Carol Fisher Linn
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Why not make it a little more interesting this year?
The Buffalo News stated that this January has been the Januariest in terms of weather conditions. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on February 2! Buckle up for six more weeks of winter. These circumstances make one want to just snuggle up near a fire with a good book or, better still, a special someone. One can easily imagine the goddess of love, Venus, and Mercury, the winged messenger of the gods, might have also found themselves in bitter cold circumstances. Naturally, this could have easily been the reason for the birth of their love-child, Cupid. Or so mythology, or my imagination, would have us believe.
According to Britannica, for the most part, Cupid was sweet, bringing happiness to both mortal and immortal couples. But, occasionally, Cupid’s mischief, or even his mom mischievous plans didn’t go as planned. You see, Venus wanted to use Cupid in a revenge move against the mortal Psyche. But Cupid fell victim to his own conspiracies and fell in love with Psyche, making her his immortal wife. Venus was not a happy mother-in-law! Perhaps this is where some of those mother-in-law jokes stem from?
Curious if school children still labor over the perfect card for each classmate, I went online to Amazon and found a payload of kids cards with characters from Bluey, Paw Patrol, Minecraft, cards with stickers, cards with keychains, holographic and scented cards, etc., from $6.99 a pack to $25/$30 a pack. I was surprised. What pleased me most was that cards had places for the young ones to write their names and maybe a sweet note. Some things don’t change, after all!
Realizing that even kids can shell out up to $30 or more for their classroom valentine cards without even considering the extra cost for a gift for teacher and favorite friend, I got to wondering what Americans might be spending this year to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I thought it would be reined in, considering the chaos around today’s economic situation. But, according to Retail Wire, “in a January 27 press release from the National Retail Federation, US consumers are expected to spend a record high $29.1 billion for Valentine’s Day, 2026 (last year $27.5 billion). Shoppers are budgeting a record $199.78 on average for gifts.” That’s a lot of Valentine love!
Statistically, more than half of consumers will be celebrating Valentine’s Day this year. For fun shopping let’s hope you find yourself in tourist venues such as Ellicottville, Bemus Point or Lakewood. I am especially charmed by the Valentine’s Day offering of Guppy’s Restaurant in Bemus Point (guppystavern.com/716-386-4433). Imagine this: they are “setting the scene for romance with a 3-course Valentine’s dinner, complimentary champagne, and a one-of-a-kind private heated ski gondola dining experience that’s cozy, intimate, and just plain magical. First 30 reservations receive a cozy sherpa blanket to snuggle up with.” How sweet and out-of-the box is that? (Limited seatings in gondolas February 13 and 14, reservations needed for special gondola seating only, no reservations needed for dining room with full menu.)
In Ellicottville, pampering happe
ns year-round, but Valentine’s Day is a special time to discover the quiet, calm, soothing side of Ellicottville by enjoying a couples hot stone massage at Holiday Valley’s Oasis Spa, a soothing massage at Anew Beginning on Monroe Street, or halotherapy in the authentic European style Salt Cave on W. Washington St. Of course, one has an amazing choice of restaurants in Ellicottville and since candy remains the most popular Valentine’s Day gift, with 56% of consumers planning to purchase candy, you can find the candy of her dreams at Watson’s. And don’t forget your first sweetheart, Momma, on this day!
A record 35% of consumers plan to purchase Valentine’s Day gifts for their pets this year. Spend some of that Valentine’s money on your favorite furbaby by having its portrait done. Nadine Saviano in Ellicottville offers doggie portraits, and in Chautauqua County Kaycee Colburn (KayCo), Pamela Spremulli and Kelly Johnson offer portraits. As a pet lover, there would be no better Valentine’s Day gift for me than a puppy portrait. Well, and maybe a box of mixed sponge from Watson’s, mmmm, and maybe some flowers. (Swan Street Florist in Salamanca is the best.) Oh, Kazoo has the best jewelry, or maybe a lovely fragrance from Ava Grace or GI Threads, or any of large assortment of gifts at Pea Pod and Juniper in Lakewood.
So many delicious choices. Enjoy the holiday, forget practical, and shop with your heart. Happy Valentine’s Day.