Lifestyle
Giving with love: Valentine's Day in lockdown
· Updated: · 6 min read
The coronavirus crisis is currently restricting many aspects of our lives. The lockdown is set to continue until at least mid-February. This means, of course, that Valentine’s Day will be very different this year – but don’t worry: we’ve put together some tips and ideas to help ensure that the day of love is still a great success for you and your loved ones. All you need are these gift ideas and a bit of luck in our competition!
Wellness in your own bathroom
This year, you can simply bring a classic Valentine’s Day gift into your own home: with a spa day at home, you can finally recharge your batteries. For the spa experience, all you need is a lovely hot bath and the right ‘extras’. With the “Egyptian Milk & Honey Bath” set, you can kick off some relaxation for two – or even on your own – and immerse yourself in the world of the pharaohs. If you don’t fancy following in the footsteps of Ramses & Co., you can round off your bath with a “bath bomb”, such as the “Chill Pills” from Ouai. The name says it all: these bath bombs contain nourishing oils and help you unwind. To complete your wellness day, you can transform your bathroom into a real spa oasis with a room fragrance.
Let’s raise a glass: a fine wine for Valentine’s Day
If you’d rather have a fine wine in your glass than a bath full of relaxation, you can treat your loved one to a lovely bottle of wine on Valentine’s Day. After all, the nectar of the vine is considered the “drink of the gods” – and Cupid mustn’t be missing on the day of love, of course. The wine packages from the Winzergemeinschaft Franken eG (GWF) offer a wide selection of high-quality wines: From all Franconian regions and wine-growing areas along the Main, the multi-award-winning winegrowers’ cooperative offers white wine, red wine and its own sparkling wine or Sekt. To help you become a real sommelier whilst working from home, we are giving away three tasting packs – each containing four bottles of wine and an online wine tasting session – in collaboration with the Franconian Winegrowers’ Association and the GWF. Read below to find out how to enter the competition. Do you immediately think of Silvaner when you hear ‘Franconia’? That’s right, which is why you’ll find two examples of this traditional Franconian grape variety in the competition package. Firstly, the 2020 Randersackerer Ewig Leben Silvaner Kabinett dry from one of Franconia’s most famous vineyards. An excellent example of a modern Silvaner style, which comes across as incredibly fresh. Also included in the package is a 2019 Hammelburger Heroldsberg Silvaner Kabinett dry. The extra year of ageing suits it well; it is more mineral and, with its typically Franconian dry character, is no less a delight to drink. These are joined by a 2019 Wiesenbronner Wachhügel Pinot Blanc Kabinett dry, whose grapes come from the Gypsum Keuper soils of the western foothills of the Steigerwald – this terroir lends it more intense aromas and a little ‘extra’ in every respect. The finale is a 2019 Wipfelder Zehntgraf Pinot Gris Spätlese dry. A powerful wine with an enormous mouthfeel that lingers for a very long time.A sweet surprise
The delicious contents of the Valentine’s treat box by Daniel Ambratis, who worked as a pastry expert in the Michelin-starred kitchen of the Süllberg in Hamburg, also offer a very special taste experience. Handmade pralines and macarons, a salted caramel brownie and the chocolate heart that can be personalised with a name leave nothing to be desired. In addition, a bottle of Grand Cru champagne and a handwritten Valentine’s Day card can be ordered on request to complete the gift. And best of all: we’re giving away a Valentine’s treat box in our competition below! If you don’t want to leave it to chance, you can order this sweet gift by email (daniel@stressfrei-hamburg.de) or via our online shop.
Treat yourself this Valentine’s Day
Who says you absolutely have to give a gift to someone else on the day of love? We’re convinced that this year, you should treat yourself too! How about a Tom Ford wallet, for example? This eye-catching Italian leather piece is of the highest quality and stands out from the crowd in style with its golden emblem! Owners of MONTBLANC’s wireless designer headphones can say the same: this eye-catching noise-cancelling model is made in Germany and pairs easily with your mobile via Bluetooth. If you’re looking for a stylish companion for the cold days of February, you’ll find what you’re looking for in FRAAS’s scarves. Whether made from cashmere, pure wool or in a sustainable version using recycled fibres, these accessories complete any gentleman’s winter look.Michelin-starred cuisine at home
Don’t want to miss out on a candlelit dinner on Valentine’s Day despite restaurants being closed? Then it’s time to put your own cooking skills to the test at home! However, if you’re lacking inspiration in the kitchen, you can’t go wrong with Gourmetbox meal kits. You’ll receive three delicious meals for two or four people delivered right to your door. There are three menus to choose from: with the Chef’s Box, you can conjure up a hearty meal straight from a Michelin-starred kitchen; the Veggie Box offers a completely meat-free experience; and for those looking to cut down on carbohydrates this year, there’s the Low-Carb Box.
