Have a Heart

And this just in! Heart-shape 7-ounce Neufchatel cheese at Trader Joe’s for $5.99. “Wonderfully creamy and salty!” says the Trader Joe’s signage. “Great with . . . Riesling or Chardonnay!” Incredibly well priced, say we.

MY DAD SPENT HIS LIFE thinking he gave clever little gifts; my mother smoldered through the years thinking he was just cheap. (It’s possible they were both right.) So fair warning: Depending on your level of involvement, a heart-shape cheese board may not strike the right note. But one of these may be nice as a little add-on. And if you want to take the plunge for the $7,000 Jean Schlumberger Heart Clip, please don’t let me stand in your way!

–Nancy McKeon