After watching some morning talk show hosts despair over what to give for Valentine’s Day, and get a lesson in what different kinds of floral bouquets mean to the recipient (this was news to me), I was glad to see this article in today’s Raleigh News & Observer.
Not that one should not celebrate Valentine’s Day with something fun and even frivolous (though Vermont Teddy Bear, which used to sell itself as cute and cuddly, even wholesome, went the sleazy route this season with its ‘Teddys to seduce your honey’ pitch), but Valentine’s Day is not really about ‘a fat baby with an arrow,’ in the words of this morning’s announcer. Nor it is an obligation to ante up the most expensive gift one can muster to demonstarte one’s affection.
It may seem difficult to find something that is meaningful, while avoiding an unintentional landmine of innuendo. Here’s one really good idea I have experienced: a former boyfriend once went to the Red Cross and donated blood, at my request, as a Valentine’s present. I wasn’t able to donate myself at the time. He even came back with a signed certificate to prove it–I don’t know where they got one?one of the best Valetine’s gifts I have ever received.
Better yet, this particualr gift has all the traditional earmarks of a sincere Valentine’s gift–it’s red, involves the heart, and requires no interpretation as to its meaning. It’s also free, and in this case, there’s nothing wrong with that.
Not that I don’t appreciate the roses now sitting on my desk, thanks to that former boyfriend.
