February 14 is Valentine?s Day and although it is celebrated as a lovers? holiday, with the giving of candy, flowers or cards, it originated in 5th Century Rome as a tribute to St. Valentine, a martyred Catholic bishop who refused to give up Christianity.

Many centuries later it seems it?s more about the giving and receiving of gifts, as opposed to celebrating the concept and idea of love. And Bermudians it seems have fallen into the commercial merry-go-round fuelled by those card makers at Hallmark.

In a street survey yesterday the majority of people interviewed said they spent more on Valentine?s Day than they did at any other time of the year.

When asked what the ultimate gift would be to receive, one young lady said she wanted an engagement ring and her gift in return would be a ?yes?, while two people said they wanted homes or diamond rings.

But not everyone was that materialistic. There are still some romantic souls out there.

A handful said the ultimate Valentine?s Day gift to give and receive was love and every day was Valentine?s Day to these romantics who believe that you needed to give us much love every day to that someone special as you do on Valentine?s Day.

Chuck Langton said he loved his wife as much today as he did when he married her some 30 years ago. He said love was the best gift to give on Valentine?s, and for that matter, every day.

Surprisingly the younger generation thought the ultimate gifts to receive on Valentine?s Day included roses, teddy bears, flowers or chocolates.

The 30-something age group said they wanted diamond rings, romantic dinners at home cooked by the one they loved wearing sexy lingerie, boxes of Belgium chocolates and slow dances to your favourite music.

Bermudian men think of themselves as romantic. Especially the single one?s interviewed who would give that special woman in their lives their hearts, souls and yes, even loads of money if that?s what it took to keep them happy.

Hadley Tucker said he spent money on the one he loves all year round, not just on Valentine?s Day, but believed that giving her money on Valentine?s Day was the best thing because she could then buy whatever she wanted.

Stacy Hill from a lingerie shop in the Washington Mall knows all about sexy lingerie ? if that qualifies for clothing.

She said the men definitely benefited more as women ended up buying these sexy items not only for themselves, but also for their husbands? pleasure.

The most romantic gift to give? Ms Hill said she would cook a wonderful lobster dinner, enjoyed with an expensive bottle of red wine, candlelight and soft music with rose petals scattered about the bedroom. A sentiment echoed by Ashele Insley who said music by ?Joe? was the most romantic and always set the mood, and whatever followed was left to the imagination.

She?s planning to cook dinner for the man in her life wearing sexy lingerie.