Jamshedpur : Valentine�s Day, the universal celebration of love, is around the corner and so is the eternal dilemma of what to gift and what not to gift?
As soon as February dawns, markets get flooded with mushy Valentine�s Day gifts to lure starry-eyed shoppers. Heart shaped candy boxes, cupid figurines, chocolate boxes wrapped in red ribbons and cuddly soft-toys can be spotted in every store. So much so, that the real relevance of the day is being diluted under the effect of growing commercialization. People indulge in meaningless shopping without giving adequate thought to what they are buying and for whom.
It is important to understand the evolution of Valentine�s Day over the years and the real relevance of Valentine gifts, before beginning the hunt for memorable gifts for your loved ones.
Archie�s Gallery and Hallmark has a range of Valentine’s Day special products such as key chains, fridge magnets, soaps, pattern tins, mouse pads, pens, postcards, bookmarks, coffee mugs, lampshades, tea candles, lights and so on.
This year too Archie�s has a range of adorable gifts that will tug at your heart strings. Teddy bears with �I love you’ tags on them, books of love quotes, photo frames, heart-shaped cuddly toys, coffee mugs with smooch imprints, a teddy bear enclosed in a 22 carat gold box, love-themed snow globes of different sizes, heart-shaped trinkets and accessories and so on seem to be the hot sellers.
�When love is in the air, it’s about music, chocolate and things that are closest to your beloved’s heart. We would like personalised gifts such as innovatively chosen music, handmade cards, collages and so on,� says a teenager, one among a bubbly bunch who are busy browsing the shelves for the perfect gift.
Valentines Day, February 14, is named after a Christian martyr, named Valentine. According to Saint Valentine’s biography, the priest was also a doctor and treated patients even if they could not pay him. During a ban on marriages of Roman soldiers by the Emperor Claudius II, Saint Valentine secretly helped arrange marriages.
He was martyred for practicing Christianity. On the evening before Valentine was to be martyred, he passed a love note to his jailer’s daughter that read, “From your Valentine”, and hence the day got associated with love and romance.
Market research substantiates that, Valentine’s Day greetings and gifts are usually exchanged by couples in love, followed by children, grandchildren and parents. However, you can also send valentine wishes and gifts to your friends, neighbors, teachers and even your latest crush.