A SWEETHEART SHOPPER’S GUIDE | Show some heart on Valentine’s Day

Published 11:59 am Friday, February 13, 2015

BY LESLIE KELLY

Whether you are a romantic at heart or not, Valentine’s Day is just about here.

Some couples like to celebrate with the traditional candy and roses, and a nice romantic dinner out. Others like to “think out of the box.”

Here’s some suggestions for those of you who need some help:

Flowers and cards are popular gifts. According to Statisticbrain.com, 180 million cards will be exchanged and 85 percent of the cards will be bought by women. Roses are the most popular flower, with an astounding 196 million roses being produced for Valentine’s Day. Men will buy 73 percent of the flowers.

While red is the most popular color for roses, Teleflora.com says there are actually more than 150 varieties of roses to choose from. If you are giving roses, you’ll have lots of choices.

The National Retail Federation says 53 percent of people they surveyed plan to buy candy. Eating out and buying jewelry are also popular.

As far as Valentine’s Day goes, there’s no question that people spend a lot. The National Retail Federation estimates that $18.9 billion will be spent for Valentine’s Day in 2015. The average U.S. consumer will spend $142.31 in the name of love, about $8 more than last year, the federation reported.

If you plan to buy flowers locally, florists say you’ll be paying about $65 for a dozen red roses; $80 if they’re in a glass vase. Three dozen are going for $379, arranged in a vase. Most florists also charge a $10 service fee, even though they deliver for free.

Will Gross, owner of Flowers To Go in Silverdale, said red roses are still the favorite.

“They’re the most popular choice,” Gross said. “But some people opt for a nice mix of premium flowers — lilies, freesia.”

Flowers To Go have locations in Bremerton, Poulsbo, Silverdale and Port Orchard.

If roses are a bit pricey for you, how about “Simple Love,” a named bouquet of white daises in a red square vase with a decorative ribbon featuring red kisses print. That will run about $35.

In Port Orchard, Josephine’s Flower Market is offering bouquets arranged in vintage vases, including milk glass and painted mason jars.

“We’re offering something that is different than everywhere else,” said owner Sam Smith. “No two arrangements or containers are alike.”

She’s got old tea cups, tea pots, and even a 1950s-era metal flour sifter that will become vases for flower arrangements.

“I worked for a florist for 10 years, and while they do great things, it always bothered me to deliver flowers to someone and see the very same thing on the next person’s desk.

“With these arrangements, too, the person is getting something vintage that they can keep and re-use.”

Candy comes in all shapes and sizes, but it your sweetheart wants something from Kitsap County, try Amy’s Chocolates in Bremerton. Two pounds of fudge will cost $32, and choose from chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate mint, walnut, caramel pecan, or chocolate-peanut butter fudge.

On Bainbridge Island, Bon-Bon is the place to go for Valentine’s candy. They offer a special rocky road fudge at $16 a pound. Or build your own 1-pound box with two to four flavors at the same price.

Owner Lisa Wangen said truffles are popular for Valentine’s Day gifts.

They have a variety of those that range in price from $2.75 to $3 each.

“Our fudge is a big seller, too,” she said. “Not only for sweethearts, but also for parents who want to send something off to their child who is away at college.”

The most popular is dark chocolate, and they offer a raspberry chocolate as this month’s special.

For the holiday, they offer milk chocolate fudge in a heart-shaped box with a red satin bow. Those come in a $5 and a $9 size.

Many local restaurants also are offering Valentine’s Day specials. Our list of romantic restaurants includes Sogno Di Vino Italian Restaurant, 18830 Front St., in Poulsbo; The Lighthouse at 429 Bay St. in Port Orchard; Yacht Club Broiler, at 9226 Bayshore Drive NW in Silverdale, Doc’s Marina Grill, 403 Madison Ave., on Bainbridge and Anthony’s, at 20 Washington Ave., in Bremerton.

What makes a restaurant romantic? According to many, it’s the water view which all of these have. Call for their specials and be sure to make reservations.

If you like the unusual, here’s some gifts to think about.

The “I Love You: Activity Book for Couples,” at www.gifts.com. The book gives couples a fun, playful way to spend time together. There are 90 engaging, silly, sexy games to play to help couples share their thoughts and build stronger connections. It’s $14.95.

For $24.95, you can create a heart-shaped puzzle through www.gifts.com that features your photograph and a secret message. Your partner will put the puzzle together to find their actual gift. Suggested message: “Pack your bags. We’re going to Hawaii.”

Another option is a puzzle offered by www.signals.com. These puzzles, when put together are actually a map of the location where you met, or another special place. Cost: $39.95.

For a more manly gift, try a set of personalized bar ware from www.mancrates.com. Choose your surname, your favorite college or NFL team. This will run $100. Also offered by this company, the Exotic Meats Crate for $89 with wild boar jerky and seasoned dried beef. If that’s a bit steep, there’s the jerky gram for $40, which has an assortment of jerky including ostrich, kangaroo and duck. Exotic jerkies are available locally at Olmsted’s, at 18851 Highway 305 in Poulsbo.

Something sweet might also be M&Ms with your own photo and a special message. A pound of these in a heart-shaped box will run $35. Order them at www.mymms.com.

And there’s chocolate-covered fortune cookies complete with special messages you can write yourself. A dozen is $29.99 at www.sharisberries.com.

For those of you who don’t want to spend money, here’s a few ideas.

Try volunteering together. Celebrate your love by giving to others. Make arrangements to spend Valentine’s Day at a local soup kitchen or nursing home. Read to the elderly, or bake some cookies together to give to your local firefighters or police officers.

Try making your own Valentine’s card and including some coupons to do tasks for your partner that he or she dislikes, such as mowing the lawn, washing the car, or the dishes. Offer to take the kids out for an afternoon so your significant other can have some “me” time.

And for those who really want to make memories, Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular days to propose marriage. It’s estimated that 6 million people will get engaged on Valentine’s Day.