I think many people must be showing off the flowers they had received for Valentine's Day. Surely it must be one of the most commercialised "celebration" in the world. Half a dozen roses for $158, I overheard. Nevertheless, in the spirit of "showing offness", I think my presents win. Hands down.
Anyone with the dough can jump into Google, type in "flowers" and hey pesto! A bunch of soon-to-be-dead plants will be delivered at the doorstep, with a card wishing you a "Happy Valentine's Day!!11! From: Your Darling". How very. Very. Very. R.O.M.A.N.T.I.C. I'm swooning... From disgust that is.
Flower as present on VDay is the most boring and predictable gift you can give someone you proclaim to love. I find it a waste of money. On the other hand, maybe that's why some like it: if you love me enough to get me something useless and expensive, you must really love me. Why! I heard that you cannot even request the florist to write mushy verses. No "hunny pumpkin baby pie", no "yours till London Bridge really falls down". Just "To: XXX. Happy Valentine's Day. From: YYY". Wow!
On the other hand, my first gift is infinitely more thoughtful than thorny roses. And just as sweet as sugary chocolate.
Doughnuts from S.J! You have or not?!
What? Stupid doughnuts, I hear you exclaim? Ladies and gentlemen, you CANNOT get these doughnuts without first queuing
2 hours for them! Heh! These babies will put your 5-minute online order of 6 roses to shame.
Present no. 2 is just as power. Sometimes you casually mention to a friend that you like their stuff. And it just happens that that stuff is not easy to find and is certainly out of the way enough to make you sigh and mutter "it's not
that nice. However! Said friend will have taken note of your comment, and, despite the famous fact that all girls hate to have friends who go and buy stuff they had bought first (otherwise known as the "me first" syndrome), they will buy you the exact stuff just because they are what they are: friends.
J.T got me these darling earrings when I mentioned that I love them to death and would perish without getting my grubby paws on them. And that I am too lazy to brave the crowds at the busy stall.
Surely a winner over standard off-the-shelves Valentine's Day cards. Pui!
Something rare is something treasured, no? Although no. 3 is nothing terribly expensive (actually, it's almost free), the fact that an anti-Valentine's day-er bothered to give you something because he believes it would make you happy is worth many times more than $6000-a-night hotel rooms. Anyway, I don't mind if you want to sponsor me such a room. Or two. Or three. Or as many as you can afford.
S.K cared enough to move his mouse over the (f) icon in MSN to send me an e-rose.
Something that won't die like real flowers and does not take up any space shall emerge triumphant over your readily-purchased "branded" chocolate that tastes just like generic brands.
Even more amazing is how someone took care to give you a present despite being from a generation that hardly celebrates VDay. If you want love, this is it. Someone who does not want you to feel left out (even if you don't care one way or the other whether a bouquet drops on your lap), and is ever ready to seek out what you like and offer to buy it at the drop of a pin.
Dried mango from Mama. Not cheap ok. $40/kg. You go imagine how heavy one piece is already. I just mentioned that it's nice and she got it.
Mummy dearest heard me exclaim over a stuffed toy at a shop and picked it up immediately, telling me she was going to get it for me. Very touching.
Some days, I had to remind her that I'm over 2 decades old. In spite of my outwards childishness and liking for cute things, I rather just appreciate the thought that comes with the offer. You cannot have any present greater in value than that.
