You don’t have to be in the most romantic city in the world (or so they say) to appreciate love-themed gifts and videos for Valentine’s Day. Here’s a selection to turn an ordinary Hallmark holiday a little French.
Not everyone has the luxury of being in the city of love and lights for Valentine’s Day but to be honest, it’s no different than any other day of the year. The Eiffel Tower still sparkles for 10 minutes on the hour after sunset, bakers still rise at dawn to turn out the stream of baguettes and morning croissants, mopeds still weave dangerously in between bikers and mini cars, lovers still fight and the metro, unsurprisingly, still reeks of urine and dirty socks. Life continues as normal on the 14th –it just so happens that florists have their busiest day of the year, catering to all those unoriginal last-minute gift givers (looking at you, boys).
But aside from the clichéd bouquet of flowers and pitiful Hallmark cards, there’s nothing inherently wrong with celebrating love or the idea of love. With that, I’ve compiled a few gift ideas and videos to bring a smile to everyone’s face, whether they’re alone or in a relationship.
Paris in Pink by Little Brown Pen
The beauty of Paris lies in the union of colors and textures which is captured beautifully by Little Brown Pen’s color series. For a Valentine’s Day vibe, pick up the Pink set, a collection of four 5x5 original photos that will immediately transport you to Paris, no matter where you are. Not a fan of pink? Take a look at the red collection. Take 20% off for Valentine’s Day with the code IHEARTPARIS at checkout (on etsy).
Ladurée Valentine’s Day E-cards
So you won’t be receiving (or buying yourself) a box of colorful macaroons but you can send a Ladurée love greeting via email. It’s even complete with poor French to English translation (“Ladurée propose you to send an E-Card”), how cute!
Valentine’s Cards by Mademoiselle London
Created by two former-Londoners living in Paris, “Mademoiselle London” tells the tale of a bilingual girl’s exploits in Paris. Through illustrations and poems depicting the “bad love affairs, bad grammar and bad hangovers”, the character of Mademoiselle London comes to life. A gut-wrenchingly amusing read for all Francophiles and Anglophiles everywhere. In honor of Valentine’s Day they’ve created a collection of hilarious, downloadable cards (free!). To view the messages on the inside of the cards, head to the Mademoiselle London album, very clever.
Love languages tote
The love languages bag could easily be sported all year round but seeing as though it’s cute, affordable, multi-lingual AND in tote form, it seemed like an ideal gift to include for Valentine’s Day. You’ll find love in French, Chinese, Bulgarian, Yiddish, German, Japense, Vietnamese and, of course, English among many more on this hand silk-screened cotton tote. $11,50 (Purchase on Etsy).
Google: Parisian Love
This video hardly needs an introduction. Romantic and charming how those young kids fall in love abroad (myself included)!
Single in Paris
Former “Sex and the City” writer and co-author of “He’s Just Not That Into You”, Liz Tuccillo, traveled to Paris to find out what French women know about dating and singledom that their American counterparts don’t. Through interviews and observation with Parisians, she realizes there’s something fundamentally amiss with our expectations of love and romance.
For the love of Paris
EF - Live The Language - Paris from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.
I included this simply for the love and beauty of Paris! “Vivez la Langue” (Live the Language) is the commercial for EF Lanaguage Schools, specifically their Paris program. It beautifully captures the spirit of traveling abroad and even hints at the potential romances that might await the curious.
Joyeuse Saint-Valentin!
Photo 1 courtesy of Trevino, photo 2 courtesy of Little Brown Pen, photo 3 courtesy of Ladurée, photo 4 courtesy of Madmeoiselle London, photo 5 courtesy of Bucktoothed Bunny.