Florists hard-pressed on Valentine's Day

GEORGE TOWN: Business for florists in Penang on Valentine's Day boomed with couples expressing their love to each other with flowers and other floral delights.

A street poll of florists here found many had their hands full fulfilling orders for bouquets.

Chin Eng, a florist assistant in Jalan Burma, said they received hundreds of orders to be delivered with many going the traditional route of a bouquet of roses with red and pink being the most popular colours.

He said there was also a good number who wanted to present their loved ones with soap shaped as roses.

"These are very popular as they smell nice and can be kept for a longer time," she told theSun.

In another shop, florist assistant S. K. Cheah said sales increased by some 40% with many orders of gift boxes of artificial flowers or a rose bouquet wrapped in black florist paper.

Another popular gift are placing roses made out of money among flowers in bouquets according to florist assistant J. K. Tan.

"Most of our orders were made a few days before," he added.

In a day to show love, Ong Kong Beng, 57, said he has never failed to give his wife a bouquet on Feb 14 every year.

"Lavender is her favourite," the architect said.

College student Ang Kah Yan, 20, said she presented her boyfriend with money shaped into hearts.

"I saw the idea on Facebook and thought such a gift was very unique," she said.

College student Ong Jo Yi, 22, is taking a more traditional route by creating a handmade card for her boyfriend,

"We plan to take a walk at the beach after a buffet dinner," she said.