Love is in the air in London’s shops and markets in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day on 14 February. If you want to find the perfect gift for your loved-one, London has a whirl of Valentine’s shopping events to tickle your fancy.

The spruced-up William Morris Gallery is hosting the E17 Designers Valentine’s Day Special this Saturday (9 Feb), where 20 artists will be selling their hand-crafted items, including prints and precious gems, corsages and customised cufflinks. Expect wandering minstrels, love poetry and choir singing. Entry £2. Children under 16 free.

In East London’s hip Shoreditch, pop-up mall Boxpark is hosting romantic events aplenty, including macaroon-making classes (from now until 13 Feb) and love-inspired nail designs by Boom Nails (14-17 Feb). Boutique lingerie brand Playful Promises will be offering 20% off its sexy stock, from lingerie sets to risqué satin corsets (14-17 Feb).

Carnaby Street is spreading the love this V-Day with shed-loads of inspirational gift ideas.

Head to the Marshmallow Apothecary pop-up (9-23 Feb) in Kingly Court to be prescribed a bespoke box of marshmallows. Lovers can feast on aphrodisiac flavours including ginger and chilli, which can be taken away or enjoyed in the café with a hot chocolate or cocktail. For handmade gifts, visit Kingly Court for the Craft Jam Fair and Market this Saturday (9 Feb, 12-7pm), which offers everything from cards and accessories to homeware and artisan food.

Sutra Kitchen vegetarian cooking school and deli is hosting a Valentine’s Day cooking experience for couples. Get steamy in the kitchen under the guidance of head chef Jay Morjaria and then enjoy your creations, including wild mushroom and thyme risotto. The class is £25 and includes a glass of bubbly. Email info@sutrakitchen.co.uk to book.

Put a smile on your Valentine’s face by popping into the newly re-vamped British perfume house Penhaligons, in Regent Street. The brainchild of UK designer Christopher Jenner, the plush emporium is all wood panelling, padded walls, onion dome chandeliers and ceiling roses inspired by Westminster Cathedral. Don’t leave without taking a sniff of signature scent Blenheim Bouquet, which was created in 1902 and worn by Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde.

Carnaby Street’s Record Breaking Games
From today, Guinness World Records is challenging the public to become Totally Bonkers Sporting Champions live in Carnaby Street. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week, Guinness World Records will unveil an exclusive sporting challenge and offer you the chance to claim a world record title. Forget about the athletes breaking records in the Olympic Park for the moment: here’s your chance to become a world champion at the fastest tying of shoelaces wearing boxing gloves, for example, or the most bounces on a spacehopper. The Carnaby Street Games take place between 12.30 and 1.30pm on Carnaby Street. Every participant will receive a Carnaby canvas shopping bag, so even if you don’t break the record you won’t go away empty handed.

Greenwich Market’s Special Summer
If you’re visiting Greenwich during the London 2012 Olympic or Paralympic Games, don’t miss your chance to visit Greenwich Market too. As well as the usual brilliant shops and stalls, there are new heart-shaped art installations and a number of pop-up shops just for the summer. Look out for Pop Up@SE10, a new designer-maker venture on Nelson road, featuring local and London-based designers, makers and artists’ fashion, furniture, jewellery, glass and ceramics. It’s open from 12-8pm during the Games. RN@Greenwich is another pop-up. PO CIS Gunton and I CIS Reffell run and manage the shop on board HMS Ocean for their welfare fund, which is spent on morale-building events for the crew such as barbecues or film nights. The shop will be open daily from midday ’til late, until they sail after the Games.

Get Into the Games at Westfield London
There are even more reasons to visit Westfield London this summer. Every Monday and Thursday, there’s live music in the centre; visit with the kids on Tuesdays and you can meet Fireman Sam, Fifi and Bumble, Postman Pat, Angelina Ballerina and more. There are also arts and crafts activities at the Disney Store for little shoppers with big imaginations. If you hit the shopping centre on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, you can have a go at various sports in and around the centre, including table tennis, gymnastics and even free running. Shopping hours have been extended until 10pm, Monday to Saturday and til 9pm on Sundays. If you can’t bear to be away from the Olympic Games action, you’ll be pleased to hear there are big screens set up inside the centre too, so you won’t miss a thing!

Read more about shopping in London here: visitlondon.com/attractions/shopping