Roses smell a little sweeter. Chocolates taste a little better. And Cupid, one of the symbols of the heartwarming holiday, is a busy, busy man. Valentine’s Day, our nursing friends, is almost here. February 14 has been circled on many a calendar for months and planning has been going on for weeks. Today, we’re here to provide some help. We’re going to give you some creative ideas that can make this a Valentine’s Day to remember. We hope you enjoy.

Flowers and chocolates are always nice, and will win some points. A sweet card, a teddy bear, and a dinner out are all fine ideas, too. But what do you do for that really special someone? There has to be something better than the old stand-bys. Here are some of our favorite ideas:

• Recreate your first date: Was it a nice dinner? Maybe just a walk in the park? Whatever it was, do it all over again. Try to remember as much detail as you can (what you wore, what you ordered, etc.) and recreate everything. At the end, slip in a little note that says something along the lines of . . . “I’ve fallen deeper in love with you every day since our first date.”
• Power down: Shut off everything. For an entire evening, ignore cell phones, the TV, the Internet, the radio, and anything else that makes noise or serves as a distraction. Just enjoy some quality time together and let your worries and stresses melt away.
• A scavenger hunt: This one isn’t as tough as it sounds. Buy four or five little presents (anything will do, as the creativity is the real gift). Hide them around your house or apartment, and with each, place a little note with a clue that will lead the person to the next present. For example, hide a red rose in the stove and write: “This thing is hot and so are you, your next little present can be found in a shoe.” Make sure, of course, that your next gift is actually in a shoe somewhere. Put the biggest gift at the end and get ready for a great, big hug and kiss.
• The coupon book: You’ve probably seen these in little stores and novelty shops, but they are much better home-made. Use the computer and create some eye-catching designs on individual coupons that you can make redeemable for anything from a home-cooked meal to a back rub. Let your imagination be your guide.
• Magazine letter collage: This one can be a bit time consuming, but isn’t that what love is all about? Spend a couple of hours and clip out a bunch of individual letters from various magazines. Then, get a small picture book. On each page, put a picture of you and that special someone with an important word. You can use synonyms for the word “love,” nicknames you have for each other, inside jokes, and places you love. The personal book will be a reminder of the special time you share.
• Name a star: Okay, this one may be a little bit cheesy, but it’s always thoughtful. Head on over to the International Star Registry (www.starregistry.com) and pick a star. For as little as $54, you can name a part of the universe after that special someone in your life. And for years to come, as you stare into the dark, brilliant night, you’ll feel like there’s always a twinkle out there for you.
• Make it a Valentine’s week: Who says the big day of love only has to be a day? Make it a week, with a small gift each day. Little gifts will certainly get the job done, as the thought really does count in this case. As an added bonus, you could even have a service deliver it to the person’s work or school. The other 51 weeks of the year will be filled with love as a reward for your creativity.

Do you have an idea to share? Give us a shout at mbriddon@hcpro.com and we’ll post your romantic suggestions later this week.