My Foodie Valentine

A YEARLY event and celebration, the 14th of February has become synonymous with love, flowers, cards, teddy bears, balloons, chocolates, candies, strawberries, cherries and food, especially baked goodies. But one thing in common is the color red, and being “heart-shaped!

Much has been written about the history of St. Valentines, hence Valentine’s Day. But it wasn’t until the 19th century that this occasion became hugely popular, particularly the valentine card. Remember Hallmark Greetings? And the rest, as everyone would say, is history.

Remembering this “heart” day is particularly not hard since everybody seem to go into frenzy even months before the said date. But it is more evident and prominent a few weeks when almost every store and even houses are decorated with “cupids,, “hearts,” bows and arrows” and the like.

What started as simple cut-outs soon became more animated with red-colored items like whimsical music boxes, musical-winding figurines and even cards, lights, inflated valentine-shaped characters, table cloths, bedroom ensemble, flower vases, bags, dresses and the list goes on and on. Talk about “crazy-ness.”

Although this is not a holiday per se, this became one of the busiest time of the year, especially with florists and bakers. Not to forget also shops that sell little or large “I love you” stuffs.

Flowers, especially Red Roses, become a very hot commodity that prices of such can double, triple or quadruple! Some other “love” items can also go up within that period of time. Talk about product demand!

And in the evening, it will be restaurants, bistros, cafes and even carenderias where couples, married or not, would fill every seat available for a sweet and romantic candle-lit dinner. This has become the trend for everyone and as such, “reservations” must be done way ahead to guarantee seats.

Some would prefer to stroll, mall-ing, watch a movie, or spend some quiet time along the beach, the mountains and what have you. No wonder, according to studies, many are born in the month of November!

But let’s concentrate on baked goodies for now -- cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, cake pops, brownie pops, candies, ice cream and everything edible, as in the fad now, fruit bouquet, candy bouquet, cupcake bouquet.

For non-food items, we have of course balloon bouquet and flower bouquets.

Everyone who bakes must have been extra busy the last few days preparing, baking and decorating and on this special day, it will be delivery, pick up and “return of investments.” Also a time to “clean-up” after several days of working and running around. Not bad, huh?

I have seen bakeries and small entrepreneurs market their products in so many clever and exciting ways. And I must say, this really works and entices the public to splurge, particularly on this day. Buy one, take one free, buy one, take the second at half price, buy three get one free, and so on and so forth.

I can see cupcakes overtaking the cakes, specifically for the budget-conscious buyers. Say, red-velvet? And maybe those “pops” things, too.

Heart-shaped cookies and chocolates would also be on demand. I remember the time when I kind of started the “fad” in these edible items years and years ago. And it has definitely picked up since then.

Creativity and good packaging is a must. Sometimes the packaging costs even more than the item itself!

Waffles, breads, pies and almost anything edible comes in heart shapes during this time. Did we mention pudding, mousse and pizza, too?

But does it matter if it is for your love one? Besides, this only happens supposedly once a year as we know. But wouldn’t it be nice to be” in love” all year long? For world peace!

Happy Valentines to everyone!

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