Valentine's Day gifts: 'I would like a case of beer and a 30 minute nap' — DeAndre Horne

Kristi K. Higgins, The Progress-Index
·3 min read
A Valentine's Day-themed window display at Enlightenment Family Services in Old Towne Petersburg on Feb. 9, 2023 designed by owner Lynda Lofton.
A Valentine's Day-themed window display at Enlightenment Family Services in Old Towne Petersburg on Feb. 9, 2023 designed by owner Lynda Lofton.
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PETERSBURG — What do you like to receive from your valentine? Since the weather was gorgeous yesterday, I strolled the streets of Old Towne to find out what tickles people's fancy.

How did I come up with this idea? Well… I presented identical Valentine's Day gifts to my daughter Jenavieve and son Forrest. I was a hero in her eyes, a zero in his.

In all honesty, I wasn't sure if the presents, a box of chocolates and a box of protein bars, would go over well with either of them. It's hard to keep up with likes and dislikes when we no longer live under the same roof.

May, a Manhattan native, keeps a watchful eye on W. Old St. from Blue Willow Tea Room's window in Petersburg on Feb. 9, 2023. Her canine companion Britannia once lived a royal life in England.
May, a Manhattan native, keeps a watchful eye on W. Old St. from Blue Willow Tea Room's window in Petersburg on Feb. 9, 2023. Her canine companion Britannia once lived a royal life in England.

Jenna loved both of the gifts, but Forrest told me straight up, "I can't eat these." He majored in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise at Virginia Tech and makes healthy lifestyle choices. I wish some of his dedication and determination would rub off on me.

In the future, all I need to do is visit a butcher shop to hook Forrest up. Apparently, meat is the perfect gift for him. Another idea would be to present him with an Omaha Steaks gift card.

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Petersburg: Old Towne

Most peeps did not mind this quirky reporter interrupting their day to ask them a question out of the blue. However, some were on the shy side and others may have been wanted in five states.

Here are my victims' er I meant interviewee's Valentine's Day wishes...

Chesterfield resident Demetrius Frazier, founder of Black Men Read, relaxes in Resist Booksellers, his new bookstore in Old Towne Petersburg, on Feb. 9, 2023.
Chesterfield resident Demetrius Frazier, founder of Black Men Read, relaxes in Resist Booksellers, his new bookstore in Old Towne Petersburg, on Feb. 9, 2023.

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Men's gift ideas

  • Ridge Chambers of Dinwiddie - Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, money [to buy more Reese's Peanut Butter Cups], and kisses from his beautiful wife Emily.

  • DeAndre Horne of Colonial Heights - Case of beer and a 30 minute nap

  • Giovanni Crapa, a native of Sicily, Italy - Bag filled with $1 million dollars delivered by his wife Vincenza and a month-long Caribbean vacation for the lovebirds

  • Sam Pugh of Charles City - Book on World War II, a silent front porch and slightly, sweetened tea

  • Demetrius Frazier of Chesterfield - Homemade "effort" items like apple pie or artwork

  • Tucker Webb [Richard Bland College student] of Charlotte Court House - Car parts

Beautician Tiffany Howard of Petersburg poses with her four-year-old Chihuahua Princess at Personal Touch Beauty & Barber Salon in Old Towne on Feb. 9, 2023.
Beautician Tiffany Howard of Petersburg poses with her four-year-old Chihuahua Princess at Personal Touch Beauty & Barber Salon in Old Towne on Feb. 9, 2023.

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Women's gift ideas

  • Tiffany Howard of Petersburg - Edible Arrangements

  • Wendy McQuiggan of Carson - Tulips

  • Abby Roney of Petersburg - Flowers or nice walk

  • Vachele Beals - Dinner at Howlett's Tavern [Chester] or Joe's Steak and Seafood [Petersburg]

  • Maria Phillips of Petersburg - Spa day

  • Reid Walker of Charlotte Court House - Flowers

On Thursday, Feb. 9, Reid Walker of Charlotte Court House dined with her nephew Tucker Webb at Croaker's Spot soul food restaurant located in the iconic octagonal-shaped Farmers Market building in Old Towne Petersburg. Webb, a freshman, pitches for the Richard Bland College of William and Mary baseball team.
On Thursday, Feb. 9, Reid Walker of Charlotte Court House dined with her nephew Tucker Webb at Croaker's Spot soul food restaurant located in the iconic octagonal-shaped Farmers Market building in Old Towne Petersburg. Webb, a freshman, pitches for the Richard Bland College of William and Mary baseball team.

As for me, I would love a spa package with a full-body massage, manicure, pedicure and facial. However, I always appreciate handcrafted gifts to display or eat. Grandma always said, "It's the thought that counts."

Read this story at progress-index.com to view a gallery which includes images of the interviewees as well as Valentine's Day decorations I discovered in Old Towne.

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— Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly columnist is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on Twitter @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Valentine's Day gift ideas: Reporter asks men, women what they desire