Romance by the seat of your pants

So you’ve just come to the realization that today, February 14, is Valentine’s Day. This revelation may prove fatal when you arrive home empty handed at the end of the day.

I’m not just talking to men here. There are plenty of women reading this right now who are in the same boat. Both genders can be ambivalent about the holiday — I like to think it’s a conspiracy created by greeting card companies and jewelry stores. But without Valentine’s Day, how often do we take (or make) time for romance throughout the rest of the year? Might as well throw yourself headlong into the fray.

Instead of running out and scavenging for the last heart-shaped mass marketed candy boxes and wilted roses, it is still possible to salvage some credibility with your Valentine. If you play your cards right, it’s likely your last minute efforts won’t require extra time, money or travel. Read on for some seat of your pants ideas.Dine in, rather than out. If you had the foresight to realize on Monday that today is Valentine’s Day, you still found yourself out of luck in getting dinner reservations this evening. But take comfort in the fact that “typically, the quality of food and service won’t be as good” on Valentine’s Day, says Michael Young, co-owner of Olive’s Gourmet Foods in Edmonds. More often than not, restaurants find their resources stretched to their limits on this day. Why not try an indoor picnic for your Valentine’s meal? Olive’s will help you put together a boxed meal from their gourmet menu. Dale’s Deli in Richmond Beach, the Pastry Cafe in Lynnwood, Honey Bear Bakery in Lake Forest Park and the Mill Creek Bakery also offer fresh to go service closer to home.

Don’t forget dessert while you’re ordering your main course. Yes, candy is dandy, but the quicker way to your Valentine’s heart might be some food for thought. Consider picking up a basket of lush reds and purples berries. Strawberries, blueberries and cherries are ripe for the picking right now at local supermarkets, like Petosa’s in Edmonds. If your sweetheart has an undeniable sweet tooth, try the strawberries dipped in chocolate that Shoreline’s Central Market offers. Or pick up a carton of fruity gelato from Sundae’s Ice Cream in Shoreline.

Once you get home, spread a tablecloth out on the floor, light some candles (or the fireplace) and invite your Valentine to dine in.

Think outside the heart shaped box. Sure you’re good to go if you just pick up your old reliable standbys, a generic box of chocolates and greeting card. But why not try the do-it-yourself route? Take a few minutes and stop in at the Creation Station in Lynnwood and round up some unconventional materials to make your own personalized card.

As “red is the color of love,” you might want to pick up a jar of port wine “spiked” cranberry sauce at Housewares in Edmonds, to drizzle over brie or ice cream. Maybe your Valentine would like you to mix a nice Manhattan using Whisky Spiked “Tipsy” Cherries, also available at Housewares (the cherries, not the Manhattan).

How about a nice bottle of red wine or champagne? Arista Wine Cellars in Edmonds offers Chocolate Amoré by Trentadue, a port-style Merlot with essence of chocolate. If you’re in the mood to splurge, there’s always a $114.99 bottle of La Grande Dame champagne to top the night off.

Plant one on your Valentine. Yes, a fistful of long stemmed roses is a nice gesture, but why not give your Valentine a longer lasting gift like a live plant? The calendar still says it’s winter, but local nurseries are full of plants in flower or ready to be planted outdoors now. A dozen cut roses will cost you $20 to $60 (if you can find them today), but a live bare root rose will be under $20 at most nurseries. Locally, Wight’s Home &Garden in Lynnwood, Emery’s Garden in Lynnwood, Sky Nursery in Shoreline and Wileywood Nursery in Mill Creek stock dozens of colors. A dark red winter pansy is just as passionate a flower as the more traditional rose bouquet — and longer lasting.