 GARY NYLANDER/The Daily CourierYou can't go wrong giving a dozen long-stemmed red roses for the love of your life on Valentine's Day, according to florist Bonita Chow from Kelowna's Art Knapp Plantland. |
because they work.
"They're the old-school classics," said Stephanie Schmidt, manager at JK Schmidt Jewellers in downtown Westbank.
"It's what women want to receive and what men want to give."
Being the third generation in the jewelry business, Schmidt's
expertise is rings, necklaces,
bracelets, earrings and watches.
"Our Valentine's best sellers are necklaces with heart-shaped
pendants that have Canadian
diamonds on them and heart-themed charms for Pandora braclets," said Schmidt.
"The Red Hot Love charm of red hearts set in sterling silver is probably the most popular of all."
Buying jewelry for your lover needn't bust the bank, however.
Necklaces start at $129 and the charm is $50.
But, if you want to spend a lot more, you can do that too.
Just go bigger with the diamonds and substitute the silver for gold
or platinum.
Valentine's Day is eagerly awaited in the retail world.
It's the first buying spree of the new year after six weeks of frugality post-Christmas and Boxing Day and offers hope consumers are willing to part with their money during the dreary winter.
Retailers have also managed to turn Valentine's into a bona fide mainstream spending holiday.
The gift giving isn't just confined to lovers anymore.
The kids, friends, your parents, even your grandparents and neighbours are willing to accept cards, chocolates and other goodies for Valentine's.
There are lots of flowers out there, but for Valentine's Day giving,
it will always come back to a dozen long-stemmed red roses.
"Definitely, they are our No. 1
go-to bouquet," said florist Bonita Chow at Art Knapp Plantland in Kelowna.
"We've ordered in 1,100 roses in all colours, but most of them are red because that's what people want."
If you don't want to follow tradition, you can try another colour rose - pink, white or yellow can work - or go with orchids, birds of paradise or Gerbera daisies.
Chow suggested Valentine's flowers be ordered by Monday to guarantee you get what you want.
Recognizing it's men doing the shopping and men being notorious last-minuters, the store has lots
of stock to accommodate those who leave it until today and even
tomorrow.
"You might have to go with another colour rose if you leave it right to the last minute though," warned Chow.
As well, Schmidt said most men will be shopping for jewelry gifts
today and tomorrow.
By the way, a dozen long-stemmed red roses will put you back $70.
There are two schools of thought when it comes to going out for
dinner with your love on Valentine's Day.
One, it is so romantic and yummy.
Two, it's a waste of time and money because restaurants are uber-busy, prices are jacked up, service is poor and the whole experience tends to zap passion.
"Yes, we will be busy on Valentine's Day," said Alissa Bakker, a manager at Moxie's Grill in Kelowna.
"But we know it's going to be busy so we have all staff in and Moxie's does a great job when it's busy.
If you make a reservation, your table will be ready and we will
never rush you out."
Moxie's also stretches its Valentine's out for three days to
incorporate Feb. 14 as well as traditional restaurant date nights Friday and Saturday.
Moxie's love menu contains dishes such as pan-seared prawns, Thai coconut fish, sirloin steak and Cupid's white chocolate brownie.
If you want to cuddle at home
instead, Oliver winery Inniskillin has matched five of its bottles with classic romantic movies.
For instance, the reserve chardonnay ($14) is paired with Gone With the Wind and buttered and salted popcorn.
Merlot ($17) with Roman Holiday, or try the riesling ($14) with When Harry Met Sally, watch The Way We Were with pinot noir ($19). The sweetest and most expensive riesling icewine ($35) is recommended for the movie Casablanca.
