Now through February 14, when you buy a dozen donuts at Krispy Kreme, you’ll get a dozen free Valentine’s cards—and each card is good for a free donut.
Donuts, affordable mini-splurges that they are, have sold particularly well throughout the recession era. While frugality has emerged as the “new normal,” consumers are likely to be repairing cars rather than buying new ones and scaling back on pricey meals at swanky restaurants. But at least they can find a spare buck to indulge in a sweet and creamy treat from time to time. Hence, strong donut sales.
(LIST: 12 Things We Buy in a Bad Economy: Donuts and More)
And when a donut promo grants the equivalent of a half-price sale, look for the masses to turn into Homer Simpson-esque mobs.
Krispy Kreme just announced that, in honor of Valentine’s Day, it’s offering just such a special deal:
Get twelve FREE Valentine Cards when you purchase a dozen doughnuts. Each Valentine card is good for a FREE doughnut of choice for you or for your Valentine.
Note that the cards—and the free donuts, of course—could be “for you,” rather than friends, family, or your sweetie. But come on. It’s Valentine’s Day. Spread the love, not to mention the calories.
While it’s highly inadvisable to give fat-free or sugar-free Valentine’s treats (because such gifts may, hint-hint, send a message the recipient doesn’t want to hear), handing out cards with free donuts sends a very different message: Go on, you deserve something just as sweet as you are.
(MORE: Best Ever Valentine’s Day Gifts That Don’t Cost a Fortune)
In any event, Krispy Kreme’s promo is a terrific deal. Dealnews calls it “the best freebie we’ve seen from Krispy Kreme.”
Brad Tuttle is a reporter at TIME. Find him on Twitter at @bradrtuttle. You can also continue the discussion on TIME’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIME.