HARARE, Zimbabwe — This Valentine’s Day, love in Zimbabwe is taking inventive forms—ranging from bouquets made of dollar bills to heart-shaped gifts crafted from recycled scrap metal reflecting the country’s economic realities and growing environmental awareness.
At Harare’s decades-old flower market, florists like Tongai Mufandaedza are folding crisp $50 notes into decorative cones and weaving them with fresh roses, creating “money bouquets” that are increasingly rivaling traditional floral arrangements. Prices for these practical yet romantic gifts range from $10 to several thousand, often cheaper than conventional roses.
“The market has improved because of the money bouquets,” Mufandaedza said. “Everyone wants to impress. People still love flowers, but when they see the notes on top, the love feels hotter and more meaningful.”
Social media, particularly TikTok, has fueled the trend, with users posting videos of glittering cash-and-flower arrangements, generating excitement among younger generations. Some parents even purchase money bouquets for their children as a safer alternative to flashy gifts from potential “sugar daddies.”
Beyond cash, some Zimbabweans are expressing love through sustainability. At Simpli Simbi, a Harare gift shop, founder Stephanie Charlton transforms discarded scrap metal car radiators, rims, and other industrial materials into heart-shaped key rings, platters, and wine holders.
“We are taking something unloved and making it beautiful again, creating gifts that people can treasure forever,” Charlton said. “This shows your valentine that you value them, and each piece carries its own story.”
The Valentine’s Day trends in Zimbabwe highlight how affection can blend practicality, creativity, and social consciousness, with both money and recycled materials serving as meaningful expressions of love in challenging times.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
