Valentines Day: Opening Hearts and Wallets

It's that time of the year again - time to break out the greeting cards, chocolates and flowers. Valentine's Day is upon us, and whether you have someone to celebrate it with or not, it's hard to ignore. Hallmark and other companies have a distinct way of reminding us of this day, and getting us to open up our hearts and our wallets.

Some of us like to hand out candy and other delectable treats, and this year there is plenty to offer. The famous doughnut maker, Krispy Kreme, is making a special Valentines Day doughnut! The new heart shaped doughnuts are coated with white icing and red, white, and pink sprinkles. The doughnuts will not be produced after February 14.

Even the famous Black and White Cookie Company is offering a heart shaped cookie with strawberry and vanilla, or strawberry and chocolate icing, as opposed to their flagship black and white cookie that made them famous. (Remember that old Seinfeld episode?)

Of course, if chocolates are your thing, there will be no shortage there either. According to the Chocolate Manufacturers Association and National Confectioners Association, more than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold for Valentine's Day.

How can you go wrong with roses? According to the Society of American Florists, an estimated 180 million roses were purchased for Valentine's Day in 2005. And, Valentine's Day is the number one floral market holiday, capturing 35 percent of holiday transactions and 34 percent of dollar volume.

Some couples may decide to get away for a romantic weekend. If you're one of those couples looking for a romantic setting, look no further than Mendocino County, California. Mendocino County is home to some of the most romantic historic inns, hotels, and bed & breakfasts in America. Visitors to the area can enjoy the tastes of local wine, dine on meals created from local produce, or cuddle by the fire and take in views of the Pacific Ocean. For more information on this "lovely" destination, visit: http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-29334243_ITM

If you can't get away, then maybe movies are the thing to get you in the mood for celebrating this day of love. There are plenty of on-screen and DVD choices for you this year. In the big-screen romantic comedy "Because I Said So", Stephen Collins plays the love interest of Diane Keaton, proving that love is possible at any age.

If you're in the mood to curl up on the couch, try one of the romantic collections the studios have released for DVD. The "Girl's Night in Collection" has five romantic comedies to watch in the comfort of your own home with the one you love. Movies included in this set are: "Just Like Heaven", "Forces of Nature", "What Women Want", "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days", and "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton".

Or, check out "The Romantic Favorites Collection", a four-disc set featuring "Notting Hill", "Love Actually", "About a Boy" and "Bridget Jones -- The Edge of Reason." For more details on these movies and more, go to: http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-29298443_ITM

Of course not all of us get into the spirit of things. While some are celebrating their love for each other, others choose to ignore it due to recent break-ups and general bitterness! According to a Yahoo! Personals poll, this is National Break-Up Season! During this time, people are more than twice as likely to think about ending a relationship, than any other time of the year. People tend to evaluate their relationships with the start of the New Year, and may even make a resolution to end it and find a fresh, new start! This in turn may leave them alone and bitter when February 14th rolls around! On a personal note, I got engaged to my husband on Valentine's Day seven years ago. I must have resolved to exercise more that year!

So, whether you plan to embrace the holiday, or just ignore it, remember it's just another day on the calendar. (Of course, try telling that to the retailers as they listen to the sound of their cash registers, or to all those young couples in love!) Heck, you might as well at least have a chocolate or two!

About The Author-- Laura Watkins is a contributing business writer for Goliath. Goliath is one of the Internet's largest collections of business research, news and information.

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