Unique Valentine's Gifts: Pizza Hut Proposals to Roach Rights

The Bronx Zoo is offering cockroach naming rights for that special someone on Valentine's Day for $10. (Photo from BronxZoo.com)

Happy Valentine's Day! Each year on February 14, consumers attempt an epic demonstration of love with  purchases that net retailers billions of dollars.

This year, even places like Pizza Hut are offering consumers the opportunity to show love with unique items. In an ad on their Website, the eatery is looking to lure consumers with the " Tie the Knot With the $10 Dinner Box" package that is available thru Feb 14.  The package consists of items for Pizza Hut proposal, including a ruby engagement ring, limo service, flowers, fireworks, photographer, videographer and the $10 dinner box, which consists of a one topping rectangular pizza, five breadsticks, and 10 cinnamon sticks.

The price tag for this lovers package of food and engagement items is $10,010, not including tax.

"If we're able to fit pizza, breadsticks and dessert into one box for only $10, why stop there?" asked Kurt Kane, Pizza Hut CMO. "Our customers want the best of everything, from their food to memorable life experiences. So we decided to make one of those experiences - the marriage proposal - second-to none and offer it at PizzaHut.com right alongside the new $10 Dinner Box.

With only 10 packages available, and the package limited to one per person, your sweetie won't be able to buy another sweetheart a similar deal.

In 2012, according to the National Retail Federation, consumers will spend $17.9 billion, an average of $126.03 per person on gifts, up 8.5 percent from last year.

The Bronx Zoo is asking shoppers to show their love and "appreciation for that special someone" by purchasing the naming rights of a Madagascar hissing cockroach. And, your significant other doesn't have to be on the receiving end of the roach. The website notes, "don't be afraid to get creative! Maybe you want to name the roach in honor of his or her boss? Their least favorite teacher or talk show host? Or perhaps your Valentine loves wildlife of all kinds and would consider a creepy-crawly namesake an honor."

Whatever the name you decide, the going rate for naming rights to a roach that has been around for millions of years is $10, and each purchase will help support the  Wildlife Conservation Society and its five parks in New York City. For an additional $15, wildlife lovers or peculiar gift-givers can add a cocoa-roach as a keepsake for loved ones.

Here are some other unique Valentine's Day gift items we found across the Web:

  1. Wood Tie is available at ThinkGeek.com for $25.99  - $33.99. The tie, or bow-time, is made from reclaimed redwood scrap.
  2. An  Electronic Goldfish in a bowl will run you $19.99 at ThinkGeek.com. The goldfish in a bowl only requires AA batteries to keep this new addition to the family available.
  3. The Ex 5-Piece Knife Set is available on Amazon for $59.99. The piece set comes with a red holder and includes five different knives, including a carver and utility knife.
  4. A Lovestagram is free. The website, created by the girlfriend of the Instagram, allows users to take a picture from Instagram and turn it into a personalized valentine.
  5. A Mac Power Ring for $20 on Etsy. This unique metal ring was created using the power button of an old mac computer.
  6. Periodic Table Ring ranging from $295 to $3,000. Itsnoname.com is offering the sterling silver or 14K rings that are sure to earn a place in your scientific lover's heart.

But, if those gifts are little too unique for your taste, there's always flowers from 1-800-FLOWERS or you can go the traditional route of chocolates.  In the February issue of Consumer Reports, Norman Love, Woodhouse, Christopher Elbow, Cardinas, and Jacques Torres were just a few chocolates in the list of excellent selections.