Let’s face it. Valentine’s Day puts a lot of pressure on guys. If you’re in a relationship, the card, flower and chocolate companies tell you that you had better come to your sweetheart’s door bearing gifts on Feb. 14. Rule number one: the gift had better be romantic. And rule #2: the day can never be forgotten.
In truth, plenty of people don’t buy into Valentine’s Day – they don’t like to be told that this is the one day to express feelings for a beloved, and they don’t like having to pay what seems like a premium to do so (read: expensive flowers and costly chocolates).
But if you’d rather keep the peace than fight the righteous fight (which you really can’t win, guys), then here’s a few local ideas to keep the feathers from flying this Friday night!
It’s a myth that retailers hike flower prices way up for Valentine’s Day, though they are somewhat more expensive on the day of. At St. Albert Grower Direct on St. Albert Trail, new owner Linda Borschneck said prices go up at source farms in Ecuador and Colombia for Valentine’s Day shipments, so she has to charge a bit more. Still, a bouquet of a dozen red roses that usually sells for $39.99 is ten bucks higher on Valentine’s Day, complete with filler and greenery. Delivery within St. Albert adds $12.95 to the tab.
“Red roses are the most common choice, but some like exotic flowers like Stargazer lilies, or mixed bouquets,” said Borschneck. “People will still be able to come in on Valentine’s Day and get something, even if it’s last-minute.”
It’s true that some folk just aren’t partial to flowers, and the Candy Bouquet on Perron Street is ready to step in with sweets for your sweet. Store owners Gisele Sinclair and Kathie Fisher have fashioned bouquets of candy and chocolate as well as cones filled with Valentine candy (gummy hearts, chocolate hearts, chewy candy lips, etc.) from a few dollars to $150.
Chocolates are available as bars or individually-wrapped truffles and bites from B.C. and abroad. “It’s our second-busiest day after Christmas,” said Sinclair. “We get a lot of wives who send these to husbands. It’s a nice alternative to the typical Valentine offerings.”
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory at St. Albert Centre has all you’d expect for fine chocolates in a Valentine sleeve. You can’t go far wrong with a heart-shaped box full of truffles for about $30, or even a four-piece red velvet truffle box for under $10.
How about the very popular option of dining out with your sweetheart on this day dedicated to romance? Several restaurants in town offer a special menu on Friday night, including the Glasshouse Bistro at the Enjoy Centre. A four-course dinner for $69 per person might hit the spot, as would the add-on touch of a fresh flower bouquet delivered table-side. Score some points here, fellas, but make reservations.
Of course, we’re not all couples. Good thing then, that a brisk walk, gazing at the starry winter sky, and hanging out with friends are free, and a fine way to spend the evening too. Enjoy loving feelings in whatever form they come.
