The rush is on, this Valentine's

Valentine's day sales have outdone Christmas sales in the capital city, claim many retailers and distributors in Goa. "Sales have sky-rocketed compared to the previous V-days and much to our surprise the sales for Valentine's Day have outdone even Christmas sales," says Kirit Shah, proprietor of a gift store in Panaji.Be it cardsor bling, the varied options will surely leave a hole in your pocket. "We haveone-of-a-kind red roses in our store-made of dyed bird feathers-which have beenselling like hot cakes as people are on the lookout for something different thisyear. Perhaps, that is what Panaji offers." says a busy card and gift storemanager, Balkrishna Parab. While on the subject of novelgifting, people are going a step further and putting extra thought and effortinto getting their loved ones the perfect gift. "People prefer somethingdifferent compared to traditional presents such as soft toys. They even spend alot of time choosing the right card," says Porvorim-based gift store ownerWilliam Pinto. From wrapping papers to teddy bear gift boxes,bird-feather-roses to real ones, heart-shaped chocolates to heart-shapedpillows, real jewellery to imitation and who would want to miss out on theall-time favourite, the greeting card; there's something for everyone. "We havepeople who buy their parents, friends and siblings cards and presents too," addsParab. Another reason as to why sales have soared in Panajicould have to do with the fact that the city is ideally situated. "It's mucheasier to shop in Panaji because the shops are centrally located and also offera wider range of gifts and greetings," says Nisha Kerkar from Margao.However, the romantic at heart aren't thinking twice aboutsplurging. "Valentine's Day is commercialized, there's no doubt about it but Ialso believe it's important as it allows a person in love to express theirfeelings to their special someone," says commerce student Rohan Fernandes fromMiramar. Card and gift distributors say that Panaji tops thesale charts for V-day in Goa. Pinto says, his sales haven't crossed Christmassales yet, but he remains optimistic as there's still time. "Usually customersstart pouring in on February 13 and 14," he adds. Taking acompletely different approach is Baga- based Mark D'Costa who believes in"gifting flowers and saplings instead of cards or gifts". This environmentalistat heart gave his girlfriend three rose plants last year symbolizing the yearsthey spent together. This year he will be adding another one to the pool."People say gifting flowers is old fashioned in the age ofsocial networking. But flowers say so much more than a tweet of 120 characters,"says Priyanka Issacs, 28, from Vasco who is ready to bring in the day of lovewith fresh flowers and a box of chocolates for her boyfriend.But the practice, being old-fashioned or not, certainlyhaven't held back the prices. This year may be an expensive one for flowerlovers. "Valentine's Day will get expensive as prices of flowers have risen evenmore because of the unseasonal rains and will get more expensive on V-Day," saysGurudas Shirodkar who owns a chain of flower shops across Goa. The prices ofroses have increased while lilies come a close second. "On February 13 roseswill be sold at 10-15 and on 14 it will increase to 20 per rose," addsShirodkar.