Romantic gift-giving in Zimbabwe has changed in recent years, especially around Valentine’s Day, as economic conditions and social values influence personal relationships. In Harare and other urban areas, cash bouquets made from folded U.S. dollar notes arranged like flowers have become popular alternatives to traditional floral gifts. The trend has grown over the past few years through social media promotion and shifting consumer priorities. Zimbabwe has relied heavily on the U.S. dollar since 2009 after severe hyperinflation, making liquidity highly significant in everyday transactions. As a result, money-based gifts carry both symbolic and practical meaning. Market vendors report increased seasonal demand, and analysts describe the practice as pragmatic and reflective of current economic pressures. This adaptation represents a notable transformation in romantic customs rather than a decline in emotional value.

Alongside cash bouquets, recycled metal gifts have also gained attention in Harare, where artisans collect discarded scrap and reshape the material into heart-shaped jewelry and decorative items. Environmental specialists highlight the sustainable benefits of the practice, as waste levels decrease and local employment expands. The production process requires skill and consistency, increasing the perceived value of each item. Retailers report growing interest from local buyers, showing resilience within small creative businesses. However, challenges such as limited equipment and rising material costs remain. Despite such constraints, the trend continues, and observers describe the movement as emblematic of changing social values, combining durability, sustainability, and emotional significance in a culturally distinctive and increasingly relevant form.