My husband has been debating this issue with me all week. His theory is that women don't really want wine or champagne for a gift on Valentines Day - unless it's accompanied by a "cuddle factor" - jewelry, flowers, dinner out, chocolate.
He continues by saying that he thinks that the best gift that a woman can buy a man on V-Day is WINE. A great red. Period. So simple, so tasteful (no pun intended), one size fits all.
He keeps encouraging me to write a blog about how women can't go wrong buying "their guy" (or Dad, brother, friend) wine on this day of romance.
And while he might be right on the 'buy the guy' thing - is he right that women don't want wine for Valentines Day?
I'm probably not the typical woman because a great bottle of wine for me says a lot about the gift giver. First, they know that I will appreciate it because I think that wine is a really thoughtful gift. Second, I'm all about consuming my gifts these days - both on the giving and receiving end. Gourmet food, olive oil, a cute box of my latest chocolate discovery - you name it, if it can be eaten (or drunk) I'm all for it. And it's not only because I don't need anything (I don't) but rather because it gives me pleasure more than other things that go in a drawer or in the closet.
And there's usually a great story behind the food or the wine that's given like "I had this wine on a recent trip to Paris and I couldn't wait to find it here and give it to you" or "I bought these homemade artisnal dips at my local farmers market and knew you would enjoy eating them". What kind of story goes with a piece of jewelry or a sweater?
Now don't get me wrong - I get that there are many women who place a lot of weight on the meaning behind the Valentines Day gift - he (or she) loves me more because they bought me something expensive, from a store I love (you can fill in the blanks). Or they are "serious" about the relationship because they gave me something intimate, personal or that they knew I wanted.
But really, has it come down to that women need to be fussed over in a way guys don't on Valentines Day - haven't we moved beyond that?
Case in point. My favorite gift of the last year was an Alessi dust buster. It's gorgeous, too expensive to have bought for myself (it was a gift from close friends who know me so well) - and I use it almost everyday. It gives me so much pleasure to use it - and it looks great as well as works perfectly.
My husband's favorite gift of the last year was a gift of Scrabble - he's just learning to play and he loves having his own set ($16 at the Rite Aid, ok I was in a super cheap mood).
It seems to me that both of these gifts share something in common which is why they give us each so much pleasure. They get used and that's why we enjoy them.
As a woman, I always think that there's nothing worse than getting something that's pretty - and pretty useless - all at the same time.
So while I'm still open to candy and flowers this Valentines Day - honey are you listening - I'm really just craving a bottle of Date Night 05 Cabernet available at our store Wine Valet http://wine-valet.com ($82)/300 cases - to have with this great box of Bridgewater Chocolates http://www.bridgewaterchocolate.com/ (dark assorted) that my closest friends in NYC sent us as the perfect way to end today.
What's your thoughts on whether women would rather have a plushy, cuddly gift rather than a bottle of wine?
Happy V.Day.
