Spreading Love with Sweet Treats
How did you spend Valentine’s Day? Did you celebrate with a loved one? With your best mates? Or maybe you had a cosy night in? However you spent it, I hope your day was filled with love, friendship, appreciation—and of course, something sweet!
For the past few years, Valentine’s Day has become a day for me to show appreciation to the people around me. I like giving little chocolate treats to my friends and colleagues, regardless of gender. Since I usually work as normal on Valentine’s Day, I always feel like bringing something sweet to the office brightens the day for everyone.
Valentine’s Day in Japan 🇯🇵
In Japan, Valentine’s Day is traditionally when women give chocolate to men to express their feelings—basically, it’s a sweet way to say “I like you.” It’s perfect for shy people like me, especially back when I was a student!
It’s also common to give chocolates more casually to male friends or coworkers—that’s called giri choco (obligation chocolate)—as well as chocolates to female friends, called tomo choco (friend chocolate).
Does that sound a bit unusual?
Then, a month later on March 14th, there’s White Day. On this day, men return the favour, often giving gifts back to the women. Traditionally, it’s said men should give something worth at least double the value of what they received. (Lucky us, right? 😂)
So when I first received something from a man on Valentine’s Day here in the UK, it felt quite strange—but of course, who doesn’t love getting gifts? I really appreciate the Valentine’s Day traditions here!
Skipping the Valentine’s Dinner…
This year, instead of a fancy dinner, my boyfriend suggested a countryside getaway—he knows how much I love exploring the British countryside.
We visited Symonds Yat and stayed overnight at a charming old inn.
I actually wrote a blog post all about the inn, so check it out from HERE if you’re curious!
A Little Something Sweet…
I wasn’t planning to do anything special, but at the last minute, I felt like baking something chocolatey—so I made brownies!
I hadn’t baked sweets for Valentine’s Day in years. Back in Japan, I used to enjoy going to chocolate fairs and buying fancy chocolates instead. (Around Valentine’s season, Japan has huge chocolate exhibitions where chocolatiers from all over the world gather—it’s fun just to wander around sampling chocolate and soft-serve!)
But baking turned out to be a great idea.
I tried making gluten-free brownies for the first time, using a recipe from Soul Sync Body by Sanne Vloet, one of my favourite models. I tweaked it slightly and they turned out delicious!
Do you have any Valentine’s Day traditions where you’re from? Or maybe a special memory? I’d love to hear—drop me a comment and share!