A New Spin on Valentine’s Day

Put a new twist on the classic traditions of this lovers’ holiday — using a few NH favorites

11 hours ago

Alexis Lindley-DeAngelis,

Nothing’s wrong with a Hallmark greeting card and arrangement of flowers from the grocery store, but why not do something a little extra special? Your partner is sure to notice how much thought you put into your Feb. 14 plans when your ideas show next-level consideration and creativity. From places to go to activities to try and goods to share, we’ve found new ways for you to say “I love you” this Valentine’s Day. Don’t worry — we won’t tell anyone if you pull all your ideas right off our list!

Quiñohome Candles

Photo by Alexis the Greek Photography

When you think of a romantic evening by candlelight, you might picture tapers and tea lights… but what if you did something a little more surprising? Quiñohome soy candles come in seasonal scents that capture both the unexpected and the familiar. Winter scents like Picnic in Provence fill the air with subtle lavender, driftwood and citrus — like a breeze on a spring afternoon in the country — while Mountain Air drifts with pine, balsam and hints of apple, like a late-summer hike. Light a scented candle after dinner and suddenly the room will smell like a fond, forgotten memory —warm and inviting, made for lingering conversation. quinohome.com

Pottery and Memories at Studio 550

Photo Courtesy Studio 550

Valentine’s Day can sometimes feel like a chase for the perfect gift, when really the focus should be on simply enjoying time together. A shared experience can bring the attention back where it needs to be. Try wheel throwing at 550 Art Center in Manchester where the two of you can laugh over wobbly clay, celebrate your (probably imperfect) one-of-a-kind creations, and leave with souvenirs and lasting memories. 550arts.com

Loon Chocolates

Courtesy Photo

Taste the subtle, savory and sweet differences in these made-in-Manchester small batch bars that celebrate chocolate from around the world, one bar at a time. Maine Sea Salt is rich and creamy, made with 70 percent dark chocolate from globally sourced cacao beans and solar dried Maine sea salt for the perfect combination of salty and sweet. If you’re interested in a bit of a kick (medium to hot salsa level), The Ghost & Sea bar has the same blend of dark chocolate and Maine sea salt with chocolate ghost peppers for a fun play on your senses. loonchocolate.com

Sap House Mead & Cheese

Courtesy Photo

If you and your partner love a classic wine-and-cheese night but want to try something more unique for Valentine’s Day, consider swapping wine for mead. Sap House Meadery, a Center Ossipee maker of traditional and seasonally inspired honey-wines, brews flavor profiles you won’t find in a typical bottle of red or white — including such notes as maple, berries, spices and even teas. Set out two or three different meads with fruit, savory crackers and a few cheeses (let them warm to room temp for optimal flavor), and settle in for an intimate evening built around tasting, comparing and deep conversation. saphousemeadery.com

Jewelry with Meaning

Courtesy Photo

Nothing says “personalized” like a charm bracelet or necklace created through New Hampshire-based jeweler, Hip Hope Hoorah. Assemble charms that remind you of your partner’s personality — perhaps their favorite food, “spirit animal” or birthstone — or choose charms that tell the story of your time together, like a locket that contains your first photo as a couple, alongside a shell that brings back memories of your first beach date. This gift is sure to get a lot of wear because it shows how much you care … Even better? It doesn’t cost as much as diamonds! hiphopehoorah.com

Epoch Evenings at The Exeter Inn

Courtesy Photo

If you think a romantic night in sounds just about perfect, what about a romantic evening at a local inn? An overnight getaway at The Exeter Inn will remind you what making time to be together is all about. When you book the Epoch Evenings package, your stay includes a delicious dinner at the atmospheric on-site Epoch Gastropub, where the warm glow and hot meal will have you feeling all rosy and cozy before you ever even head back to your room to snuggle up in your soft robes for a night of just-you-two time — in a place with no interruptions and no distractions. Breakfast is always complimentary, too! theexeterinn.com

Wine and Dine at Louie’s

Courtesy Photo

You can take your partner to dinner any night … so if a night out is your gift this Valentine’s Day, choose a place that invites you to stay awhile. At the newly-rebuilt restaurant and wine bar known as Louie’s in Portsmouth the waitstaff are never in a rush to turn over tables, and the rooms feel so intimate it’s easy to forget anyone else is around. Every dish is lovingly prepared (down to the pasta made from scratch) and the wines are meant to be savored slowly. Your evening will naturally stretch into maybe your only night all week that feels unhurried, and it will be forever memorable. Your partner will know that to you, being together is the point, and the location just makes the night that much more special. louiesnh.com

Spots for Boutique Buys

Rivet Collective, Hampton Falls/ rivetcollective.com

Bella Funk Boutique, Littleton/ bellafunkboutique.com

Gondwana & Divine Clothing Co., Concord / gondwanaclothing.com

Fresh of Nashua, Nashua/ freshofnashua.com

Alapage, Bedford/ alapageboutique.com

Check out nhmagazine.com for a list of more local boutiques to visit this Valentine’s Day as well as home decor and unique gift and specialty shops.

Ideas for a Cozy Getaway

Cranberry Meadow Farm, Peterborough/ cranberrymeadowfarminn.com

Chesterfield Inn, West Chesterfield/ chesterfieldinn.com

Sutton House Bed & Breakfast, Center Harbor/ sutton-house.com

Sugar Hill Inn, Sugar Hill/ sugarhillinn.com