Valentine’s Day gifts: How to give the gift of Sacramento, to others or yourself
It’s almost Valentine’s Day. Maybe that sends a thrill through your soul, and maybe you’ve started to curse at the realization. Luckily in Sacramento, there’s a little bit for everyone, no matter how you would like to celebrate this year.
Galentines and Palentines
A picnic is a fun way to get the besties together. If you’re not a gifted party thrower, try Sittin’ Pretty Picnics. They put together picnics that you can just enjoy and not stress over. This is not some paper plates and some hot dogs on a blanket. We’re talking about perfect tablescapes in a color scheme that will make you think you have stumbled into an influencer’s Instagram feed. Not only do you and your squad have a blast, but you’ve got a picture-perfect scene to document the memories. You can browse their work and DM them for your own picnic by finding them on Instagram @sittinprettypicnics.
Help your gals and pals up their charcuterie game with Berry and Thyme jams. Erin Burrise uses her love of food and botanicals, and local ingredients for all of her preserves. With flavors like blood orange and rose, it’s just the gift for your BFFs. Use them in cooking, on your Galentine’s Day waffles, with appetizers, or get mixing at your bar cart — tonic and preserves can be a great start to a cocktail, alcoholic or not. Find out more at shopberryandthyme.com.
I don’t care what it says about me: Brunch always wins. Midtown Spirits has an amazing brunch menu, and you can even get it to go if you’d rather celebrate the Galentines and Palentines in your jammies. Instead of a mimosa, go for a Capitol Coffee, and pair it up with the Bananas Foster French Toast or the Loco Moco. Or get the Fig & Bubbles if you need your brunch cocktail to fizz. Get all the details at midtown-spirits.com.
Family love
Saturday, you can take the fam over to the Crocker for “Family Fun: Clay and Candy.” Register online for this family friendly tour of “The Candy Store: Funk, Nut, and other Art with a Kick.” After the tour, kids can work on a craft inspired by their favorite sweet treat. To register or for more information go to crockerart.org.
One of my family’s favorite ways to celebrate anything at all is going out for ice cream. Head over to Gunther’s for a double scoop or maybe an Oreo pie on a stick. Sometimes, dragging the whole fam out is too much work, and then you might want to consider picking up hand-packed ice cream by the pint or quart. Hey, get a gallon, I’m not here to judge. Then you can enjoy it at home and watch Encanto again. Funny that we don’t talk about Bruno, but we’re all stuck singing about him now. For all the Gunther’s info, go to gunthersicecream.com.
Just like in a rom-com
Grab your Valentine and get ready for a romantic river cruise. City Cruises will be running out of Old Sacramento. There will be a DJ for dancing, cocktails and small bites. Cruises will be available in the afternoon or evening throughout Valentine’s weekend. Tours are one and a half hours long. For more information, check out cityexperiences.com.
While you’re in Old Sac, stop by the Heart Arch for a photo op. Head over to the Embarcadero to find the red rose covered heart arch through the month of February. The 10-foot tall, 11-foot wide Heart Arch covered in about 2,500 roses beats a Snapchat filter any day. Built by Sacramento-based artist Alyse Porzio, it’s ready for all of your photo needs.
Me, myself, and I
Show yourself some love by taking extra special care of you.
Let’s start off with a doughnut, shall we? Milk Money in midtown has some amazing flavors definitely worthy of a “treat yo’ self” moment. Flavors rotate weekly, but the O.G. is available everyday. This tasty doughnut features an orange creamsicle glaze and coriander brown sugar struesel. And if a doughnut isn’t your thing, they’ve got ice cream and ice cream sandwiches. This is not the ice cream sandwich from the freezer aisle at the store. This is cocoa nib ice cream on sugar cookies, dipped in milk or dark chocolate with cocoa nibs sprinkled on top. Check out milkmoneymidtown.com for hours and the menu.
If you’re ready for something more serious — more committed — than Valentine’s flowers, pop over to Propagate Plants & Gatherings. Choose the plant that’s right for you and learn how to care for it, if you’re a first-time plant parent. Or book yourself a workshop in Reiki and meditation or make your own terrarium. You’re ready for this. Go to propagatesac.com for more information.
A mani/pedi can be just the right way to feel pampered and special. Nature Love Salon is eco-friendly and cruelty-free, so you can feel even better about it. You can relax and enjoy their handcrafted scrubs and lotions. Check out their service menu and descriptions of all of their products on their website at naturelovesalon.com.
Sometimes you feel best after helping others. If you’re looking for that kind of pick me up, A Seat at the Table Books is hosting a blood drive with their neighbor Vitalant on February 15. Those who donate will receive coffee and a mini cupcake from Kalani Kakes. And of course, that warm fuzzy feeling of helping somebody. You can see more information and register at aseatatthetablebooks.org.
This story was originally published February 8, 2022 at 8:49 AM.