Valentine’s: Some ideas

 But if you’re anything like the average Zimbo, you’ll probably have spent the last few weeks searching for the perfect Valentine’s card, placing orders for red roses and checking out the supermarket shelves for elegant boxes of chocolates. A combination of these classic love tokens will probably do the trick, without having to resort to plastic surgery or taking steroids.
In spite of its ancient origins, Valentine’s Day continues to grow in global popularity, with the possible exception of countries such as Iran and Pakistan.
St Valentine’s Day, held on February 14 and dating back to 500AD, commemorates Valentine, an early Christian martyr. Valentine may or may not have died for love, but after 1382, when Geoffrey Chaucer — the “father of English literature” — wrote a Valentine’s Day poem celebrating the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia on February 14, this date was ever afterwards to be associated with romantic love.
By the end of last week, several supermarkets in my area had large displays of Valentine gifts, including cute little teddy bears, chocolates, bottles of red wine and romantic toiletries packaged in red and pink. Greeting cards decorated with red hearts, arrows and cupids are particularly popular, and the arrival in the post box of an unsigned declaration of love is always an occasion for great speculation and excitement. Twenty-five million cards are sent every year in Britain, while in America, 190 million Valentine cards change hands, which is one hunka-hunka burnin’ love.
Zimbos have a great sense of occasion and like to celebrate special events throughout the year. A wine estate in the Nyamasanga River Valley, just outside Harare, is celebrating a Valentine’s “vintage affair” between food and wine all day on Saturday.
In Sam Levy’s Village on Valentine’s night, a romantic food and wine evening will take place, hosted by a successful restaurateur, a popular chef and Harare’s leading wine expert. The menu combines 85 percent dark chocolate with delicious savoury dishes and promises to appeal to all the senses.
There are special Valentine offers all over Zimbabwe, but a Valentine’s night of roses, sparkling wine and chocolate at one of the country’s two five-star hotels, would surely put one in the direct line of fire for several of Cupid’s life-enhancing arrows.
For the first time in many years, Chinese New Year is being celebrated at the same time as Valentine’s Day. This 15-day celebration, which began on February 3, ushered in the year of the Rabbit. Certain obligations must be fulfilled on particular days: On the second day, the Chinese pray o their ancestors and to all the gods, while sons-in-law must visit their parents-in-law on the third and fourth days. On the eleventh day, which by coincidence is Valentine’s Day, friends and relatives should be invited for dinner.
Should you want to celebrate Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year in one place, book a suite at the Mandarin Oriental in Las Vegas. A special deal — stay two nights and get a third night free, plus a US$250 gift certificate at a famous jeweller — guarantees to make the heart beat faster.
But if you’re the home-loving type, entertain your partner to a romantic meal prepared in your own kitchen. Tidy up the house, brush the dog hairs off the sofa, and set the scene with candlelight and bowls of red roses and flame lilies bought from roadside vendors.
Avoid culinary disasters by serving classic, delicious food such as raw oysters and sparkling wine. If the object of your desire is still hungry, you might relent and rustle up a grilled T-bone steak served with a spoon of polenta.
If, in spite of your best efforts, you don’t achieve your objectives this year, don’t despair. There is always Valentine’s Day 2012, and who knows what the future will bring?