DeKALB | Many believe Valentine’s Day is nothing but a marketing scheme developed by greeting-card companies to capitalize on people’s affections.

Despite those sentiments, the fact of the matter is that most women still expect something on Valentine’s Day. If you want to score extra points with that special someone, don’t pass off Valentine’s Day as strictly flowers, chocolates and a teddy bear. Get your girl something thoughtful and what she really wants come Feb. 14.

Crafts

Any girl will tell you the best gift she can get is something homemade and from the heart. Craft stores like Michael’s, 2341 Sycamore Road, and JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts, 1712 Sycamore Road, offer a vast selection of crafty options whether you want to make a card, a snow globe or even a cute picture frame. The salespeople are available to help if you have any question about where to take your idea.

“Quite a few guys come in and know exactly what they want but don’t know how to do it,” said Linda Davis, arts and crafts manager for Michael’s. “We will help them with any type of project.”

Couple’s Massage

If paper, a glue gun, and/or scissors are not exactly your forte, how about a gift that also gives a little back? Studio One Salon & Spa, 1007 N. 1st St., offers an hour-long couple’s massage. For $110 – or $55 per person – you and your sweetheart can get side by side massages.

Chocolates

Although flowers, chocolates and stuffed animals are cliche, they’re still cute if done tastefully.

Rather than buy a heart-shaped box of Whitman’s chocolates from Walgreen’s, stop into The Confectionary, 149 N. Second St. in downtown DeKalb. This home-town candy shop offers an assortment of handmade chocolates and truffles that would make anyone’s mouth water. The Confectionary personalizes pieces of heart-shaped chocolates any way you like. The candy store even offers heart shaped boxes in a variety of sizes and colors. One pound of chocolates in a satin heart-shaped box will run $29.10. They will even wrap your chocolates free of charge.

Build-A-Bear

At Build-A-Bear Workshop, you can bring to life your own custom-made stuffed animal. Ranging from $10 to $25, you can come in and stuff your own animal, name it and dress it.

“It’s more personalized,” said Katrina Kopczak, assistant workshop manager. “You can pick your outfit, animal and heart so its easy to become attached to it.”

You can also put custom sound in your bear where you can record a special message that will be played when the animal is squeezed.

Flowers

While red roses are beautiful to give and receive, there are also other flowers out there that will impress your valentine. Glidden Campus Florist, offers a huge selection of flowers and roses in all different colors.

“Gerbera daisies, lilies, tulips and irises are all popular,” said owner Sven Oscar Hansen.

If roses are still what you are looking for, Glidden’s offers a special: A dozen red roses for $34.95.

No matter what you get your valentine, it’s the love behind the gift that matters.

See tomorrow’s city section for Part II: Where to Take Your Date.