Feb 14, 2008
Valentine's Day:
If you’re reading this for gift ideas, you’re quickly running out of time
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Valentine’s Day — that reddish-pink blip on winter’s dreary radar — arrives every February 14, yet often gets pushed to the backs of minds and schedules until that dreaded last minute. Ensuing gift-finding frenzies can turn thoughtful intentions into amorous clichés and result in a less-than-perfect evening.
This year, skip that.
The following is a guide to finding local, last-minute expressions of new found affection or vintage intimacy that appeal to all five senses, of which St. Valentine himself would have approved.
Taste
For Francos Wine Merchants owner and oenophile Rick Franco, nothing says Valentine’s Day — or rather whispers it sweetly — like champagne.
“Generally what we see on Valentine’s Day is champagne,” he said. “We will see some red wine, but I think champagne has the tendency to inspire romance.”
One of the most romantic evenings he has spent with Mrs. Franco happened early in his marriage, he said, when the couple celebrated New Year’s eating Big Macs and drinking Dom Perignon.
“I think champagne can go with just about anything. There’s something unspoken about champagne that seems to lend a thoughtfulness,” he said.
Francos offers many champagne brands, including perennial favorites Dom Perignon, Louis Roederer Cristal and Veuve Clicquot’s Grande Dame.
Mr. Franco also suggested the lesser-known Larmandier-Bernier for Valentine’s Day, as vinteurs Sophie and Pierre are “just a husband and wife team. They have a small plot of land and maybe it just conveys the intimacy of St. Valentine’s.”
Though Mr. Franco believes champagne should be enjoyed “unadulterated” — no mimosas or any derivation thereof — Valentine’s Day is incomplete without the dark, rich feast of the senses that is chocolate.
The chocolate explosion of the last few years, however, has overloaded sweet shops with choco-options and the hearts of casual connoisseurs with anxiety.
Worry not, said Canaan Parish Sweet Shoppe owner Anne Chou; everyone likes all kinds of chocolate.
But, she said, women tend to favor dark and men worry less about the grade than the accouterments.
“Men like nuts and fruits, but they don’t care milk or dark,” she said.
For children, Ms. Chou recommended the Sweet Shoppe’s house brand. For adults, she suggested Neuhaus or pre-heart-packaged Godiva truffles.
For tongue-tied kids and adults looking to romance their sweethearts with sweet nothings, Ms. Chou said conversation hearts work at any age.
Touch
If champagne whispers “Valentine’s Day,” then lingerie safely screams it, and there’s nothing like the feel of silk.
Local experts since they opened a sister branch to their Westport store on Elm Street in town this summer, the staff of Soleil Toile said lingerie colors compliment personalities and create different moods.
Sales associate Susan Langford said red is dangerous, white is innocent and pink is somewhere in between.
But, she said, “Men love women in red.”
Fellow associate Judith Stokes said black could not be discounted for its drama and sexiness, and that ivory denoted sophistication.
There is no typical Valentine’s Day gift, said Ms. Langford; a woman would be equally delighted to receive a babydoll, a chemise, or a bra and panties, depending on her lingerie comfort level and age.
Ms. Langford said she sets at ease men shopping for their lovers through humor, and by asking questions about the recipient that result in the best gift choice.
While Ms. Langford and Ms. Stokes are experts in sizing women, they say it is helpful for a man to know his lover’s size before he comes into the store; the proverbial “about your size” does not often produce the best fit.
For the woman who wants to feel dangerous and sexy, Ms. Langford suggested a Wendy Glez Babydoll and matching lace-up boy pant. For intrigue at any age, Ms. Langford suggested a black lace and chiffon long chemise with matching velvet-trimmed robe from Jonquils. La Perla lingerie, she said, is always classy and appropriate.
Sight
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and though she may not be expecting jewelry today, a girl won’t be disappointed if a nice piece happens to turn up.
“Valentine’s Day is to express love or be passionate,” said Harry French, chief executive officer of Henry C. Reid & Son jewelers on Elm Street. “If you’re passionate, it’s jewelry. It’s a special-meaning piece.”
But the piece must be unique, said Mr. French, who asks would-be givers details about the recipient before he counsels them.
“For example, ‘Is she tall?’” asked Mr. French. If so, he recommends longer necklaces and bolder pieces.
A woman’s preference for white or yellow gold is also of concern.
“For a while, it was all platinum,” he said. “Yellow is becoming popular,” as are versatile, layering pieces like Marc Bicego’s Paradise collection or Roberto Coin’s new line.
Mr. French said it’s appropriate to give jewelry in any relationship more than a few days long, but that rings should cause pause.
“Rings may indicate more commitment,” but, he said, in longer relationships, gifts generally “build” in extravagance.
At Pennyweights, manager Kelly Sigg recommended a vermeil necklace with red coral designs for Valentine’s Day.
“Vermeil is 22-karat gold over sterling silver,” she said. “It’s been selling really well.”
Ms. Sigg also said women love charm bracelets and recommended a sterling silver bracelet with a heart charm for young women and charms representing children for mothers.
“It can be a Valentine’s Day tradition,” she said of adding new charms each year.
Smell
Giving flowers on Valentine’s Day is an old but untired tradition, according to the staff of Bon Fleur on Cherry Street.
“That’s the worst thing to do to a woman,” said owner Madeline MacCanka of not giving them.
For the best selection, she said, an order should be placed four days in advance — make that next year’s goal — and one should expect to pay at least $150.
“Typically the guys don’t care,” about the hefty price tag, said Ms. MacCanka. “Usually it’s the women who are shocked.”
As to what to which flowers one’s $150 or more should buy, Ms. MacCanka recommended tradition with a twist.
“I still love roses,” she said, “but a dozen just doesn’t cut it. Two dozen looks so much better.”
“It’s stepping it up a notch,” said employee Carrie Wilcox.
Sandy Mellin of Ivy Lane Florist at Main and Elm streets, disagreed, however, that quantity makes the gift.
“I don’t think that’s true. I think it’s the thought behind it that determines whether or not it cuts it,” she said.
Ms. Mellin said boyfriends often send flowers to a girlfriend’s workplace while husbands usually send them home, but that there was no rule as to where to send them.
The arrangement versus vase versus box question is one of “knowing your significant other,” said Ms. Mellin. “A lot of women enjoy the process of arranging flowers.”
Bon Fleur’s May Fausing was of a different mind.
“Don’t make her work,” she said. “That’s not fair.”
Roses — even in colors other than red — are a safe bet, but so is elegance, added Bon Fleur’s Jill Davis, who said French tulips are stately, as are lilac and orchids of any kind.
Sound
Flowers will die and champagne, no matter how fine, won’t be good tomorrow. And there is such a thing as too much chocolate, even if it’s not one’s taste buds that are saying so.
What will last is a good novel to read aloud to one’s sweetheart. Kathleen Millard, manager of Elm Street Books, recommended several new works.
“The Appeal” by John Grisham, which Ms. Millard called “very interesting,” centers around toxic pollution and the buying of an influential judge.
Kitty Sewell’s “Ice Trap” tells of a doctor involved in a paternity suit and a web of lies.
Ms. Millard called Michael Kodo “amazing,” and said that he will be at the New Canaan Library at 4 p.m. Sunday, February 24, promoting his new book, “High Crimes: The Fate of Everest in an Age of Greed,” about the corruption of the climbing industry that has plagued Mt. Everest in recent years.
“This is a story that reads like an adventure,” said Ms. Millard. “But it’s true.”
For those wanting “sweets and romance,” Ms. Millard suggested “Poetry to Share Your Love” by Michael Schmidt and “Love Poems” from Everyman’s Library Pocket books.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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