Let Lake Oswego businesses help you say, “I love you,” in a way your valentine will remember this year. Here are a few ideas:

♥Sweeten the message. Chocolates by Bernard can help. The traditionalist will find red velvet heart boxes filled with gourmet chocolates in two sizes, both with plenty for sharing that start at $36. Or select a dark chocolate champagne split filed with four champagne truffles for only $19.50.

Got a gluten free valentine on your list? Then head over to Crave Bake Shop where valentine offerings will include pop hearts (a gluten free cousin to pop tarts), mini cakes for two, raspberry passion fruit bars, and red velvet and champagne cupcakes. Chocolates by Bernard: 440 5^th Street, Lake Oswego, Oregon, 888.829.6800; Crave Bake Shop: 460 5^th Street, Lake Oswego, Oregon, 503.212.2979.

♥Pamper yourselves. Rumi Simone offers a couples spa package, The Perfect Romantic Duet. You’ll enjoy a royal bath in the duet suite followed by a rain shower and finished off with side-by-side 60 minute aromatherapy massages. The $375 fee includes champagne, chocolate, and gratuity. 345 1^st Street, Suite 107, Lake Oswego, Oregon, 503.699.8899.

♥Woo her over candlelight. Make reservations at one of our local restaurants. Manzana’s is offering a Sweethearts Dinner Package with your choice of two land and sea combinations, two glasses of champagne, and dessert for two for $60. Plus enter for a chance to win a three day, two night Las Vegas getaway. Zeppo is featuring three specials including heart shaped lobster ravioli with champagne cream sauce($14.95), a macademia nut encrusted mahi mahi with mango papaya relish ($21.95) and Italian herb encrusted top sirloin with lemon roasted garlic compound butter ($22.95). Manzana Rotisserie Grill: 305 1^st Street, Lake Oswego, Oregon, 503.675.3322; Zeppo Italian Restaurant: 345 1st Street, #105, Lake Oswego, Oregon, 503.675.2726.

♥Enjoy a lover’s feast. Watch this specially designed meal take shape before your very eyes in this demonstration style class taught by Chef Wendy Lincoln at In Good Taste. Tips and samples will be offered along the way as you indulge in a coursed meal beginning with small aphrodisiacal plates like northwest oysters on the half shell, followed by beef wellington and a chocolate tartlett. $125/person. Register online. Begins at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 14. 6302 SW Meadows Rd., Lake Oswego, Oregon, 503.248.2015.

♥Check in at The Grand Hotel. The Lakewood Theatre Company is in its final days of this production. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. showing are $35/adults, $32/seniors 65 and over, $20/students 25 and under. 368 S. State Street, Lake Oswego, Oregon, 503.635.3901.

♥Accessorize. Michelle Obama has jewelry on her Valentine’s wish list. If it’s good enough for the First Lady, it should be good enough for yours. Check out the heart jewelry at Accessories from the Heart. Owner Carol Winston is happy to share other gift ideas with you too such as red handbags and charming print pajamas. Let her help you look good. Accessories from the Heart: 220 A Avenue, Lake Oswego, Oregon, 503. 675.1144

♥Date night. Holding hands in a movie theater—that will take you back, and score some points for being romantic. This week the Lake Twin Cinema is playing  two Oscar nominated films: the off-beat romantic comedy-drama, Silver Linings Playbook, and Argo, the dramatization of a covert operation to rescue six American hostages from Iran. Want to spend more time with your sweetie? Grab a drink or a bite to eat before or after the show at Stickmen’s Brewery & Skewery right down the block. Lake Twin Cinema: 106 N. State Street, Lake Oswego, Oregon, 503.635.5956; Stickmen’s: 40 N. State Street, Lake Oswego, Oregon, 503.344.4449.

♥Explore together. Join the Parks and Recreation’s Winter Walk for Valentine’s Day to Urban East Portland. Explore the happening area of Mississippi Avenue, Albina Triangle complete with eclectic shops and coffee stops. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the West End Building, 4101 Kruse Way and carpool from there. Don’t tell her it’s a cheap date—only $3 per person (she doesn’t have to know).

♥Show her love is in bloom. A recent survey showed that 75 percent of men have given flowers to their valentines in the past two years. Let a local florist like R Bloom’s help you put a different twist on this tradition. How about a heart shaped wreath crafted out of pussy willow or a lovely anthurium plant with its heart shaped petals? Of course, if you want roses, they’ve got ’em, along with tulips and other flowers they can combine in a custom bouquet. R. Bloom’s, 267 A Avenue, Lake Oswego, Oregon, 503.636.5876.

♥Find your valentine. For all you singles out there, Maher’s Irish Brew Pub is hosting its third annual speed dating night on Valentine’s Day beginning at 7:00 p.m. Drink specials include $1 off all beers and a free glass of champagne to all participants. 352 B Avenue, Lake Oswego, Oregon, 503.305.8087.

The National Retail Federation says the average American will spend $130.97 on Valentine’s Day this year. How do you plan on spending yours? If you’ve got some different ideas, let us know.

Photo Credit: taken by Salvatore Vuono at freedigitalphotos.net