If any holiday has earned the title of “Hallmark Holiday” surely it is St. Valentine’s Day.  The idea behind it is nice enough: take one day out of the year to shower your sweetheart with gifts and love.  Flowers, jewelry, chocolate, dinner by candlelight and maybe a bottle of the bubbly are some of the most clichéd ways to say “I love you;” and they are all pretty nice for the most part.  I must admit that Valentine’s Day for me is a double edged sword; and I don’t think I’m the only one that feels that way.  I’ll be the first to admit that once I even said, “Don’t get me anything this year!”  Of course, when I didn’t get anything all… well, let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.

What bothers me about the holiday?  364 days of the year you can purchase a dozen red roses for under twenty bucks; but on February 14^th, be prepared to hand over a Ben Franklin for the same exact product.  Did you know that roses aren’t even in season this time of year?  I went into Ace's,  which happens to be my most favorite flower shop just a few days ago, and talked with Amy the owner.  While many people will order the “go-to” red roses, she offered me many other in-season options.  If you do opt for roses, it’s nice knowing that hers are locally and organically grown.  Would I be upset if someone sent me flowers?  No.  I guess I just don’t want to know how much they cost.

Chocolates are another great option.  Here in Santa Cruz we have three really great chocolatiers.  Ashby Confections in Aptos, (the milk chocolate salted caramels are to die for), Mackenzies Chocolates in midtown, and Donnelly Chocolates on the Westside. A locally-made gift would make it less of a Hallmark Holiday in my humble opinion.  There is something about opening up a tiny wrapped box filled with hand-picked deliciousness; similar to getting a bunch of hand-picked flowers.

(Ashby Confections, for sale at Heather's Patisserie in Aptos)

Going out for a nice dinner is also an option, but you better have made reservations weeks ago.  Opting for a night out either the day before or after is always a good idea.  Skip the wait, the prix-fixe (and over-priced) menu, and spend a quiet night in.  A few more ideas:  a walk on the beach, a handmade card, a sunset helicopter ride or evening sail, a mixed CD (my personal favorite), or a home-cooked meal.

Love one another 365 days of the year, but on February 14^th, step it up a notch…. Just don’t let it break the bank, capiche?