The Dolce Vita Diaries

I know Valentine’s is still a way off but I want to write this now in case anyone would like to copy the idea –you’ll need a bit of time. It is a very simple thing but one I’ve always loved and meant to copy myself. The idea is this: you use Valentine’s Day not to focus what is already probably too much attention on the one you love, but rather as an excuse to remind everyone else in your world – friends, family, colleagues, whoever you want – that you love them. Of course you don’t have to do anything as naff as actually use the ‘love’ word: that’s the genius of being able to say ‘Happy Valentine’s’ – it does it all for you. Your missive will be more like a Christmas card without the Christianity and frankly you’ll stand out a lot better in February than in the glut of December.

A very lovely friend used to do this every year. She would take (or have someone take) a great photograph which she would turn into a great card which she’d mail out to friends all over the world. They were always beautifully done which meant that the recipients invariably kept them on display for ages – so sometimes you’d go to someone else’s house and see one just like the one that you had received. Far from minding that the card was replicated, this would instantly induce a moment of exquisite and profound bonding.

So get to it. It’ll be even better now. At a time when we all type instead of write and have digital prints by the shedload, how much more magical to receive a real physical card in the post on a day when only the dead-hearted can completely deny a glimmer of hope of a mysterious love surprise.