Recession hit Valentine's Day preparations

Recession hit Valentine's Day's preparations

JAIPUR: Look before you (show your) love, seems to be the mantra this Valentine's Day, with prices soaring and pockets shrinking, this time around the love birds seem to watch their wallets as they express their emotions on the day of love. 

From love birds to those who cater to them, every one seems to be reeling under the recession blues. 

"Every year I gift my girlfriend something which is expensive than the one I gave her last year, but this time around I think it will be great if I could match my last year's gift," says a BPO executive Bhanu, who gifted his girlfriend of three years a hi end watch last year that burnt a five digit hole in his pocket. 

The city's watering holes and dining joints too are taking into account the financial crunch and accordingly have priced their day's offerings. "We have reduced the price for our candlelight dinner for a couple by Rs 600. This time it's for Rs 900 while we sold the same for Rs 1,500 last year, also other offerings have been reduced to encourage people to come out and indulge," says Sujan Ganguly of the Wall Street Hotel. Also the first timers in the business are keeping a tab on their prices; Manmohan Singh of hotel Ramada says that, "This is our first Valentine's Day and we are arranging a Cupid theme party to mark the day and have kept the disc entry price for a couple at Rs 1,000 that is redeemable for food and beverage." 

While high end gifting might take a beating, the time tested red roses are going strong, while a single rose, now comes for Rs 10, the price is going to double or even more on the V-day. At outlets like Ferns n Petals couples have already started making bookings and the most popular are combos of cakes and roses, "An average spending is anything from Rs 500 onwards," says Rekha Gupta, franchisee owner. "Can't say if this is less than last year, but people should indulge on this day," she adds. And to lure customers their online shopping offers discounts close to 25% for flower delivery on V-Day eve. 

Same goes for ever green cars and retails have ensured that their ranges are more affordable. As harsh Bhati of Archies puts it, "We have a range for every one, the cards start from Rs 50 and go on to Rs 1,000 and we have made sure that our special range too starts from a reasonable price, one can gift a musical heart that starts from Rs 99 onwards." 

While the majority are cautious, some are more adventurous, beating the recession blues, some couples have come forward and are gifting their love mates a 15 minute ride in the Pink City skies for a whopping Rs 22,000. Chopper services palace on Wings have come up with this novel ideas and when asked isn't the price a cause of concern for them? Capt. Vibhooti Singh Deora, CEO, Palace on Wings, says, "Well this is a flight of fantasy, it's a one of its kind endeavour, first in India. As for the price, people are already coming in with requests and we have over 10 couples coming in on the first day." 

With options galore, you have a lot to chose from if you haven't already!

View Original>>>