Spoil your loved one

Rutendo Kanogoiwa Showbiz Reporter
Today is the day of emotions. People break up, get engaged, cry and laugh. Not many people believe in Valentine’s Day celebrated annually on February 14, or let alone celebrate it. Some say they have never understood the celebrations and why it’s a must for men to buy the gifts leap or no leap year. With or without gifts, love is expressed and appreciated today and when one is not showered with gifts, it does not mean they are not loved.

Chronicle Showbiz took a walk around Bulawayo to try and understand the hype around today’s celebrations of love. Red roses which have been displayed along the City Hall streets are hard to ignore and are stealing the hearts of many, with ladies walking around with their men hinting that they would not mind a bouquet.

Little gift and sweets shops are well stocked with various gifts from cards to chocolates, mugs and key holders.

But men, instead of looking forward to the day, were visibly stressed, shopping around for their women, for fear of being dumped.

“This day is my worst and probably every man’s because if the women don’t receive anything on Valentine’s Day, all hell will break loose. If one isn’t careful, you may wake up single the next day.

“As the day gets closer, all they’ll be talking about is what they would want and telling us how they’re looking forward to the day,” said a stressed Noble Maphosa.

He said he was only buying the gift for fear of being dumped.

“I’m not buying this gift from the bottom of my heart but I just have to present something to her on Valentine’s. Last year, I didn’t get her anything on the day and she was moody for a couple of days after. I ended up taking her to a resort to apologise.”

Most men concurred saying if they had their way, they would just carry on with their day to day activities and ignore the celebrations completely.

But Thomas Ncube said Valentine’s Day should be celebrated every day and not only prioritised once a year.

“Couples should appreciate each other every day and not wait for the day when everyone does the same thing,” he said as he looked around for a gift to buy for his lover.

Teddy bears, huge cards, perfumes, roses, lingerie and cups are available at most shops with very few masculine gifts available besides the watches which are on display.

Tonderai Nyoni said she did not believe that men were the only ones who were meant to treat their women on Valentine’s Day as it should be mutual.

“Every year, I make an effort to buy a gift for my man as I also want to show him how much I love and appreciate him,” she said.

Most women, however, highlighted that choosing gifts for their significant others had not only proven to be very cumbersome and stressing moment, but expensive as their gifts do not come cheap.

Charles Tshuma said he was not fussy and appreciated any form of gift as it was the thought which counts.

“It’s always a great surprise receiving a gift from my girlfriend as I’m used to being the provider. Any gift is fine by me, especially a bottle of my favourite whisky,” said Tshuma.

The most common gifts for men are towels of their favourite football teams, watches, shoes and the famous Beat by Dre headphones.

While many take the celebrations seriously, some women use the day for money scams, getting men they do not necessarily love to buy them gifts or give them money. Some women are in the habit of rekindling old flames, only to dump them again just after Valentine’s Day.

A father of two who identified himself as Masuku said he hoped to spoil his wife but could not do so as he had other responsibilities.

“I’ve a lot of responsibilities. Bills have to be paid, children have to be fed and clothed. The last thing on my mind is pumping out more money for Valentine’s. We’ll maybe just do dinner,” Masuku said.

There are so many ways in which couples and families can celebrate the glorified day. Couples can either watch movies all day, go for picnics or have dinner at home. It does not always have to be about spending extra money but being with your better half and spending quality time. With the shows lined up in Bulawayo tonight, one can also club hop as many artists will be performing.