Valentine's Day: it is the best of times; it is the worst of times. Fortunately it is always a fun shopping time with stores bringing out the big guns to help customers show their love and appreciation for those around them.

Sometimes it can be hard to decide between the showers of roses and chocolates, however, especially in Bermuda.

"Sure there's lots of gifts out there, but with housing at the current rates it's difficult to find anything," observed Marc Fullerton of The Complete Office.

That is where your friendly Royal Gazette steps in, taking to the streets to find out what is available on Cupid's special day.

Of course, the most traditional gifts to show that love is in the air are the classics: flowers and chocolates. Bermuda's flower stores have been stocking up on all flowers, roses in particular, in preparation for today.

Most flower shops, such as Just Roses, Designer Flowers and House of Flowers, are offering arrangements of roses in boxes and vases which are selling rapidly. Naturally a dozen red roses in a vase is more expensive than a dozen in a box, selling from between $125 and $130, while boxes are less than $100.

Some stores, such as Just Roses, are also selling special arrangements in Valentine's Day containers or vases. And let's not forget the classic single red rose: after all, less is more. Treats even sells single long-stemmed chocolate roses for a really sweet Valentine's Day statement.

Not everyone wants to take the chocolate and flowers route, however. Mr. Fullerton told The Royal Gazette his plans called simply for a quiet, romantic dinner followed by bed.

And what happens if you are in Bermuda but your loved one is overseas? "It's difficult in an age of impersonal communication," said one old-fashioned romantic currently in a long-distance relationship.

Love conquers all obstacles, however. The man, who did not wish to be named, sent his girlfriend a special kit containing an empty book, pen, and set of envelopes. The point? She writes in it one day and sends it to him; he replies in it and sends it back to her.

And, thanks to FedEx, she has already received the gift. "It was most appreciated," he said.

So, if you wanted to take a more non-traditional route to Valentine's Day, where should you go? Once again, Treats is offering some alternatives to flowers: chocolate stencil body tattoos are at the top of their list, selling for about $16.

With the body tattoos, however, it should be noted that some special care and attention is needed when applying. Too much chocolate and the tattoo will run, too little and it is no fun. "Chocolate body tattoos?" commented Mr. Fullerton. "Interesting."

And Treats, like several of the flower shops such as House of Flowers, is attempting to cover all bases, offering gifts not just appropriate for lovers, but for children, mothers, godmothers, other family members, and so on. One Treats gift set consists of a stuffed frog claiming: "Kiss me, I may be your prince", stuffed with chocolate hearts and gummi frogs, and complete with a froggy pencil. Diabetic gifts are also available.

Finally, Trimingham's is offering Valentine's Day-themed gifts in all store departments, including specials on strawberries and champagne, and European chocolate assortments. What was singled out the most at Trimingham's, however, was the special Valentine's Day lingerie in the lingerie department.

After all, it only comes once a year.