Valentine's Day 101

Feb. 14th is equally one of the most loved and despised holidays on the calendar. Women love it because it's typically expected of men to shower them with ridiculously priced gifts. Men hate it because if their pockets do not run deep, disappointment can sometimes become a reality for women.

Nevertheless, the days of red and pink hearts are upon us whether we like it or not.  If you are wise, it would be best to plan ahead to save yourself heartache and a potential assault and battery case. However, if you happen to be a procrastinator, you can still manage to make your significant other feel oh-so special.

If you are not made of dollars—as many of us are not—fret not: There are many stores around town that make it easy for one to still have a fantastic Valentine’s day- regardless of budget or time spent on planning.

Wine and Dine

Nothing says Valentine’s Day like going out to a nice dinner. The dim candlelight paired with perfectly pink centerpieces make great Valentine's Day ambience. There are many cozy places in New Rochelle for those looking for the ultimate Valentine's Day dinner. The Gnarly Vine, which is located on Main Street, will be having specials throughout the entire weekend in honor of the day of love. On Feb. 13, the restaurant will host a brunch from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. On Valentine’s Day, dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Reservations are highly suggested.

Don't Forget the Flowers!

Unless your significant other has specially requested a specific type of flower, always buy roses. And the more the merrier! And please, the whole one rose romantic notion is a bunch of nonsense. There is absolutely nothing romantic about showing up at one's doorstep with a single rose. It's the equivalent of showing up with a bouquet of baby's breath.  , which is located on Huguenot Street, offers great arrangements for every budget. However, if you are not able to afford a fancy arrangement, and Shop Rite offer a wide selection of flowers for minimal costs.

Cards, Candy and Candles

Let's face it, not everyone is born a true romantic. Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, Valentine's Day is not the ideal time to declare one's allergy to buying flowers and chocolate. However, if you find yourself lost as to what to buy your significant other, stores like and offer a wide selection of V-Day cards, stuffed animals, and other knick knacks to make your day special.

Catch a Matinee

Because V-Day falls on a weekday, many of us may be limited on how we celebrate the holiday. However, for those who have ample free time, grab a matinee down at . Most folks will either be at work or school, so theaters shouldn't be too crowded (unless everyone decides to play hooky). If you're too lazy to wait in line, purchase your tickets at Fandango.com.

On a Budget?

Valentine's Day isn't necessarily about how many diamonds one receives or whether one is taken to a fancy restaurant to be wined and dined. If you're on a budget, don't worry: Head over to a local grocery store such as and Shop Rite, grab a few ingredients, and whip up a meal at home. Even if you aren't an Iron Chef, the gesture will go over as sweet (unless you completely burn everything you touch). Stop and Shop also has a wide variety of V-Day items as well, but if that's still out of your price range, revert back to your childhood and make an old-fashioned Valentine's Day card with crayons and construction paper. I'm sure after your mate gets a home-cooked meal and a homemade card, the fluffy teddy bear won't even be necessary.

Simply Enjoy

At the end of the day, Valentine's Day isn't about who gets what or where one goes to celebrate. It's about spending time with the ones you love and showing them why you care. Although the holiday can often be seen as contrived and unnecessary due to saturated marketing, sometimes we do not take the time to appreciate some of those that have made a difference in our lives.