The price of “love”

On the radio this morning (have I mentioned how much I love Pete and Brenda’s morning show of KFIS?), I heard the question, “We sell 1.5 billion of these every year on this day. What are they?” I had just arrived at work so I didn’t get to stick around for the answer. Instead, I hunted around online this afternoon and discovered … it’s Hershey’s kisses.

Yup, according to an article published yesterday by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Hershey’s estimates that it sells 1.5 billion of its famed chocolate Kisses every year on Valentine’s Day.” Wow … that’s a lot of chocolate!

The article also provided a plethora of other statistics about what I like to call a Hallmark Holiday. Here’s a few of the ones I found most interesting:

• In a recent survey of almost 9,000, the most romantic age group was 18- to 24-year-old set, 72% of whom plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day with their sweethearts.
• However, 25- to 34-year-olds are estimated to spend the most on their loved ones–$160 on average.
• The most popular gifts men plan to buy are flowers (58.2%), candy (45.0%) and jewelry (26.5%).
• Hallmark offers more than 2,000 options in Valentine’s Day cards.
• For florist, V-Day is #1, capturing 36% of all holiday fresh-cut-flower purchases and 40% of the dollar volume.
• Of the 2.3 million weddings in the U.S. each year, just 9% of the proposals occur February.
• For those contemplating tying the knot: engagement rings are averaging about $4,435, while the ceremony total averages closer to $27,852.

Ouch! I can’t believe people spend that kind of money just to show they care. Don’t they understand the saying that you “can’t buy love?” If you do, it’s not truly love!  Not the deep, abiding, lasting kind of Biblical love that I believe in, anyway.  Besides, there are so many better ways to show affection than with physical objects like flowers that fade and die, or expensive jewelry that could so easily be lost. Try a writing a thoughtful poem, cooking a meal together, or just spending time with the person you love.

I told my fiancé that I didn’t need roses or a fancy night out on the town. Just a quiet evening together … and maybe a few Hershey’s kisses for dessert … is all I want. Because there’s no price tag on my love for him; I give it freely, willingly and without reserve. ♥

And because that’s the way God gives his love to us (1 John 4:9).

Birkenstock Valentine’s Clog

I’m not normally a Birkenstocks kind of girl, and I’m not sure I’d actually even wear the Birki’s Dorian clog if I had a pair, but if they had a lower price tag I’d be tempted!

With the bright red heart split between the pair, this clog looks like it was designed just for today. However, it’s not overly cutesy, either. If I were a Birks gal (and could afford $97.95 for a single pair of clogs), I’d certainly stomp about in them on more than one day of the year.

Without a doubt, though, my favorite element is the artistic sketches that cover the rest of the leather-like upper. Like Kristen of BarkingDogShoes.com says, they’re ideal for a game of I Spy. Start with the Eiffel Tower at the left toe, spot the champagne bottles on the right, admire a number of roses or immerse yourself in words like “Love” and “Paris.” Personally, I love the tiny butterflies that float around in between the larger artwork.