Written By Vicki Anzmann
More than a century ago Elizabeth Barrett Browning posed, “How do I love thee?” and offered, “Let me count the ways.” Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to answer that question and express one’s love. Rather than settle for a pedestrian method of articulating one’s affection this year, why not try a more creative approach? Here are some out-of-the-ordinary suggestions to get you started. Lead with your heart and you can’t go wrong.
Charming One may have to kiss a lot of frogs, but Prince Charming has finally arrived. Handsome collectible frog prince trinket box by Monet has a hinged opening for storing small treasures. $22, Boscov’s Westminster Town Mall, 400 North Center Street, Westminster, MD 21157, 410-751-6660.
Give Your Heart Away Give a beautiful hand-flamed glass heart to convey loving thoughts. Vivid ribbons of color in the glass catch the eye. Small, $26, medium, $38, large, $52, Ain’t That a Frame, 31 W. Main Street, Westminster, 410-876-3096.
Deliciously Loving One can hardly fail with sweets, especially chocolate, the quintessential Valentine treat. Known for beautiful and imaginative cakes, Starry Night Bakery offers scrumptious chocolate raspberry ganache hearts ($5.25, serves 2) and sugar hearts (buttery soft sugar cookies glazed in a variety of romantic colors, $2.50); both can be personalized with an inscription. Also for Valentine’s Day, Six-inch Valentine cake (chocolate cake and buttercream icing, $16.95), Starry Night Bakery and Coffeehouse, 330 One Forty Village Rd, Westminster, 410-871-9131, www.starrynightbakery.com.
Blooming Love Pretty fragrant paperwhites and bold red amaryllis will demonstrate one’s affection. Grow these beauties indoors long before the outside growing season with the complete kit from Lowe’s, including decorative pot, flower bulb(s), and the potting medium. Also available in a pretty felt gift bag. Kit only, $5.23, with felt gift bag, $6.49, Lowe’s, 777 Market St., Westminster, 410-857-7445.
Treasure Box Vibrant red, black, and white hues and a shiny lacquer finish distinguish this beautiful keepsake box from Mexico. Remove the interlocking lid to store special treasures. $29.00, SERRV, 500 Main St., New Windsor, 410-635-8711, www.serrv.org.
Old School Lockets are a classic and particularly Victorian symbol of love, with the inner compartment opening to reveal the object of one’s affection. This etched sterling silver locket on an 18-inch sterling silver chain is made by artisans in Nepal. Gifts from SERRV, a nonprofit Fair Trade Organization, benefit artisans and farmers in developing countries. (SERRV’s mission) Heartfelt Locket, $48.00, SERRV, 500 Main St., New Windsor, 410-635-8711, www.serrv.org.
Pure Whimsy Fanciful and artistic greeting cards are another way to express Valentine feelings. There are many choices at Ain’t That a Frame, which offers a large selection of imaginative and unusual cards. Dimensional Art Cards are dynamic and three-dimensional. Fiber Arts Cards by Earlene McNeil Larsen are three dimensional and whimsical and crafted of paper made from old corduroy pants. Embossed with hand-sculpted dyes, Carole’s Rose Garden Cards offer unique designs. Featured $3.50 – $16. Ain’t That a Frame, 31 W. Main Street, Westminster, 410-876-3096.
