Flowers, jewelry, candy dominate Valentine’s gifts
Republic
Valentine’s Day comes at a good time for consumers and retailers.
Consumers have the mid-winter, can’t-wait-for-spring blues, and retailers are enduring their annual post-Christmas sales slump.
What better way to perk everyone up than flowers, chocolates, diamonds, greeting cards and an assortment of whimsical Valentine’s Day gifts?
For those who can’t afford the higher-ticket items, smaller gifts are available in abundance at any grocery, department, craft or drug store.
The ideas are endless, from the traditional to the one-of-a-kind.
Chocolate galore
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is preparing for one of its busiest seasons of the year.
“It kind of builds up slowly,†said manager James Ellis, “then we get a lot of last-minute shoppers.â€
The shop at Edinburgh Premium Outlets offers a large selection of handmade chocolates, truffles, fudge, gourmet apples and cookies.
For $29, shoppers can buy a cut-glass vase filled with candy and holiday decorations.
Gourmet apples also are a popular treat that can be decoratively packaged to go or sliced to be eaten from a bowl.
The large Granny Smith apples, which cost less than $6, include ones dipped in chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, nuts and sprinkles.
Also available are chocolate-dipped cherries, raspberries and strawberries and heart-shaped cookies with custom messages.
Truffles come in an assortment of flavors, and dog bones covered in a confectionary coating are available for beloved family pets. Gifts also can be shipped.
Bling buys
Jewelry is a traditional favorite for Valentine’s Day gifts, although styles and trends change year to year.
Tim Banta, manager of Ultra Diamonds at Edinburgh Premium Outlets, said three-stone rings, “O†diamond necklaces (made popular by Oprah Winfrey) and jewelry with tanzanite (a blue to purple stone) are popular this year.
Red rubies sell well at Valentine’s Day, as do heart pendants and engagement rings.
