We’re big on celebrating holidays at our house. My husband and I shared our first kiss on St. Patrick’s Day, had our first date on Easter, and got engaged on Valentine’s Day (although not all in the same year!). Holidays have always been a reason to celebrate.

Because of that, we celebrate Valentine’s Day as a whole family. Although my husband and I will have our own nice dinner out (most years), we’ll still get the kids gifts and have some kind of fancy family meal as well. One of my favorite “family gifts” for Valentine’s Day is to order from David’s Cookies. I can order on Wednesday and get fresh cookies or brownies by Friday afternoon. The kids get excited opening up the box and finding the treats, and it is one less thing that I have to worry about for our fancy dinner (instant dessert)!

If you are going to order, make sure that you look for coupons and free shipping. Right now David’s Cookies has 15% off plus free shipping on Valentine’s gifts (code VDAYLS). Which reminds me…I have an order to place!

One of my very favorite gifts to receive is a box of chocolate covered strawberries. Because our closest Godiva is at the airport, I end up getting them delivered. However, I recently discovered that not all chocolate covered strawberries are the same.

I’m not going to name names, but I think this is important information. The last time that you shopped online for chocolate covered strawberries, what was the actual description of the product. Did it include the word “chocolate”? I’ve been noticing that many of them don’t. Most say things like “hand dipped strawberries” or “covered strawberries.” Chocolate isn’t mentioned when you look closely. Why is that? Because it isn’t real chocolate and the FDA won’t allow them to say “chocolate covered” unless they truly are.

I talked to the owner of ccberries.com to get the scoop. Apparently most companies use a candy coating rather than chocolate. In order to be called “chocolate,” the coating must contain cocoa butter…and a lot of cheaper coatings do now. Instead, they use vegetable oil. Yuck!

So if you are looking for chocolate covered strawberries this Valentine’s Day, get your facts straight and make sure that you are getting what you pay for. Read descriptions of products called “hand dipped strawberries” carefully and check out their ingredients. Find sites like ccberries.com that actually sell the real deal.

Rosa Regale Brachetto & Godiva Chocolate Covered Fruit – Wine Collection Gift

Looking for a terrific Valentine’s Day gift for someone special? This would be at the top of my list! Rosa Regale is probably my favorite wine, and nothing says “Valentine’s Day” like chocolate covered fruit. This particular combination sells for only $29.99 and includes Godiva Chocoiste Dark Chocolate Raspberries and Almonds. Imagine having this delivered to your sweetie or presenting it with even a single rose? It says “sexy” and “romantic” without the credit card bill saying “overpriced.”

What makes this combination especially perfect for Valentine’s Day is that the wine is sparkling but not traditional champagne. It pairs beautifully with chocolate, especially dark chocolate.

If you are not sure about the chocolate, at least try the wine. You can find it at your local liquor store (I even find it at Kroger) or online at wine.com:

  Banfi 2007 Rosa Regale Brachetto – Champagne & Sparkling

For those of you who have had the Rosa Regale before, leave a comment about what you think. I may be a little overboard in my love of it, but everyone I have ever given it to has loved it as well.