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Valentine’s Day Bugging You?

By Steven Norris

Forget jewelry, candy, or a romantic getaway for V-Day this year. Chocolate Bug and Worms are all the rage on this holiday for lovers...at least across the Pacific Ocean. Check what the holiday brings for lovebirds in Japan. Check it out. Valentine’s Day Bugging You?

Published: Thu, February 14, 2008 - 2:38 pm Last Updated: Thu, February 14, 2008 - 3:06 pm

If Valentine's Day is just a holiday that bugs you because it means you have to spend money on chocolates that will be devoured in ten seconds, here's a gift that is perfect for all the sweethearts on your list this year. Crickets, beetles, and grub worms all in the shape of chocolate are all the rage in Japan this year.
Shoppers are traveling hours just to get the confectionary creatures. It seems for Valentine's Day the weirder the gift, the better. One company has developed another treat. they use a vacuum to suck the air out of fruit, and then fill it back up with chocolate. So where's all the Valentine stand-bys like jewelry, flowers, and regular candy? According to tradition in Japan, men are the lucky recipients of gifts. Women do all the gift-giving. That may be why the odd gifts are the most popular. As far as chocolate bugs - "I think it's horrible," one man said, "I'd be scared to get this!" The chocolate critters have been flying off the shelves, and maybe that's because the women want a little something in return. But most ladies who probably agree, when the gift is a bug, it's a gift that keeps on giving.