Valentine’s Day gets ‘Eggstreme’ as eggs become a luxury gift

Eggs have made a surprising — and somewhat humorous — entry as the unlikely star of the nearest holiday: Valentine’s Day. With the skyrocketing cost of eggs in recent months, social media users have embraced a blend of humor and satire, turning eggs into the latest “luxury” gift to give your loved one.

Whether it’s the expensive price tag or the absurdity of the gesture, eggs have captured the internet’s attention in a way few other commodities have.

Posts such as “He went to Krogers,” and “Hear me out … A bouquet of eggs for Valentine’s … Eggs in a basket … Eggs in a box …” are running rampant across the internet. 

One user, Shepard Lisa posted “I’m not one to brag but hubby bought me 4 dozen of eggs for Valentines day today! Eat your heart out ladies.” 

@theharttfamily Hope she likes it🤞💌❤️ #valentinesday #eggs #comedy ♬ original sound – Theharttfamily

As inflation and avian flu pushed egg prices to historic highs, social media platforms have become a battleground for creative marketing and playful memes. Instagram and TikTok are full of posts featuring “egg-cellent” gift ideas, where influencers are showcasing fancy heart-wrapped egg gifts. 

@randyandco Impress her with something EGGspensive! 😆 #valentinesday #marriagehumor #giftideas #eggs ♬ original sound – randyandmandyshow

The “egg as luxury” trend is poking fun at the increasing value placed on everyday items as the cost of living continues to rise. The satirical nature of the trend is driving memes where eggs are presented as the next big thing in gifting, humorously exaggerating their new-found high status. Users are posting photos of perfectly styled eggs in elegant nests or “egg-tasting experiences” designed to mock the culture of extravagant gifts. It’s a parody of a time when everything, even something as simple as an egg, seems to carry a price tag reflective of the current economic climate.

While marketers may be running with the viral trend, turning eggs into a novelty product for the holiday, the real charm of this phenomenon lies in its social commentary. It taps into both the frustration consumers feel about rising costs and their ability to laugh at the situation. What started as a tongue-in-cheek gesture is now a viral phenomenon, with many brands jumping on the bandwagon to sell egg-related Valentine’s Day goods.

The situation, however, has sparked a buying frenzy, reminiscent of the panic-buying seen in 2020 when toilet paper and hand sanitizer flew off shelves at the start of the COVID pandemic.

@hi.susann they were gone in 5 mins #costco #eggshortage egg shortage #eggfrenzy #costcofinds #eggs #costcotiktok #costcobuys #costcomusthaves #costcoguide #costcofood #groceries #groceryhaul #birdflu ♬ Merry Go Round – Mingle Game Song Squid Game 2 – jung jaeil

Costco, along with other retailers, is experiencing frustrated customers who are not only concerned about rising prices but are also concerned with limited availability. Many are calling for stores to implement purchase limits to ensure fair access, while some have taken advantage of the scarcity, purchasing large quantities of eggs to resell on online platforms like Facebook Marketplace or eBay.

@d_eagle416 Got there at 9:03am & the line for eggs started at checkout! Finally a limit of 3 starting today! #eggs #costco #fyp #parati #foryoupage #california #earlybird ♬ Jackass theme – Saltyapple3

One Reddit user shared a bizarre sighting of a man loading an entire minivan with eggs, seats removed to maximize space. The post quickly went viral, with others commenting about the absurdity of the situation.

One poster jokingly hoped that the van driver would be stopped before reselling his eggs, while another sympathized, wondering if the buyer might be a small business owner trying to stock up for their operation. Either way, the egg shortage has everyone talking.

@luv.lizf0904 I’m confused! WHY SO MANY EGGS!? #costco #costcoeggs #content #fypシ #comedy #trend #viral ♬ original sound – Funny Sound Effects