A dozen red roses and a heart-shaped box of chocolates: the ultimate in Valentine?s Day etiquette or so-five-decades-ago cliché?
“I think we should keep the traditional. Is there anything more breath-taking than a heart shaped box of candy?” muses Marian Wockenfuss of the Baltimore confections, which bear her family name.
Wockenfuss notes that her customers typically prefer their chocolates “hand-packed to their own choice,” and the old favorites like chocolate cherry cordials, trufflesand buttercreams continue to sell well.
“The newest thing is the chocolate strawberries, which people think are out of this world. Sugarfree is extremely popular, too. People think that less sugar means less calories, it doesn?t work that way,” she added.
Albert Kirchmayr of A. Kirchmayr Chocolatier in Timonium admits “trends are changing a bit. In the last few years, we?ve really seen an increase in the consumption of dark chocolate because of the apparent health effects.”
People are also becoming particular about their chocolate.
“We?re more sophisticated in our consumption. People want to know what?s the cocoa percentage in the chocolate, do you have 70 or 80 percent? We?ve had requests for chocolate with such a high content, it?s so bitter you can barely eat it,” he said.
So while some ponder purchasing sugarless, 90 percent cocoa, dark chocolate, others may ask, what about the flowers?
“One thing?s for certain ? roses are still the No. 1 seller for Valentine?s Day,” said Carole Langrall, owner of A Garden of Earthly Delights in Catonsville. Langrall notes that what has changed is the variety of colors and types of roses that are available.
“Why not go vibrant and try some orange or lavender roses? There?s even bicolored varieties and at some exclusive shops, tricolored blended roses,” she said.
For Jacqueline Dezes of Lord Baltimore Florist, the Valentine?s tradition that needs changing is not the flowers you buy, but when you buy them.
“Put in your order by the 10th or 11th; don?t wait till the 13th or the 14th. Many people order by computer the last minute,” she said. “It?s better to pick up the phone and talk to the florist, let us guide you, that?s what we?re here for.”
