Off the Hill: Jeremy’s rock of love

Finding a Valentine’s gift for a loved one may seem difficult and leave one frustrated. Well, rest easy. I am here to do the shopping for you.

First, let me give you some personal tips on what and what not to do on this special day.

By Jeremy Barrick,

Staff Writer

Finding a Valentine’s gift for a loved one may seem difficult and leave one frustrated. Well, rest easy. I am here to do the shopping for you.

First, let me give you some personal tips on what and what not to do on this special day.

Do not shop for anybody at a dollar store. Love should not be based on the almighty dollar (it is supposedly the thought that counts), but try telling this to your significant other when he/she is opening up a dollar store DVD version of “Gulliver’s Travels.”

Be careful when and to whom you say “I LOVE YOU”: bad timing and misguidance are a horrible combination.

If you plan on going out to eat, make reservations first, because the last thing you want to do is wait in line for hours. Also, do not take your mate to a fast food place. Nothing says loving more than a 99-cent Wendy’s cheeseburger.

Do call to wish him/her a happy Valentine’s Day. Do hold his or her hand in public (c’mon guys, it’s not that bad). Hold the door open for your special woman (it’s chivalrous). And, last but not least, buy him/her a card (if nothing else). Hallmark, Wal-Mart, and Target stores offer an array of Valentine Day cards.

Finding where to purchase gifts is the first agenda item. Downtown Greensburg offers the convenience of not having to fight those large crowds at the mall. There is an assortment of boutiques to choose from such as several florists, a magic shop, jewelry stores, an art store, skateboard shop, antique dealers, and other specialty stores.

Westmoreland Mall, located in Greensburg, on Route 30, has over one hundred stores to choose from. An annex behind the mall also serves as a buffet of possible gifts. Mall stores include Yankee Candle (candles always make a great gift, and they smell good, too) and FYE music store (music soothes the soul).

Suncoast Motion Picture Co. offers lots of movies (makes a good cuddling gift, buy some popcorn to go with it). Spencer Gifts is a novelty store that caters to nonsense, and carries a little bit of everything (eccentric gifts are always fun).

There is also KB Toys (to release the inner child in you) and EB Games for the video game enthusiast (a video game can electronically bond two people together). Westmoreland Mall offers a wide selection of clothing stores as well.

As mentioned earlier, the mall opens up in the back to several small shops, such as Cash-in Culture and Rock Star. Cash-in Culture offers a blast from the past selection of archives, toys, t-shirts, video games, CDs and DVDs, and other nostalgia (a fun place to browse). Rock Star has what you need to be hip in the ‘Burg: they offer assorted t-shirts, hats, tapestries, and other paraphernalia.

Wal-Mart and Target stores are good for general items, offering gifts for last minute shoppers. Check out their seasonal sections (they are not easy to miss).

Chocolates and assorted candies are a good way to reach the center of your sweetie’s heart. Wilson’s Candy Company, located in the East gate plaza on Route 30, has every type of chocolate to suit the fancy of your mate.

Remember boys and girls, you can never go wrong with food. Greensburg has a plethora of restaurants to pick from: FRIDAY’S (T.G.I.F.), Peeking Garden, Cozumel’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, etc. Look in the local phonebook for phone numbers and addresses.

I hope I have put most of your minds at ease by giving direction to this somewhat complicated process. The best way to get to know someone, and fall deeply in love, is to talk to him/her. Try this before going out and blowing a wad of cash. I hope that each and every one of your Valentine’s Day wishes come true. Good luck!