FEATURE
‘Fake’ Valentine’s Day gifts offer buyers real value
By Candace Murphy
Knight Ridder Newspapers
The Hallmark holiday has its
merits. First, it’s all about love —
nothing wrong with that. Second,
it livens up an incredibly dull
month, assuming you don’t plan
your February around Punx
sutawney Phil the groundhog. And
third, it’s a chance to appear ro
mantic, even if you are a guy, read
ing this with cheese doodle detri
tus on your chin.
That said, Valentine’s Day gifts
are completely overrated. Jewel
ry? Honey, if this relationship
works out, you’re going to spend
enough on an engagement ring
and wedding band. Save now on
the bling bling. Flowers? A nice
gesture, yes, but they die. And
chocolate? Your mate will put on
weight and resent you.
Still, given the triumvirate’s
popularity, there’s a way to get
around the expense and risks: Fake
it. Here’s how.
Fake candy
What and why: We’re talking
about stuff that looks like candy, yet
has actual utility. And that means
body products. BeneFit cosmetics
came out with Icings ($32 only at
www.benefitcosmetics.com) in De
cember, a four-pack of two lip gloss
es and two eye shimmers packed
similarly to Reese’s peanut butter
cups. Pupa has a sweet kit ($25 at
Sephora stores; www.sephora.com)
with all sorts of shadows and shim
mers in bright pastels. Philosophy
also has four-packs ($30 at major
department stores) of “Frozen
Desserts,” “Baked Goods” and
“Homemade Pies,” which smell
just like the real thing and are
dandy shampoo and body washes.
The “Cinnamon Buns” is unbeliev
able. Yum.
Warning: Do not attempt to go
anywhere near a discussion of the
merits of sweet look-alikes vs. the
real thing. Hip size will come up,
and everything will get messy.
Fake flowers
What and why: Flowers are
great — but short-lived. Instead,
get a bouquet that may last longer
than your relationship. You can go
the more costly route, with a bou
quet of silk flowers ($50-$180 at
some florists), or with a box of
scented rose-shape candles ($19.95
at Illuminations stores; www.illu
minations.com). The candles have
a finite life, naturally, but that’s
just another dose of realism.
Warning: When going for the
silk flowers, don’t get a bouquet
you hate. They do not die. You
will look at them forever.
Fake jewelry
What and why: Diamonds are a
girl’s best friend. Yeah. You know
why? Because when you dump
her, or she dumps you, she can go
to the pawn shop and get a pretty
penny for what you bought while
in the throes of love. Baby, there’s
nothing wrong with cubic zirco
nia. It looks good, and your credit
card ($80 for a single stone on a
chain at Impostors stores;
www.premierjewelry.com) will
thank you later.
Warning: Don’t try to pass this
off as real. Some girls stow jewel
er’s loupes in their sock drawers in
anticipation of that special day. Se
riously.
© 2002, San Jose Mercury News (San Jose,
Calif.). Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune
Information Services.
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Flowers and candles all wrapped up in one gift—what could be more romantic?
Joanne Hoyoung Lee San Jose Mercury News
Call for Nominations
Faculty Distinguished Teaching Awards
Deadline for Nominations: FEBRUARY 22, 2002
Faculty, staff, students, and alumni are invited to submit nominations for any faculty
members, .5FTE or greater, tenure or non-tenure related, who have taught at the
University of Oregon for a minimum of two (2) years. The Ersted Award and Thomas F.
Herman Award are presented annually at Spring Commencement to University of
Oregon faculty members for distinguished teaching. Each award will be accompanied by
a recurring monetary reward. (Please note: Graduate Teaching Fellows have their own competition
and are ineligible for these teaching awards.)
Eligibility for Awards
■ — —■ » — " —
Ersted Award for
Distinguished Teaching
The late Mr. A. J. Ersted established the
Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching
so the University of Oregon could
annually honor faculty members “who
have taught comparatively short periods
and have demonstrated exceptional
abilities to induce students to reason and
not merely memorize.” The Ersted
Award is presented only to faculty who
are early in their teaching careers. This
teaching may occur at the undergraduate
or graduate level.
Thomas F. Herman Faculty
Achievement Award for
Distinguished Teaching
This award honors senior faculty
members who have achieved outstanding
records as teachers. The Thomas F.
Herman Award is presented only to
faculty members who have academic rank
at the University of Oregon for at least
seven years, and who have demonstrated
long-standing excellence in teaching and
have contributed significantly to student
learning at the undergraduate or graduate
level.
013373
Nominations will be accepted either through submissions of the following form or by e-mail.
If your nomination is e-mailed, please make sure that you include all the information
contained on this form.
Send/Return this nomination form to: E-mail your nomination to:
Lorraine G. Davis Gwen Steigelman
Vice President for Academic Affairs Asst. Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
207 Johnson Hall, University of Oregon gwens@oregon.uoregon.edu
I nominate (print clearly)_for the
(Please check one) □ Ersted Award □ Thomas F. Herman Award
My reason(s) for nomination are: (you may attach a separate sheet, if necessary)
Signature of nominator —
Address -
Telephone- E-mail -
Please check your status □ Faculty □ Student □ Alumni □ Staff