The Best Downton-Worthy Valentine’s Day Dishes

We can thank the Victorians for modern-day Valentine’s Day traditions, such as the Valentine’s Day card. While the first valentines were homemade, commercially produced cards in Britain in the 1830s in Britain and the 1840s in the United States.

Valentine’s cards were given to a sweetheart and sometimes given anonymous, like when Mrs. Patmore sent Daisy a card to lift her spirits. They could cost as much as $25 and quite elaborate by the end of the 19th century. When we first meet the Crawleys in 1912, the trend to simpler cards had begun.

The tradition of giving flowers, chocolates and other gifts came later in the century. While a card and chocolates are great, sharing a meal together can be a special experience.

This year, with so many restrictions even the simplest meal at home under candlelight can really spark the Valentine’s Day romance.

Valentine’s Day Afternoon Tea?

If a night alone is simply not possible during COVID, perhaps you may wish to make an Afternoon Tea for the whole family. The kids can help by cutting heart-shaped sandwiches.

I shared these ideas on a National Morning Show.