Debbie Laskey's Blog: Ten Memorable Valentine's Day Brands

We’re going to take a short break from my Olympics Leadership Series to celebrate Valentine's Day. My Olympics series will resume tomorrow.

When you think of Valentine's Day, what brands immediately come to mind? Do you think of companies that create greeting cards or companies that make chocolate or companies that send flowers? There are 10 brands that stand out to me, but first, here's some history about the holiday.

According to Wikipedia, "Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14th. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, and through later folk traditions, it has also become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world...Saint Valentine supposedly wore a purple amethyst ring, customarily worn on the hands of Christian bishops with an image of Cupid engraved in it, a recognizable symbol associated with love that was legal under the Roman Empire; Roman soldiers would recognize the ring and ask him to perform marriage for them. Probably due to the association with Saint Valentine, amethyst has become the birthstone of February, which is thought to attract love...While the custom of sending cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts originated in the United Kingdom, Valentine's Day still remains connected with various regional customs in England...In Slovenia, Saint Valentine or Zdravko was one of the saints of spring, the saint of good health, and the patron of beekeepers...The practice of sending valentines originated in the Middle Ages with boys drawing the names of girls at random.

In 1868, the British chocolate company Cadbury created Fancy Boxes – a decorated box of chocolates – in the shape of a heart for Valentine's Day. Boxes of filled chocolates quickly became associated with the holiday.vIn the second half of the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manner of gifts, such as giving jewelry. The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 190 million valentines are sent each year in the United States. Half of those valentines are given to family members other than husband or wife, usually to children. When the valentine-exchange cards made in school activities are included the figure goes up to 1 billion, and teachers become the people receiving the most valentines. The increase in use of the Internet around the turn of the millennium is creating new traditions. Every year, millions of people use digital means of creating and sending Valentine's Day greeting messages such as e-cards, love coupons and printable greeting cards."

And now, without further ado, here's my list of "Top 10" Valentine's Day brands:

TIFFANY & CO.

Tiffany & Co. has long been synonymous with diamond engagement rings that come in little blue boxes. But during February, little blue boxes containing diamonds may be considered better gifts than red-heart shaped boxes containing chocolate.

Did you know that Tiffany's shade of blue, robin's egg blue, is trademarked? According to AdWeek, "For the sake of you intellectual-property aficionados out there, the color is No. 1837 on the Pantone Matching System chart. It is not commercially available; since a 1998 filing with the federal government, the color is trademarked. The packaging on which the color appears is also trademarked, as is the white satin ribbon tied around said packaging. In all, it is very possibly the most recognizable and most desired retail container in history. It’s the Tiffany Blue Box — and yes, the term “Tiffany Blue Box” is trademarked, too. Most brands would kill for the sort of instant recognition value of Tiffany & Co.’s."

Tiffany & Co., also known as Tiffany's is an American luxury jewelry and specialty design house headquartered on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Founded in 1837 by jeweler Charles Lewis Tiffany, the company became famous in the early 20th century under the artistic direction of his son Louis Comfort Tiffany. As of 2023, Tiffany operated over 300 stores around the world including the United States, Japan, Canada, as well as in Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region. The company's product line features fine jewelry, sterling silver, watches, porcelain, crystal, stationery, fragrances, and leather goods.

HERSHEY’S KISSES

According to Wikipedia, “The Hershey Kisses were introduced in 1907. At first, the Hershey Kisses were wrapped by hand, but in 1921, a machine was made so that the Kisses would be wrapped automatically. Brothers Walter, Howard, and Raymond Phillippy made improvements, such as, devices to reject misshapen Kisses and position unwrapped candies upright. This is also when the plume was added. In 1924, Milton S. Hershey received a registered trademark for the plume...Kisses are one of the most popular brands of candy in the United States. In 1989, the chocolate drops were the 5th most popular chocolate brand in the United States, spawning sales that topped $400 million. More than 60 million Hershey's Kisses chocolates are produced each day at the company's two factories.”

Talk about a great marketing opportunity every year on Valentine's Day - due to the brand's product name!

M&M'S

Due to its yummy chocolate taste and timeless tagline since 1954, "It melts in your mouth, not in your hands," everyone's favorite candy may be M&M'S. Forrest E. Mars, Sr., established M&M'S Limited in Newark, New Jersey, and M&M'S Plain Chocolate Candies were introduced in 1941. M&M'S had become so popular by 1950 that an ingenious solution for consumers to distinguish the real M&M'S from inferior imitators was to stamp each candy with the now famous "m." The slogan "Look for the m on every piece" was created. M&M'S Peanut Chocolate Candies were introduced in 1954, and the color used to print the "m" on M&M'S Plain and Peanut Chocolate Candies was changed from black to white. During the 1980's, M&M's Candies went global, expanding into the Asia-Pacific region, Australia, Europe, and Russia! In 2022, M&M'S launched SPOKESCANDIES and announced a new global brand platform celebrating the power of fun. And in 2025, the new brand platform, ‘It’s More Fun Together’ celebrated the power of fun and togetherness because no one brings more fun than M&M’S.

GHIRARDELLI CHOCOLATE COMPANY

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company (also known as Ghirardelli) is an American confectioner, wholly owned by multinational confectioner Lindt & Sprungli. The company was founded by and is named after Italian chocolatier Domenico Ghirardelli, who, after working in South America, moved to California. The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company was incorporated in 1852, and is the third-oldest chocolate company in the United States, after Baker's Chocolate and Whitman's. In 1965, San Francisco declared Ghirardelli Square an official city landmark.

According to Wikipedia, "Since the 1960s Ghirardelli has also moved to focus on a restaurant division by selling ice cream sundaes, complete with their famous hot fudge chocolate sauce. In one of their earliest menus from the 1960s they featured five "Nob Hill Sundaes" all named after different landmarks, historical aspects, or local figures from San Francisco (Twin Peaks, Golden Gate Banana Split, Strike it Rich, The Rock, and the Emperor Norton). As of 2024, they feature 11 different sundaes (World Famous Hot Fudge, Ocean Beach, Chocolate Lovers, Gold Rush, Mint Bliss, Strawberry Passion, Non-Dairy Hot Fudge, Cookie Crumble, Lands End, Golden Gate Banana Split, and Treasure Island).

In 1963, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company was bought by the Golden Grain Macaroni Company, maker of Rice-A-Roni. Later, in 1986, Quaker Oats bought Golden Grain, and thus Ghirardelli. In 1992, Quaker Oats sold the Ghirardelli Chocolate division to a private investment group. John J. Anton, from that group, became the president and CEO of the newly independent Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. In 1998, Lindt and Sprüngli, from Switzerland, acquired Ghirardelli Chocolate Company."

Have you ever tried a Ghirardelli Sundae at its San Francisco restaurant and chocolate shop near Fisherman's Wharf? I have, and the Twin Peaks is one of the best in the entire world!

GODIVA

Ever notice a little gold box in its own store, at a Macy's register, or in some supermarkets? Well, similar to the Tiffany blue box, the Godiva gold box is another successful example of brand packaging.

According to the brand's website, "In 1926, Belgian chocolatier Pierre Draps Sr. began handcrafting exquisite chocolates in his Brussels workshop. With artistry, passion, and an unwavering devotion to quality, he laid the foundation for what would become GODIVA — a name now synonymous with luxury, indulgence, and Belgian craftsmanship. In 1958, GODIVA opened its first boutique in Brussels, marketing the beginning of a global journey. In 1966, GODIVA arrived in North America and opened its first boutique on Fifth Avenue in New York City. In 1968, GODIVA was appointed an official chocolatier to the Royal Court of Belgium. In 1972, GODIVA opened its first boutique in Tokyo's Ginza district introducing chocolate lovers in Japan to the brand. In 1993, the brand expanded with truffles, biscuits, and seasonal creations. And, in 2006, GODIVA launched its first chocolate cafes offering chocolates and desserts."

BARNES & NOBLE

If your Valentine loves to read, then Barnes & Noble is your favorite brand! B&N sends regular emails with book news and also announces its annual Books of the Year for children and adults. Of course, the bookstore sells a myriad of other items including stationery, greeting cards, wrapping paper, board games, desk accessories, and other gifts for reading addicts. So an in-person visit is always worthwhile - especially if a visit to the B&N Cafe is included — something that Amazon has not yet created.

VERMONT TEDDY BEAR COMPANY

Many companies make and sell teddy bears, but how many can you think of that also provide a lifetime guarantee? Well, Vermont Teddy Bear Company not only provides a lifetime guarantee but also offers a teddy bear hospital to customers for repairs, oops, I meant health check-ups.

According to the brand's website, "Our story started in 1981 when our founder opened a cart on Church Street in Burlington, Vermont, and began selling Teddy Bears that he made in his garage. Over 40 years later, our Bears continue to be best friends, a part of the family and beloved heirlooms. Each one of our meticulously-designed, artisan, handcrafted Bears is guaranteed for a lifetime. Vermont Teddy Bears make the perfect gifts for men, women, and children for any occasion, from Christmas to new babies and everything in between. As a company, the attention to detail and care we put into our Bears extends to all aspects of our business. We believe in our inherent corporate responsibility to give back, whether it’s the 100% recycled stuffing used in each Bear, our Little Hero Program that provides first responders with Bears to give to children in crisis situations, or the ability to grow your own tomatoes in the company garden each summer. From our highly-skilled Stichers to our Bear Ambassadors in the Bear shop to our Marketing team — everyone here knows that a Bear is so much more than a Bear, it’s a way to say 'I Love You.'"

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, INC.

Want to send flowers to your Valentine? Here's a brand name that everyone knows. According to Wikipedia, "1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. is a floral and food gift retailer and distribution company in the United States. The company's focus, except for Mother's Day and Valentine's Day, is on gift baskets. The concept of using the word "flowers" within a phoneword was originated by William Alexander in the early 1980s. The phone number, 1-800-356-9377, had been randomly assigned to a trucking brokerage in Wisconsin owned by Curtis Jahn and was used for that company until 1981. In an agreement with Jahn that would later be sharply contested, Granville Semmes and David Snow formed a Louisiana corporation that began to use that number to sell flowers in Louisiana, starting in 1982. The 1800flowers.com domain name was registered on September 1, 1995, and in 1999, the company was listed on NASDAQ."

CHEWY

If your Valentine is a dog or cat (or bird, chicken, fish, horse, llama, or reptile), then Chewy is your go-to place for food, toys, and more. According to the brand's website, "At Chewy, pets are the center of our universe. We wake up excited to find ways to make them happy and to make pet parenting easier for you. We create products they’ll love, find and offer trusted brands you’ll feel good about, and deliver it all right to your door. That means less time at the store and more time giving belly rubs. Happy customers are always our #1 priority. Pets are family and when you shop with Chewy, you become a part of ours. Plus, we have a 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Policy on every order. So, if your picky feline isn’t loving their new bed, you can return it or replace it. Making your pet happy has never been easier. At Chewy, our mission is to be the most trusted and convenient destination for pet parents and partners, everywhere."

GRIOTS GARAGE

Is your Valentine a car guy or car gal? Do they spend more time in the garage than in the house with projects including: washing and polishing vehicles, building cabinets, customizing flooring, and more? Then Griot's Garage is your brand for Valentine's Day shopping! According to founder Richard Griot, "I've been living the garage life since I was 5-years old. One of my earliest projects was putting a Sandy Koufax baseball card in my bicycle spokes. As I grew up so did my projects. By the time I left for college, the garage had seen three paint jobs, an engine pulling that nearly brought down the rafters, brake jobs, and countless tune-ups. And my parents only had to take me to the emergency room once! With my cars running like Swiss watches, I wanted them to look the part. I searched, but nothing in the car care arena measured up. So I started what would become Griot's Garage in my home garage in 1988. I really stepped up my game in 1990, introducing the first catalog, the first padded lay-down creeper, non-lifting floor paint, quality car care, and unique tools and garage gear. From the very beginning we focused on excellence. We had a lifetime guarantee on everything we sold, and I mean everything. When it came to our car care products, I decided early on that we would make our own, from product development through bottling and distribution. This A-to-Z commitment results in thoughtfully created products that you can trust on your car because I trust them on mine."

Did you hear the holiday news from Denny's? According to a press release on the restaurant's website, "While Las Vegas is famous for "I do’s" that happen in a flash, America’s Diner is making sure love lasts, at least until the breakfast is served. On February 14th, all lovebirds ready to tie the knot are invited to get hitched at Denny’s Wedding Chapel (450 Fremont Street) for FREE (a $199 value), as long as they agree to Denny’s “Toast-nuptial” agreement. This free, limited-time offer is available only on Valentine’s Day from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT at Denny’s on 450 Fremont Street in Las Vegas. Spaces are limited, and a marriage license is required. 

To ensure no one ends up with egg on their face, Denny’s is introducing its "Toast-nuptial" agreement that requires those who take their vows at Denny's Wedding Chapel on February 14th to pledge their devotion to one another (at least through the next morning). Once wed, couples receive an exclusive “Over-easy Overnight” kit at the restaurant, including "Slammy" pajamas, eye masks, and pillowcases designed for the ultimate post-wedding Vegas sleep-in."

Ellie Doty, senior vice president and chief brand officer at Denny’s, said, "Vegas weddings are novel, but a Denny’s Vegas wedding is iconic. We’re leaning into the fun of the city and our chapel’s tradition of offering free ceremonies on Valentine’s Day, but with a twist that keeps couples in bed to enjoy one of the best parts of a marriage: the breakfast."

And what about the McDonald's news? According to CNN, "McDonald’s is offering a few customers a special Valentine’s meal this year: Chicken McNuggets and caviar. The giveaway underscores the lengths restaurants and retailers are going to grab customers’ attention, hoping the dollars will follow, as consumers remain gloomy about the economy and keep a tighter hold on their paychecks. McDonald’s said in a statement each kit has all you need for “an upscale yet effortless celebration” including a 1oz tin of “McNugget Caviar,” crème fraîche and a Mother of Pearl caviar spoon, along with a $25 gift card. And with consumer sentiment at its lowest in well over a decade, businesses have been looking for ways to get customers in the door. In that sense, a free giveaway might not generate immediate revenue, but it can build notice and serve as potentially viral marketing."

However, if you visit the promoted website, it says in big letters: SOLD OUT.

What are your favorite Valentine’s Day brands? Chime in and share. And don't forget, my Olympics Leadership Series resumes tomorrow here on my Blog.

Image Credits: Hershey's, Tiffany & Co., and Mars/M&M's.

See how Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_Day

Read about the company that introduced Valentine's Day to Japan:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morozoff_Ltd.

Read about San Francisco's Historical Landmark #30:

https://noehill.com/sf/landmarks/sf030.asp

Check out Godiva's recipe for Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries:

https://www.godiva.com/blogs/recipes/chocolate-dipped-strawberries-with-chocolate-fondue-recipe

Interested in taking a tour of the Vermont Teddy Bear Company? Here's how: