Hearts abound on Valentine’s Day
© Alenaohneva/iStock

Hedgehog or Cockroach—Which Would Your Valentine Prefer?

Valentine’s Day arrives this week, so there’s no time to lose in selecting the perfect gift for your special someone. In most countries, the gifts of choice are the usual items—flowers or chocolates, all wrapped in Valentine’s red.

But it might be time to challenge the marketing hype and create your own cultural traditions. Oh I See. How about a cockroach or a hedgehog?

Valentine’s Day can be full of surprises.
© George Rudy/iStock

Love . . . Sealed with a Hiss

This year, one of the Valentine’s Day thoughts getting top buzz (or hiss) is the “Name a Cockroach” program from the Bronx Zoo Wildlife Conservation Society.

You purchase the privilege of naming one of the zoo’s Madagascar hissing cockroaches (certificate included).

Nothing says love like a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach.
© Lenkusa/iStock

“Nothing lasts longer than a roach,” says one of the Wildlife Conservation Society executives. So this gift certainly outlasts flowers or chocolates. Love, like a roach, can be everlasting.

For an extra donation, you can even get a Roach Broach, roach socks, and roach chocolates (no, not chocolate-covered roaches . . . just tasty chocolate shaped like a roach. Yum).

The full array of roach items (called “the works”)
Image courtesy of Wildlife Conservation Society

Hedging Your Bets with a “Wild at Heart” Gift

If a roach doesn’t quite have the ring of “I Love You,” there’s always a hedgehog. England’s Surrey Wildlife Trust offers the opportunity to adopt (virtually) this prickly—but adorable—critter. (Otters and goats are also available.)

A cute, but prickly, Valentine’s Day idea
© iStock

The hedgehog gains accolades for its ability to roll into a spiny ball. Their spines point out, their faces are hidden, and it takes a lot of coaxing for them to uncurl once they have felt threatened. What better way to say “I love you.”

The donation for an adoption allows the Wildlife Trust to continue important conservation work.

And, your special someone gets a species fact sheet, a cuddly toy, and an adoption certificate.

Eiffel Tower chocolates in Paris
© Meredith Mullins

International Kitsch

Some of the more unconventional gifts around the world include the “Grow a Boyfriend” kit, the “I Love You” toast stamper, the Valentine version of Venus de Milo, and just about everything you could think of transformed into Valentine red.

If you know someone who’s looking for that perfect boyfriend, send a “grow your own” kit. A tiny sponge boyfriend grows to 600% his size when dunked in water . . .  and is, well, perfect. He never argues, always listens, always agrees, and doesn’t snore.

The perfect date/mate: “Grow a Boyfriend”
Image courtesy of Find Me a Gift

Alternatively, you can order the “Magic Frog to Prince” kit, where, you guessed it, the frog dunked in water turns into Prince Charming.

If you want to surprise loved ones with breakfast in bed with extra flair on Valentine’s Day, treat them to “I ♥ You” toast with the “I Love You” Toast Stamper.

A toast to Valentine’s Day
Image courtesy of Amazon

And who wouldn’t want a Venus de Milo statue in red (or two)?

Venus de Milo in red (and a discount!)
Image courtesy of Boutiques de Musées

Or a range of other gifts in red, for that matter.

Paris lingerie: Ooh la la in Valentine’s Day red
© Meredith Mullins

The Rhythm of Gift Giving

Most countries celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14. However, some countries officially extend the gift giving.

In Japan, the women give chocolates on February 14. Giri-choco is “obligation” chocolate, given to friends, bosses, and colleagues. Honmei-choco is given for “true love.” Much of the time, honmei-choco is made at home by the women to make the gift more personal.

Giri-choco for friends, bosses, and colleagues
© Bojsha65/iStock

One month later, on White Day, the men must reciprocate by giving gifts to the women who gave them chocolates.

A similar rhythm exists in Korea. The women are the gift givers on February 14, with chocolates, candies, and flowers. Then, one month later, the men return the thought (with chocolates, flowers, and an extra added gift).

And, for those who don’t celebrate on Valentine’s Day or White Day, there is a third holiday one month after White Day—called Black Day.

The custom for some on Black Day is to mourn being single by eating dark bowls of jajangmyeon, black bean-paste noodles.

The jajangmyeon for Black Day in Korea
© Pius99/iStock

If that seems to be one of the sadder cultural traditions, then think hedgehog, cockroach, or “Grow A Boyfriend.” After all, it’s a day to celebrate love in any form.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

For more information about these special Valentine’s Day gifts, visit “Name a Roach” and adopting a hedgehog. “Growing a boyfriend” is available at a variety of sites. 

For the “I Love You” toast stamper visit Amazon in your country, and for museum gifts in Paris, visit here.

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