It seems like Christmas and New Years were just last week and now Valentine's Day is looming on the horizon. I've often said that homemade gifts are the best, because you can really personalize them and they have heart built right in. The perfect Valentines gift for me is a simple equation: Thoughtfulness + a little effort = success! If you knit fast using chunky wool and big needles you can knit a scarf for your honey bunny just in time for Feb 14th or you could get creative and paint a little pottery (real men paint pottery too-it's been said).
A wonderful solution is to get a gift made by someone else and in our area we have so many talented artisans that it could be hard to choose. For example, start with chocolate that is home made by Master Chocolatier Mark Aarden from Aarden's Chocolates in Stayner. A visit to the Candy Factory in Collingwood will give you lots and lots of sweet indulgence to choose from. There is a sweetheart in our household that always manages to score some Orange Creams for V-Day. If fudge tops the list of ‘must get for Feb 14th' then a visit to either Grandma's Beach Treats in the East or the Ravenna Country Market on top of the Escarpment will satisfy that craving and if your sweetheart is of the healthy, vegan, GMO free variety there is always the wonderful Collingwood Community Food Co-op that has all sorts of healthy stuff - yes even candy!
Have you considered giving artwork or a one of a kind piece of jewellery as a Valentine's gift? Four must visit galleries are Bonnie Dorgelo's gallery and studio on Pine Street in Collingwood where you're sure to find a unique piece of jewellery that could possibly make you a Valentine's Day hero, The Loft Gallery in Clarksburg and the Arts Centre in Collingwood or Bright's Gallery in the Blue Mountain Village.
If you're going to opt for the tried and true and send flowers you can kick it up a notch in the floral department and give Abigail Hitchens a call at Petals in Thyme for a truly stunning Valentine's Day arrangement.
If you've got a fashionista on your list then a visit to Christie's Clothing is just the ticket for classic fashions and Echo Trends in Collingwood on Pine Street has a huge selection of trendy ladies wear. For the sporty types then a visit to One Tooth in either the Blue Mountain Village or Cranberry Mews for all kinds of stretchy stuff. Julia's Walk-in-Closet in the Blue Mountain Village has some really cute fashions for both men and women andThe Style Boutique in Wasaga is great for all sizes. For a more daring fashion statementTingle in the Blue Mountain Village is having a huge sale - oh la la is all I can say.
If you're planning on dining out here is a complete list of all of the Amazing Restaurants in the area (make your reservations soon). Watch our facebook page in the coming weeks as we showcase some of the special Valentine's menus that our wonderful area chefs are creating
Whatever you choose start thinking now because a little forethought and creativity will go a long long way. Hmmmm a romantic snowshoe at Scenic Caves is topping my list of activities to do with my Sweetheart wonder if he'll read this newsletter and surprise me.
Happy V-Day!
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