This year, there’s a double Valentine’s opportunity both for lovers and those with goods to sell that may appeal to the star-crossed.
On 29th February 2012 many women may take advantage of the old leap year tradition to propose marriage to their slow-to-commit boyfriends. Also, to avoid this happening, men who want to take charge may leap in first and propose around Valentine’s Day.
If the woman proposes, she may perhaps want to present her new fiancé with a ring or some other piece of jewellery to seal the deal. The man proposing may want to have a ring ready in his pocket too.
And whoever does the proposing, there’s a whole lot of preparation for the most romantic occasion of your life so far – a Vivienne Westwood dress or a Kenzo Homme suit perhaps, so you look your best. Then there’s a Chanel bag and Christian Louboutin shoes to go with the dress, and perhaps candelabra, appropriate romantic music and movies and something to play them on.
We’re no experts in romance or relationships, but we’re pretty good on spotting retail trends and we know that the kinds of goods that should sell well in the next three weeks include:
• Designer suits and slinky dresses – the kind that make you feel good about yourself.
• Accessories to go with said outfits – designer bags like Hermes, Burberry and Gucci and shoes by names like Louboutin, Jimmy Choo or Manolo Blahnik.
• Jewellery – specifically rings, especially solitaire diamonds, but all gemstones are popular for engagement rings these days.
• Men’s jewellery – this leap year it could be a good time to sell a Rolex watch, diamond cufflinks, men’s gold chains or rings.
• Romantic music and movie collections.
Don’t overlook other potential romantic gifts too, for those not proposing but simply looking for a Valentine’s gift:
• First or early edition books
• Romantic or erotic art
• Other jewellery, particularly watches and anything with diamonds
• Crystal or fine china vases that will hold either a single or a dozen red roses
And once all these couples are newly engaged they’re going to start planning the wedding, so if you spent a small fortune on a wedding dress by Vera Wang or Amanda Wyatt and you’re ready to turn it into cash to be used to furnish the nursery, or to fund a second honeymoon, take it to the dry cleaner’s now, so we can list it for you at the beginning of March in time for the summer wedding rush.
So happy hunting in your cupboards, drawers and attics. Let us turn something you never look at from one year to the next into a symbol of true love and devotion for someone else. Then you can treat yourself and your loved ones with the proceeds. Everyone’s a winner.
