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Valentine’s Day is big business, with consumers
expected to spend an average of $77.43 on Valentine’s Day
gifts this year.
E-commerce retailers expect to rack up about $650 million in sales
of food, candy, flowers and other Valentine’s Day gifts.
Of that amount, about $350 million will be for gifts and flowers,
and another $45 million will be spent on food, including chocolate
and wine.
As the second largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year
(after Christmas), about 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards
will be exchanged again this year.
The oldest known valentines were sent in 1415 A.D. by the duke
of Orleans to his French wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower
of London. It is still on display in a museum in England. The
first American publisher of valentines was printer and artist
Esther Howland. During the 1870s, her elaborate lace cards were
purchased by the wealthy, as they cost a minimum of $ — some
sold for as much as $35.
Mass production eventually brought prices down, and the affordable
“penny valentine” became popular with the lower classes.
• In 1537, St. Valentine’s Day was declared an official
holiday, declared so by England’s King Henry VIII.
• One single perfect red rose framed with baby’s breath
is referred to by some florists as a “signature rose,”
and is the preferred choice for many for giving on Valentine’s
Day, anniversary, or birthday.
• Only the U.S., Canada, Mexico, France, Australia and the
U.K. celebrate Valentine’s Day.
• Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin
flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry
a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and
be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.
The heart is the most common symbol of romantic love. Ancient
cultures believed the human soul lived in the heart. Others thought
it to be the source of emotion and intelligence. Some believed
the heart embodied a man’s truth, strength and nobility.
The heart may be associated with love because the ancient Greeks
believed it was the target of Eros, known as Cupid to the Romans.
Anyone shot in the heart by one of Cupid’s arrows would fall
hopelessly in love. Because the heart is so closely linked to
love, its red color is thought to be the most romantic.
Chocolate
Covered Strawberries
1 (12 oz.) pkg. milk chocolate chips
2 Tbs. shortening
1 lb. fresh strawberries with leaves
Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries.
In a double-boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring
occasionally until smooth. Holding strawberries with toothpicks
through stem area, dip a little more than halfway into the chocolate
mixture, letting extra chocolate drip back into pan before placing
berries on waxed paper to set. For a fancier look, drizzle a little
melted white chocolate over the milk chocolate covered berries.
Valentine
Pretzel Rods
White chocolate chips
Whole pretzel rods
Red, white and/or pink sprinkles (“jimmies”)
Wax paper
Melt chocolate according to package directions. Dip pretzel
rods in the chocolate and place on the wax paper. After the chocolate
has hardened, dip them again and then roll them in the sprinkles.
Place them on a new sheet of wax paper to harden.
Secret
Kiss Cookies
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Sifted powdered sugar
1 pkg. Hershey Kisses, foil removed
Cream butter, sugar and vanilla with 1 Tbsp. water. Stir
in flour and nuts; mix well. Shape dough around Hershey Kisses
forming a ball. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake
at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on rack; roll in powdered
sugar. Makes about 60 cookies.
Brownie
Heart
Prepare a brownie mix or homemade brownie recipe.
Pour into a greased heart-shaped pan. Bake and allow to cool.
With whipped cream, spray an outline of a heart in the middle
of the brownie. Place cherries or chopped strawberries inside
the heart.
Red
Krispie Treats
Prepare Rice Krispies treats from recipe on box
and add red food coloring. Spread into a 13x9-inch pan and cool.
With a heart cookie cutter cut Rice Krispies out. This is a simple
and easy “kid’s recipe” they can make for their
family and friends.
Don’t forget your copy of “Lovin’ Spoonful
. . . Cooking With Family and Friends,” a compilation
of nearly 400 mouth-watering recipes by Sherrie Norris.
It is available at all locations of High Country Media
– Boone, Banner Elk, West Jefferson, and at The
Avery Journal in Newland, all Boone Drugs, Black Bear
Books, Trailway Laundry, Wilcox Emporium,( top level,
booth 312-W,) and beginning June 15 at Mast Store locations.
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