Return of Valentinea��s a�?leftoversa��

Bruce Ndlovu
Ever wondered what happens to all the gifts and trinkets that get left over when Valentinea��s Day inevitably comes and goes?

In the past fortnight, red and white has been the theme in Bulawayoa��s shops as they attempt to cash in on the month of love.

Goods on stock range from the usual teddy bears and much loved roses to evening dresses and fancy lingerie. Cards and other assortment of Valentinea��s Day branded gifts also form part of the inventory of goods associated with the lovera��s day.

However, when the clock strikes midnight on Sunday, what do shop owners do with the leftover gifts that have been neglected by buyers?

According to Kevin Zindodyeyi, whose gift shop has been running with the Valentinea��s theme in the past few weeks, there is nothing else to do with leftover gifts but to dust them up and store them for next year.

He added that although most bought their gifts on or before Valentinea��s Day, the period of spending associated with the day extended to the next few weeks as couples who might have missed the deadline bought belated gifts.

a�?You just keep the presents preserved for next year because gifts are not perishable so they dona��t expire. Generally people keep buying the gifts even after the day has passed so the best thing is to keep them on display a few weeks after Valentinea��s Day,a�? he said.

According to a worker at Treasure Trove, a popular gift retail outlet in the City of Kings, most couldna��t tell the difference between old and new gifts.

a�?Most people cana��t tell the difference between goods that have been brought in for the new season and those from last year. The quality remains the same so people generally have no complaints,a�? he said.