolate that you can afford. Yes, you’ll taste the difference. My family is crazy about Jacques Torres’ Netflix cooking show Nailed It and I’ve been a fan of his chocolates since he opened his first shop nearly 20 years ago. For Valentine’s Day, I suggest giving his aptly named Happily Ever Gift Set ($100), which includes 24 bonbons, chocolate Xs and Os and an oversized chocolate plaque and even a card. (He also sells most of these confections separately.)