Be my Valentine

Be my Valentine
Daily Citizen-News

Traditional gifts like chocolate and roses remain a popular buy for your sweetheart
By Daniel Bell
Dalton Daily Citizen

Amber Brown says her favorite Valentine memory is from when she was in college and her boyfriend — now husband — drove 10 and a half hours overnight to surprise her with breakfast in bed.

“I was depressed because I didn’t think I’d be seeing him that year,” Brown, of Dalton, said. “But he had arranged with my roommate to get into my apartment and he woke me up with food from Hardees.”

Since most people do not have to cross state lines to impress their significant other, they get into the spirit of Valentine’s Day by exchanging the traditional gifts: flowers, candy, jewelry — and bright red stuffed gorillas that sing “Wild Thing” when squeezed.

More adventurous shoppers turn to the Internet when looking for unique gift ideas.

“My boyfriend and I always try to buy each other something strange. It’s almost like a contest to see who can out-do the other,” said Jessica Roberts, a Dalton State College student who does “about 75 percent” of her shopping online. She would not say what she bought her boyfriend this year, but said she uses google.com to do her searching.

A Google search for “Valentine’s Day gifts” returns 41 million hits, with links to most anything someone would want to purchase.

Clever online shoppers can design their own teddy bears (vermontteddybear.com), name a star after their sweetheart (www.starregistry.com) or send their loved ones a “pajama-gram” (www.pajamagram.com).

Those who have yet to buy something for that special someone need not worry. Most sites offer one- or two-day shipping, so there is still time to get a gift by Tuesday.

Anyone looking for last-minute traditional gift ideas should not have trouble finding something local.

Gloria Neal, owner of Davies Gifts and Jewelry on Thornton Avenue, said Feb. 14 is one of the productive holidays of the year for her business, second only to Christmas, and the most popular items are heart-shaped pendants.

Neal said many people end up waiting until the last minute.

“The busiest day (in the store) is the day before Valentine’s Day,” she said.

For those buying for someone with a sweet tooth, one of the most popular gifts is candy, while many people enjoy receiving a heart-shaped box full of sweets.

“Chocolate is what people give,” said Irene Wheat, owner of Irene’s Cake and Candy Supply on Walnut Avenue Wheat said her business always increases a little around Valentine’s Day.

And what would Valentine’s Day be without red roses?

“We go through about 300 to 400 roses around this time,” said Kelly Gowin, floral designer at Dalton Florist on Melrose Drive. A dozen roses at Dalton Florist costs about $70 to $75 and is the most popular floral gift, according to Gowin.

“Most people give flowers with chocolate, or with jewelry,” she said.

Then again, some romantic-minded people think food is the quickest way to the heart.

“You want to win a woman over? Cook her a special meal and serve it in candlelight,” advises John Jones, a Dalton resident who has been married 20 years. “I fix something special for my wife every year.”

For those who want to go out for dinner, the Dalton Depot on Depot Street plans to offer a special Valentine’s Day menu and discounts on lobster, while Little Rome on North Third Avenue in Chatsworth will make couples a heart-shaped pizza.

Another way to pamper the one you love is with a day at the spa. AOG Aesthetics, on Burleyson Road, offers 20 percent discounts for Valentine’s Day and throughout the month of February.

Still, Brown says the gift does not matter as much as the time and thought put into it.

“I know it’s a cliche, but it really is the thought that counts,” she said. “All we want to know is that you care. The harder it was for you to find the right gift, the more we appreciate your efforts.”