Valentine’s Day: What to Give on February 14

February 14 is the second most important date of the year for Argentine flower shops, after Mother’s Day. It’s also the date when the most people buy in a rush and end up paying top price for whatever is left.

The classic: red roses

No other flower says “romantic love” as clearly, and if your partner likes traditions, nothing beats it. What you can choose is the number, which has its own language:

• 1: “you’re the only one.” Simple and powerful.
• 3: “I love you.”
• 12: the dozen, the absolute standard.
• 24: “I think of you 24 hours a day.”
• 50 or more: a declaration with no half measures.

The full breakdown is in how many roses to give.

Alternatives if you want something different

Option	Why it works
Lavender roses	“Love at first sight.” Rarely seen and very elegant
Red tulips	They say the same thing with a more modern look
Preserved roses	They last for years. A gift that stays
Orchid	Refined love, and it lasts for months
Flower box + chocolates	The most requested format of recent years
Surprise breakfast	Starts the day with the gesture instead of ending it

A seasonal warning: tulips are not at their best in February in Argentina — they’re a cool-weather flower and February is midsummer here — so they may not be available in good quality. It’s the price of living in the Southern Hemisphere.

The last-minute mistake

Valentine’s Day is when the wholesale price of red roses rises the most worldwide: demand multiplies all over the world at the same time. Buying on the 13th or 14th means paying the peak and choosing from what’s left.

Booking seven to ten days ahead gets you the same product, a better price and the delivery time you want.

Timing

• To the office: between 10 a.m. and noon. It makes sure they’re there and everyone sees it.
• To their home: early in the morning.
• Confirm the recipient’s phone number. It’s what saves the most deliveries.
• If it’s a surprise, make sure someone will be there: in February, a bouquet waiting in a sunny hallway is ruined in twenty minutes.

What doesn’t cost money

If your budget is tight, these beat any bouquet: a handwritten letter — on paper, not a text —, recreating your first date, a playlist with an explanation for each song, or cooking with the table properly set.