Valentine's Day is a few days away, which means those looking to have a romantic evening had better get started now if they don't want to be stuck picking up a cheap card and a bouquet of wilting roses at the corner gas station on Monday night.

Fortunately, with a little of bit of planning and some careful shopping, students can sweep their sweetie off their feet while sparing their wallet and their stress level.

Cookies By Design
Plenty of tasty Valentine's gifts can be found at Cookies By Design, in San Francisco.

“Oh I forgot!” said manager Gail Rekers, explaining her most popular last-minute gift - a giant heart-shaped cookie on a stick in a mug. “This is a perfect gift someone can get the same day.” This season Rekers is offering Valentine’s Day bouquets of cookies, love bits in a mixed bouquet and custom cookies.

Victoria's Secret
Maybe you really want to get your sweetheart some lingerie, but don’t know how to buy it, what color, size or style to get. Lingerie is, after all, a gift that both the gift giver and gift recipient can enjoy, together.

“Guys are bashful – they come into the store and have one of the sales associates pick out something for them,” said Samantha, the store manager at Victoria’s Secret in the Stonestown Mall. Store policy forbids Victoria's Secret employees from disclosing their last names.

Samantha said that Victoria’s Secret has the simplest sizing of any lingerie store. If you know your gal’s blouse and pant size, you’re doing well. The store's small, medium and large sizes translate into women's sizes 0-12. The store does not carry size extra large.

The hot color this Valentine’s Day season is yellow, which Victoria's Secret has not sold before this year.

For the last minute shopper, even the day of Valentine’s, the following stores can help you make those last minute purchases less stressful.

Party City
Party City in Daly City has simple 18-inch, heart-shaped balloons starting at 99 cents and balloon bouquets starting at $14.99. They also have a large assortment of candies and chocolates, teddy bears and candles for less than $10.

Longs Drugs
Longs Drugs, located throughout the Bay Area also has a nice assortment of boxed chocolates such as Dove and Ghirardelli, candles, bubble bath and giftware - all for less than $12. They also carry a decent assortment of men’s and women’s fragrances and a selection of wine. If you want to make a good impression without spending lots of money, visit this store. Don’t forget to visit Longs' greeting card aisle to find that message that will melt your partner's heart.

1800flowers.com
Don't have time to go shopping? Rather buy something online? Check out 1800flowers.com. They offer the largest selection of Valentine’s Day gifts this season, including flowers, teddy bears, candy, cookies and more. Same-day delivery in most locations is offered at $36.99. They have greeting cards as well.

After all that gift-giving and hugs and kisses, you may realize you’re feeling hungry. Well, here are two hot places in town with dinner deals that are hard to resist - and we’re not talking about In & Out Burger, either.

Pasta Pomodoro
Pasta Pomodoro, in the heart of North Beach, has a Valentine’s Day special for two. For $46 you and a guest will start off dinner with a glass of Casalnova Prosecco, an Italian sparkling white wine, and a plate of crostini to share. Then you will have a choice of two appetizers, two entrees, two glasses of house wine and last, but not least, one dessert to share.

“Our menu is better than last year’s,” said Scott Shuman, manager of Pasta Pomodoro. Shuman explained that the menu is only available February 12 through the 14 and since Valentine’s Day lands on a Monday, people should have no problem being seated.

Le Charm
If you really want to hang up your slacker badge and show your cultured side, visit Le Charm on Fifth Street in San Francisco for a French cuisine experience.

“Our food is very unique,” said Kevin Fanning, host of Le Charm. “We’ve been booking reservations for Valentine’s Day since after New Year’s Day.”

On Valentine’s Day they are offering a four-course, fixed menu for $40 per person. The menu includes options such as: lobster bisque, tuna tartare, pan-roasted trout, seafood bouillabaisse and four types of delicious desserts. Reservations are filling fast, so call now or reserve a table online.

Now that you are exhausted, more confused than ever, and we have basically put the pressure on for Valentine’s Day, you have no excuse for being a slacker. However, if slacker is what you want to be, we will find you on Valentine’s Day in the aisles of Walgreens.

For more information:
Cookies By Design, 1720 Polk St., San Francisco, (415) 440-3095
Victoria’s Secret, Stonestown Mall, San Francisco, (415) 664-4127
Party City, 317 Gellert Blvd. Daly City, (650) 756-0125
Longs Drugs, locations throughout the Bay Area, http://www.longsdrugs.com
Pasta Pomodoro, 566 Union St., San Francisco, (415) 399-0300
Le Charm, 315 Fifth St., San Francisco, (416) 546-6128
1-800-FLOWERS, http://www.1800flowers.com