Setting the Tone
by NICOLE TRAVIS
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| Roses are the traditional choice of flowers for Valentine’s Day, but there are a variety of flowers available in February, says Jennifer Hunt, flower shop manager at Countryside Flower Shop in Crystal Lake. |
Expressing love shouldn’t be a gesture limited to just one day of the year.
The wonderful thing about Valentine’s Day, however, is that it gives couples a reason to show their love for one another through gestures, gifts and words on a day designated for affection.
Jennifer Hunt, flower shop manager at Countryside Flower Shop in Crystal Lake, says that flowers can play an important role on Valentine’s Day.
“Flowers express things we can’t say in words,” she says.
“Between the fragrance and the color and the texture that you can get out of flowers, I don’t think you can necessarily convey that in words, especially men,” she adds, laughing.
Like flowers, chocolates are a classic addition to a Valentine’s Day celebration that help give couples a true taste of happiness.
“I think because it’s just so sweet and so delicious, it does bring out more of a romantic side of people,” says Claudia Kendzior, owner of Morkes Chocolates in Algonquin.
One of the best parts about Valentine’s Day chocolates is that they set the right mood for the day and the time of year, she says.
“It’s in early spring, and it’s such a nice treat, and it’s before Easter and before Lent usually, so it’s a nice, delicious treat that just brings people into a more romantic mood,” she says.
Both flowers and chocolates can contribute to a special evening in part because they can be customized for a loved one. But tried-and-true gifts aren’t always the way to go.
While roses are the traditional pick for Valentine’s Day, Hunt says they may not always be the best choice.
“Statistically, when women have been polled in our industry, roses are the last thing they would like to get because there are so many other beautiful flowers out there,” she says.
Hunt suggests different flower arrangements for the mid-February occasion, such as cymbidium orchids, which can live twice as long as roses once their stems have been cut, she says. Oriental lilies such as Casablanca and stargazer lilies also are a good choice.
“[They] give you beauty in the colors and the textures, but you also get them to open at various stages because you’re getting three to four blooms on a stem,” Hunt says.
“You watch them go from bud stage to open, and they have an amazing fragrance.”
These flowers also enjoy a longer life than traditional roses, she says.
Valentine’s Day chocolates also have begun to trend away from traditional boxes, as more customers favor heart-shaped boxes. And chocolate-covered strawberries are really moving up in the industry, Kendzior says.
“[Chocolate-covered strawberries] are extremely popular now, I think because people like that they’re getting a little bit of fruit and maybe not so much sweet, but the combination is really just to die for,” she says.
Chocolate-covered strawberries at Morkes Chocolates are available for $19.95 throughout the year.
Both Hunt and Kendzior feel that flowers and chocolate each perform better as an ensemble. Pairing suggestions for these Valentine’s Day treats also can include candles and wine.
“Anything that can appeal to the senses is a great addition,” Hunt says.
