Simple Love Tokens

We’ve never really been ones for overblown romantic gestures. We don’t typically celebrate Valentine’s day or even pay that much attention to anniversaries. We usually prefer to do random nice things for each other throughout the year ‘just because it’s Tuesday’ etc. However, recently, with busy jobs and a very busy toddler, our availability to think beyond the specific moment we’re in, and do something sweet for one another has been limited. So this year I’ve decided to indulge in Valentine’s day and treat my husband and son to some home baking. (A few days early so I could share it with you). Here are some simple love tokens for you to make if you feel so inclined.

I used this Jammy Dodger recipe. It’s really easy and best of all quick. I’ve added a couple of my own extra tips below:

• If you don’t have a heart shaped cutter, you could make a template out of cardboard to cut around, or just use any shape really.
• The chilling is really important to help the biscuits keep their shape in the oven. I actually whacked mine in the freezer for 10 minutes to speed this stage up.
• I doubled up the biscuit recipe and froze half (for future biscuit needs). To freeze, just roll it out and cut into shapes. Freeze them flat on a baking tray. Once frozen you can put them all in a box / freezer bag and store for up to a month. To cook the frozen biscuits, I’ve found just adding 2 minutes to the normal cooking time is enough. (They take less than quarter of an hour, so brilliant for emergency biscuit situations.)
• You don’t have to make Jammy Dodgers either, you could dip them in chocolate, ice them or just eat them plain.

 

If perhaps you are looking for a gift for a loved one who is trying to live more simply, (or actually anyone really) here are a small selection of other things I think would make nice gifts.

• Consumables: Chocolates, Wine, Soaps. Anything a little bit special which I’d be unlikely to treat myself to.
• Homemade food: Is there anything more wonderful than eating a homemade meal you haven’t had to cook? (My Mum makes me a lemon drizzle cake most months (my favourite). I think cooking for someone is the ultimate act of love.)
• Books: Taking time to choose a book for someone is a lovely way to show how much you care. Especially if you find one on a topic they’re particularly interested in or a favourite author etc. It can be read, enjoyed and passed along without creating additional clutter.
• A coffee (or any other type of beverage) somewhere nice: I meet my sister once a week for an early morning coffee before work. We take it in turns to pay. I know this actually works out as just paying for our own coffees each week. But it’s so nice to be treated to a drink, and then to be able to reciprocate the following week.

{For an extra special treat, a book voucher, paired with a coffee shop voucher is an afternoon very well spent.}

I’d love to know if you try the biscuit recipe! Or treat a loved one (or yourself) to any of the above.