Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireShopping & Gifts

Valentines Gift Guide Inspired by Provence

Valentines Gift Guide

There is no reason to wait for February 14th to show your affection. However, not acknowledging Valentine’s Day might not be a solid love strategy. So, to help with your shopping, we have pulled together this Valentines Gift Guide with suggestions that won’t break the bank and are almost as good as a trip to Provence.

In addition, read about foods that may have aphrodisiac effects, and enjoy a few recipe ideas for a romantic evening.

Disclaimer: Some of these products include affiliate links, and the website earns a small fee from qualifying purchases. However, that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.

Valentines Gift Guide 2022

Valentines in France

Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr and patron saint of lovers, epileptics and beekeepers, died in the 3rd century in Rome. La fête de Saint Valentin on February 14th has historical and religious roots in France. In the middle ages, the belief was that birds started mating in the middle of February. The card or love note originated when the captured Duke of Orleans wrote a poem to his beloved wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London.

A couple of French customs are now either illegal or replaced by mobile phones and SMS messaging. For example, the lovely old tradition of exchanging beautiful handwritten cards with love notes – cartes d’amitiés, may not have been specific to Valentines but has undoubtedly been replaced by today’s chat rooms and instant messaging. The other once-popular ritual in France, now outlawed, was the loterie d’amour.

Today, in most parts of the western world, it is customary to celebrate February 14th with a romantic gesture or present so, here is our gift guide:

Breakfast in Bed

Why not start her day with breakfast in bed? The founder of French Address sourced this beautifully handcrafted wicker serving tray from an artisan in the French Alps. Wickerwork is one of those traditional artisan crafts in France, and there are less than 300 artisans today. The tray is made with organic white wicker and with orange leather handles.

Order Breakfast Tray

Holiday Gift Guide Wicker Tray

A French Gift Box

Because travel is not always possible, you can still give beautiful artisan keepsakes from French manufacturers with My French Country Home Box, a curated subscription box. Sharon Santoni’s passion for sharing favourite brands and ideas inspired the box concept. In addition, she wants to connect smaller French businesses and artisan creators with a broader audience. Santoni and her team curate a thematic collection of made-in-France luxury products every quarter. Past boxes have included “Summer in Provence” and “Christmas in Paris.”

Buy French Artisan Box

My Stylish French Box November 2018 5

French Favourites Collection Box

Annette Charlton is the founder of My French Collection Box, a series of beautifully wrapped curated collections that bring French decorative style to your doorstep quarterly. During Annette’s travels in France, she has built up a network of artisans, small businesses and contacts that she works with while creating these boxes destined for lovers of the French lifestyle worldwide. The March 2022 box is ‘French Favorites’, a (still secret) collection of gorgeous lifestyle products for beauty, interiors, gardens and the art of the table.

Order today and take advantage of a reader’s discount of 10% discount with this code N3P34ZYN.

Beautiful My French Collection Box

A Table for Dinner

There is nothing like elegant table settings to set the mood. Provencal fabrics – les Indiennes – are available in various colours and patterns. In addition, there are table runners, placemats, tablecloths, and napkins to create your art de la table from playful to sophisticated. In addition, the team at Remember Provence has created some special gift packages (see the selection here).

Select Table Linens

Nappe carrée Avignon allover rouge

Romantic Lighting

Created in 2012, Rose et Marius is, above all, a love story between Magali Fleurquin-Bonnard and Provence. By summoning her childhood memories in the Provencal country house of her grandmother Rose, the young designer takes us on a unique olfactory journey. These scents of the South, reminiscent of walks at a time when the hill exhales the vapours of the earth, imprinted on Magali’s memory. Explore the exquisite Rose et Marius candle collection, chosen by the French President for outstanding quality.

Rose et Marius lampion

These mini scented candles – lampions – are just as beautifully crafted as the larger format. Purchase individual fragrances according to your tastes or select a package of three. Rose et Marius is offering readers a discount of 15% until February 14th. Use this code at checkout 15-SVAL.

Give a Gift of Magic Light

A Painting Weekend

When the world pivoted to Zoom in the last two years, so did artist Jill Steenhuis. She now offers 2 ½ day online oil painting courses a few times a year. These interactive sessions are open to anyone regardless of their level of painting experience. During the workshops, Jill provides an overview of colour theory, mixing a harmonious paint palette, and working with oil paints. You will have completed 2-3 paintings by the end of the class.

The first workshop of 2022 is on February 12, 13 & 19. This painting weekend might be the perfect gift for that creative person. For more details and to book a spot, please follow this link.

Jill Steenhuis Painting

Beautiful Her

Because the northern winter can be rough on your complexion, our friends at the Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm offer a 20% discount on their Rosehip Oil for our Canadian readers.

Rosehip Oil Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm

Brighten and revitalize dull and tired skin with our luxurious, vitamin-rich, farm-infused Rosehip Oil. High in the essential fatty acids that promote cell regeneration and tissue healing, rosehip oil has traditionally been used to fade scars and stretch marks, ease under-eye puffiness, and restore rough skin patches. The addition of this Okanagan Farm’s pure lavender essential oil makes it deliciously sweet and delicately floral in the aroma while further enhancing the therapeutic benefits to the skin. Order Rosehip Beauty and use the ROSELOVE20 discount code at checkout. Please note shipping is only available to Canadian customers.

L'AUGUSTE Provence Aquarelle Ceres

L’AUGUSTE Provence is a French brand created by a trio of founders. Everything starts with the one-of-a-kind watercolours paintings by Laure, one of the founders. Once finalized, her designs are then printed on textiles for accessory creations at their workshop in Provence. This little beauty kit, “Ceres”, is a refined gift idea, unique and entirely made in France. As a bonus, from Provence, the beauty kit contains a small sachet of organic lavender.

Buy a Touch of Provence

L'AUGUSTE Provence Trousse beauté Ceres

Romantic Fragrances

Luxury Perfume: Rose et Marius is a luxury perfume house and home décor brand based in Aix-en-Provence. Founder Magali Fleurquin-Bonnard’s inspiration for the exquisitely designed product line originates from childhood memories at the family’s country home. Rose et Marius makes 90% of its creations in Provence. The company works with exceptional artisans whose knowledge passes from generation to generation. Rose et Marius received the precious label of Craftsmen of Art, which recognized the quality of their artisanal and handmade collections. Use this code at checkout 15-SVAL for a 15% discount before February 14th.

Rose et Marius Perfume Collection Provence

Happy Valentines Day!

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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).

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