Ashish Arora, a business entrepreneur said, “I have purchased a portable laptop of HCL company for my wife. Every year I give her gold or diamond jewellery but this year I am going to surprise her with this unique gift.”

Archies has introduced many new gifts on this occasion. Some of these are chocolates packed in heart-shaped baskets with price tag ranging from Rs 99 to 350. Lalit Kaumar, a salesman at Archies gallery in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, said, “There is a huge range of key chains, ear-rings, big cups, teddies etc. And of course the greeting cards -- in English as well as Hindi -- are being purchased by people.”

Unfettered by steep climb in the price of gold, many people are opting for the yellow metal and diamond jewellery. Veena Gupta of Nikkamal Jewellers on Mall Road said, “Although today’s price of gold is Rs 11,650 for 24 carot, yet a large number of people are buying gold as well as diamond jewellery ranging from Rs 5,000 to 10,000 as Valentine’s Day gift.”

The trend is not confined to youngsters, as even the old couples have jumped on the bandwagon. Radhika Gupta a home-maker said, “My husband purchased flat screen television for me and now I am also planning to gift him something of gold. After all it is day to greet your loved ones’.”

Meanwhile the demand of flowers sticks has increased due to the festival. Chand Kiran, owner of Valentine Flower Point in Sarabha Nagar, said, “We have procured all types of flowers. A number of orders for bouquets to be delivered at midnight have been received. However the demand of rose buds will increase manifold by tomorrow and so will be the price.”

While Jagjit Singh from Ranbir Florist has pinned his hopes on school children. He said, “We will sale maximum flower buds tomorrow after the school gets over. As the youngsters will gift each other these sticks -- to cost Rs 30 to 35 -- tomorrow.”

Keeping in view this festival, TravelPort Holiday’s (I) Company has introduced unique travel packages to destinations in India and overseas on Valentines’ Day. Kiran Joshi of the company said, “We offer an exclusive travel package to Sri Lanka, Maldives, Medieval Egypt, Mauritius”.

Majestic Park Plaza has organized a Valentine’s bash The main attraction in the party would be celebrity DJ IVAN and the famous Coyote Ugly Dancers group, who would be performing at this years Valentine’s ball. He has been the official disc jockey at Channel V India and runners up at the DMC World Championship and the only Indian DJ to perform at the “Ministry of Sounds.” The ticket is priced at Rs 1,499/- for a couple.