They say true love is unconditional. But that smile on your loved one's face when you present him/her with a gift on Valentine's Day is priceless, isn't it? In sync with the season of love, stores in town have a treasure trove of special gifts.
Sarwaa at Shanker's Road, Sasthamangalam, 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. If your significant other appreciates the quirky side of life, check out trinkets by Chumbak and Happily Unmarried. The ‘ Pyaar Vyaar with puppets' notebook from Chumbak, in which you can scribble sweet nothings and cut out puppets, is a great buy.
Go organic
The trend this season, it seems, is to declare your love with organic flowers, cards using recycled paper and other eco-friendly products. “We will also be selling potted roses,” says Tigi Philip of Sarwaa.
This year too Archies at Style Plus 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 choosen 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. “If you are not a wordsmith, the love letter at Archie's is a smart choice,” quips another.
For these teens, cards seem to be the most preferred gift. Archie's life-size cards on love are worth a glance.
Music, the food of love
Shakespeare's mantra that music is the food of love still rings true. There is a plethora of new music CDs such as Love 101 , OMG , I'm in Love and You complete me to gift to your loved one. If they like Malayalam music then there are a number of CDs featuring romantic chartbusters that makes the heart skip a beat.
On food shelves too, the season rings true, with chocolates and strawberries being the favourites. “We have heart-shaped chocolates, mousses, cheesecakes, pastries, gateaux, brownies and muffins, predominantly in strawberry and blueberry flavours,” says Amina Musaliyar of All Spice Bakers.
Chocolates and jewels
Caramel at Taj Vivanta, Vazhuthacaud, has an exciting Chocolate festival with chocolates, rum balls, hot chilli chocolates, nut rocks and so on for Valentine's Day. Or, why not treat your loved one to a sit down dinner by the poolside at the hotel where you can feast on a special menu.
If you fancy an expensive gift, Joy Alukkas jewellers has a Valentine's special chain titled ‘Joy of Everlasting Love' that has a heart-shaped diamond pendant. Meanwhile, Bhima Jewellers has introduced heart-shaped rings for couples, light-weight gold jewellery, heart-shaped pendants and bracelets and silver jewellery. It's raining hearts, love and happiness! What are you waiting for?
