Valentine's Day on a Budget

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. The shops are filled with a huge array of enticing products in reds and pinks, adorned with love hearts, flowers and romantic sentiments.  You could spend a fortune on your loved one on some huge novelty teddy bearing a giant plush heart, which will end up stuffed in the back of a cupboard by the end of the month.  Personally, I think the way to a man's heart (or indeed my heart) is through the stomach.  Nothing beats a fantastic meal with all the trimmings!

Valentine's Day to me, is an excuse to really push the boat out and celebrate through the medium of culinary excess!  However, I don't think it is a good idea to spend more than you can afford to treat your other half if money is tight.  You can enjoy a day of love on a budget.  This is where Aldi comes in.  They have a great selection of gifts, so whether you are looking for a subtle romantic gesture or wish to sweep your partner off their feet, look no further than Aldi for inspiration at fabulous prices!

This year, Aldi have sent me some items to help celebrate my Valentine's Day with Ian.  And if you are quick, you'll be able to get your hands on them in store in time for tomorrow night.

Chocolate and Fizz

Phillippe Michel Cremant du Jura Sparkling Chardonnay is a refreshingly dry vintage with citrus notes making it the perfect glass of fizz to drink a toast to love!  At just £6.99 for a bottle it is the perfect price too!

Moser Roth Finest Truffles are beautifully presented in a gift box.  Available in dark or milk, they are really indulgent and luxurious.  Each chocolate shell encases a deliciously rich truffle filling. For just £1.69 they are affordable luxury!

Fondue for Valentine's?

For a fun dessert for two, nothing surpasses the pleasures of molten chocolate.  Aldi are selling a brilliant chocolate melting pot for making fabulous fondue.  How romantic would it be too dip ripe, red strawberries into melted chocolate and feed them to each other!  Or even use the shaped moulds that are included to make your Valentine some home made chocolate hearts!  The set comes complete with a removable pan, base unit, spatula, skewers, a cooling rack and heart shaped moulds.  It is electric, so no need to mess about with matches or open flames...just plug it in, switch on and chocolate heaven awaits.  At £12.99 this is an excellent value set that will come into its own time and time again. It would make an excellent gift.  Get it while stocks last!!

For making pralines or chocolate treats.

Aldi are also stocking a great selection of silicone bakeware while stocks last.  I was sent a large heart shaped silicone pan in red and I am going to be using it to make a heart shaped strawberry and cream sponge.  I'll be posting how I get on with it tomorrow!  At just £2.99, the range also includes a six whole muffin pan to make gorgeous heart shaped cup cakes for your other half.

Heart-shaped Pan

So be quick!  Pop to your nearest Aldi tomorrow and pick up some bargains for Valentine's Day.  They also have amazing red rose bouquets with a dozen roses for just £5.  The premium bunch at £15 is exquisite.  Either one will definitely make someone's day and is so affordable.  A single red rose is just £1.50, so everyone can afford to be romantic tomorrow!

A Guide to Gift Buying for the Lady in Your Life

Christmas has been and gone leaving in its wake a lot of extremely happy women whose husbands got their presents spot on, alongside a lot of disappointed ladies with partners who got it all wrong!  I was lucky.  I got a beautiful diamond ring from my husband which has earned him lots of gold stars to take into 2012!  But I've heard of friends receiving gifts that are much less thoughtful...a steam iron, pyjamas that were two sizes too big, a Justin Bieber CD (yes, really!) and a jar of hair removal cream are just a few of the less well received presents that have passed hands over the festive season!

When will men learn that however much we say we don't want anything, we are always however hoping deep down that our husbands or boyfriends will deliver a thoughtful gift to express their feelings for us!  It is not the value of the gift, but the thought that has gone into it and what it represents that really counts.

There is an easy answer to this age old problem.  Interflora have a fantastic range of gifts for her which offers a choice of beautiful, thoughtful presents including personalised items, as well as amazing bouquets.  They are all available to order online, many with next day delivery.  So even if a special date is forgotten, there is still time to get anniversary gifts  or birthday gifts delivered at short notice!

Who could resist this gift being delivered to your door?  A gorgeous tin of delicious Biscuiteers Personalised Love Heart Biscuits would definitely put a smile on my face!

Or how about a Divine Elegance Gift Set filled with a wonderful selection of extravagances such as elderflower vodka liquer and a scent diffuser.  Definitely a gift that would delight the most discerning recipient!

Being Interflora, the flower experts, there are loads of amazing bouquets to pick from.  With beautiful flowers in hand tied arrangements in an array of amazing and vibrant colours, you are sure to find the perfect bunch for the lady in your life.  So loved ones, wives, girlfriends, sisters, mums, grans or friends, will not fail to be delighted if they receive a floral gift.  Just look at this bouquet, the Rainforest Alliance Tropical hand tied arrangement.  It would brighten up anyone's day!

So if you are looking for an original gift for the woman in your life, or if you want to drop a hint to your husband when your birthday or anniversary is approaching, look no further than Interflora.  Whether you want to buy traditional flowers or get something a little more unusual, Interflora has the perfect present for any lucky lady!