The day after Valentine’s Day

/ J. F. Riordan

We woke to three inches of new snow, coating the branches in the magical way that reawakens childhood. There’s a fire in the fireplace, and a big snoring Eli on the couch. It feels very cozy and pleasant, and much more like February in Wisconsin.

I think the pandemic created a sense of the loss of time passing, and maybe that’s why I began assembling little Valentine gifts every year for my friends. They are never anything important, just a little token whose preparations feel festive. This year I read somewhere about a grandfather who always gave the writer candy tied up in a handkerchief, and the story was accompanied by an embroidered Valentine handkerchief that could be purchased for a ridiculous price. I wasn’t going to pay $40 for a handkerchief, but it gave me the idea.

So I began a hunt for vintage embroidered handkerchiefs. Soon they started arriving in little envelopes from all over the country, some with handwritten thanks. I paused over the note from one woman who wrote that she had been collecting handkerchiefs all her life, but now, as she was older, she wanted them to go to people who would enjoy them, rather than leaving them to her children who would just toss them out.

They were all white, with pink or red decorations. Some of the embroidery was by hand, and some was not, some were trimmed with lace. The combination of the different designs made a cheering jumble. They were all beautifully ironed, and some still had their original labels. I bought red and pink foil-wrapped chocolate hearts; foil-wrapped chocolate lips in pink, purple, and gold; a big spool of red satin ribbon; little white boxes; and heart stickers.

I suppose it’s all a little silly, but in the end, we are all children at heart. And who doesn’t miss the fun of valentines and a snack of Hawaiian Punch and cookies?

Incidentally, the grownup version of Hawaiian Punch is Ina Garten’s Cosmopolitan. Mix 2 cups vodka; 1 cup triple sec or Cointreau; 1 cup cranberry juice; 1/2 cup of fresh lime juice. Chill. Serve on the rocks in frozen glasses. No need to wait for next year’s Valentine’s Day. But be warned: too many Cosmopolitans can lead to the writing of terrible poetry.

45 thoughts on “The day after Valentine’s Day”

  3. Well, this is just lovely. I have a collection from my great grandmother, and some other old ones in my family, that I’ve always hesitated to throw away, but I had no notion of what to do with them. Mine will not be as pretty as yours, but it gives me an Idea that I will put to use rather than leaving them to be discarded in a few years when I’m no longer here. I enjoy your post more all the time. Thank you.

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  7. Oh my goodness, what a beautiful idea. I have a box of vintage hankies in my linen closet. When my mother-in-law died last year, I gave hers to my granddaughter, and she dances and plays with them. When my daughter got married eight years ago a dear friend, whose name starts with a K like mine, sent me an embroidered handkerchief with the K for me to use during the ceremony. I think it’s time to get my lacy handkerchiefs out and look at them. I am sure I have a handkerchief similar to the one in your picture adorned with hearts.

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  8. There’s nothing more touching than receiving a gift from someone who has put so much thought into it. Those handkerchiefs are beautiful. I kept some that belonged to my mother, which mean the world to me, especially the initialed one.

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  13. I still have embroidered handkerchiefs from my grandmother and great grandmother. Most are over 100 yrs old. These are some of my most precious treasures.

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  14. Love the wrapped in a hanky idea! I’ve been collecting them for years to make a quilt. Hankies can often be found in antique stores for a couple bucks.
    And thanks for the drink recipe, can’t wait to try it! I’ve always loved fruit punch.

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  17. hello from steph powers:
    (twitter profile photo: “due to unfortunate circumstances, i am awake.”)

    my grandma, viola – who shares your birthday and has gone to her heavenly reward – once gave me a box of small folded + flattened embroidered/patterned handkerchiefs.

    shoved in a drawer for years.

    sidenote = i suffer from daily allergies – a real snot brigade. or snot-show.

    then i had an epiphany: why am i using toilet paper (too cheap for kleenex) and destroying mother earth when i can use the hankies.

    they are shoved into every orifice!
    purse pockets!
    glove compartments!
    beach bags!
    nightstand drawer!
    wicker basket by the couch that holds the nail polish!
    THOUGH NOT MY SHIRT SLEEVE. i will never cross that rubicon…

    #KerchiefNation🕊💚🔥
    p.s. miss charlie. snugs for the pups. hope the snow keeps flying for you.

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  20. Those are adorable and the “punch” sounds wonderful! Cosmo fan here. We did a nice goblet of Prosecco with a dollop of sorbet and vanilla ice cream. Nice easy dessert and drink.

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  23. I absolutely LOVE this idea! Hankies are a great bridal shower gift or gift to a bridal party. I love giving them and a ring holder. Unexpected, useful gifts just feel extra special.

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  30. Love your idea! If I’d known you were looking for them, I’d have happily sent you one or two of the ones my great-grandmother from Germany made; I have several and wouldn’t have minded. My grandma gave them to me. They mean the world,but if I leave them just sitting in a drawer, nobody will know their family value. I have nieces and great-nieces with whom I would like to share this family connection. Thank you for sparking ideas! 🙂

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  31. This is very lovely thing to do for your friends. The handkerchiefs are beautiful and what you’ve done with them is such a sweet and thoughtful gift to give to beloved friends. I imagine you’ve touched their hearts with love and joy. So are such a dear and you brighten my lift every day.💝

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  32. I love this idea. I love your beautiful project on display and I am sending this article to my 82 year-old mother. This can be our project to find some vintage handkerchiefs for our friends.
    Thank for an uplifting adventure for us to start. But for today, we plan to try the Ina drink and write some bad poetry for fun.

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  33. I can’t choose among the most delicious parts of this warm essay. Your generosity, the beautiful crocheted handkerchiefs holding Valentines chocolates or the cosmopolitan recipe. Well done!

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