By Jenna Kepley
Edited By Michaela Mitchell
The time has come again to spend some hard-earned money on fragrant displays of love that will die in a few days and chocolates that will be consumed in half an hour. But after talking to people in Columbia, here are a few gifts to think twice about before you make that purchase.
It may be hard to resist the convenience of Valentine's Day displays that have popped up in stores this month, but most of the people interviewed wanted a little more thought put into their gifts.
Seven out of 18 people interviewed Monday, the day before Valentine's Day, said they did not want stuffed animals or boxes of chocolate this year.
"Stuffed animals just aren't original," said Sarah Robos, a student at USC, said.
But at Kitty's Hallmark Shop on Forest Drive, stuffed puppies and bears are a big hit, especially for children, manager Karen Dodge said.
"Most of our big teddy bears that are difficult to hide will be sold tomorrow," she said.
There are other options, but maybe not the pink and blue matching fishing rods that were a gift from Keenan Fisher's now ex-boyfriend.
"It was the worst gift I've ever gotten for Valentine's Day," Keenan Fisher, a junior at USC said.
However, if you and your significant other do enjoy fishing, Dick's Sporting Goods in Harbison carries his and hers fishing kits - The Zebco 33" His and Her Spincast Combo for $44.99
"But we don't sell many, " said Mike Carpenter, who works in the hunting and fishing department of Dick's.
A romantic dinner is usually a winner, unless your date ends up with food poisoning. Emily White, a junior athletic training student, ended her Valentine's Day on a sour note one year after getting food poisoning from a home cooked meal of scallops at her then boyfriend's house.
If you want to do a little research on the safety tips for preparing the perfect dish, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control website has them as well as restaurant health inspection ratings.
And websites such as yelp.com and TripAdvisor will tell you what others are saying about the restaurant you plan to visit.
If all else fails and you still are unsure about what to do, Terri Brown, a licensed professional counselor intern at Transitions Counseling Services, said men should not go out and get their ladies a gym membership because Valentine's Day should be a day of romantic indulgence. "Women don't need to receive gifts that insinuate they need to be in better shape. It is a time when a man is given the opportunity to express his unconditional love for his significant other, rather than expressing his desire for her to lose a few pounds," Brown said. "Let her know that she is special just the way she is."
