I have it on good authority that today is a holiday that exceeds all others. February 15 does not get a special mark on the calendar, or a special banner over at Google. What it does get, however, is undying admiration from those chosen few -- those special people with a sense for savings, and a mind for markdowns.
What I am talking about, of course, is Chocolate Day, that marvelous day that outstrips even the day after Easter for bargain candy.
Personally I am fond of the Whitman's Sampler box, as these will tell you what each and every piece is filled with. That way, one can strategize, saving the toffees or caramels for last, instead of wasting them all in a first pass and finishing up with an orange buttercream. I understand that there exist such mavericks as truly ENJOY never knowing what yer gonna get, but such cavalier chocolatiering is not for me. I prefer my chocolates classified and coded. If there is not a map, then designs and swirl patterns on each piece that correspond to an accompanying key will suffice.
Aside from box chocolates, there is an entire hierarchy of other kinds of candy that may be found in the 75% off shopping carts at Target. I tend to avoid some of those, as I can get M&Ms at any time (although not at that price!). I like conversation candy hearts, not because they taste good, because they decidedly do not, but for nostalgia's sake, I think. Hard candies, such as Werther's Originals, are valuable due primarily to their staying power; I can only eat one Werther's in the time it might take me to suck down four or five bonbons. Chocolate-covered cherries are an excellent choice as well, particularly if you get the kind without the weird white creme layer inside -- I prefer my maraschino go unadulterated, if you please.
Chocolate Day. February 15. Do not let this important day go unrecognized -- there are bins and bins of sale candy, waiting to be snatched up by your eager little hands. And while you are worshipping at the altar of the discount, do not forget to look for Cadbury's Creme Eggs -- they should be coming into season about now too.