Valentine's Day falls on Saturday this week, and you may be surprised to find you've been looking for love in all the wrong places.

Ways to show love or affection, that is.

This being a consumer column, we're on the lookout for ways to express warm feelings that won't set you back too much.

If you've already pre-ordered that stellar dozen of long-stemmed beauties to arrive at his or her office tomorrow — that would be the last weekday before Valentine's Day — this column probably isn't for you.

But if you or your sweetie would pale at the idea of spending $50 and up, I mean, way up, for those red roses, we've got some ideas for you that will still leave you with some dinner money.

Think outside the florist. Don't get me wrong; we've got awesome florists. They will do all the work for you and even arrange for that dramatic flourish at the office when heads turn to see who's getting that special delivery. Few things say somebody thought about you in advance and spent some money than that particular gesture.

But maybe this year's message is I-thought-of-you-in-a-creative-way-that-didn't cost-a-bundle. It doesn't have to reek of commercialism.

Check out the garden shop. Yesterday's newspaper included an ad for a half-dozen roses for $9.99 at Star Garden. Koolau Farmers lists $19.99 for a dozen roses as well as $9.99 (heart-shaped) anthuriums; and potted cymbidium orchids for $29.99 that will last for weeks, if not longer.

If you're set on roses, get just one or three tied with a ribbon.

Consider other pretty flowers. Daisies, tulips or irises are beautiful at this time and reasonable.

Farmers markets can be a great source of fresh flowers, fresh bread and other special goodies. Today, the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation's market runs from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in Kailua; or if you're willing to wait until Saturday, get up early and go to the Kapi'olani Community College market that runs from 7:30 to 11 a.m .

Bake someone happy. (OK, that might be a Nestle's chocolate slogan but you get the idea.) You can make cookies, or bake brownies. You can make them heart-shaped with a cookie cutter. Or just hand them out with a smile.

You can make or buy cupcakes, one for every one of your family or friends. Red velvet is especially nice.

Go to the supermarket or drugstore and buy bags of Hershey's Kisses. You can choose from many flavors: dark, milk, mint, caramel and more. Create a trail of them that leads to your card. (Make sure you don't have pets or children who will enjoy them before your intended.)

Avoiding sweets? You can buy or bake a heart-shaped pizza. (Papa John's pizza is running a special of a heart-shaped pizza and a rose for $19.99.)

Don't want food? You can buy rose petals from the florist and then scatter them in a pattern on a table, bed or counter top.

Get a card. Make a card. The card can be funny or sweet or simple. It's just a nice way to show you care.

Not sure what to say? Just think for a moment what you'd like someone to say to you, then write down the words that you'd like to say to them. If you're still stuck, consult the Internet. Google "love quotes."

If you don't feel like expressing yourself in words, return to the other suggestions, bake, bring chocolate or offer services that could include a shoulder massage, a foot massage (kids are good at giving these), or a movie of their choice.

How about putting together a CD or playlist of some songs? They can be playful ("C is for Cookie") or some cool jazz or saxophone (maybe John Coltrane) or something that's from your personal soundtrack.

Or you can provide a coupon of a grumble-free trip to someplace your significant other may want to go but you're not that keen on: hardware store, garden store in the country, restaurant in Waikiki, outlet mall, wacky relative's house, you get the idea.

Steering away from sweet? Buy a six-pack of good beer and some veggies and seafood or steak to throw on the grill. Then whip up an easy dinner on Saturday.

Still wanting to be kind of traditional? Buy strawberries — they're on sale just about everywhere. And buy a bottle of champagne or other sparkling wine or sparking apple cider or cranberry-apple.

Dip the berries in chocolate and serve. (See super-easy recipe, above.) Or just drop the berries into the sparking liquid, toast and enjoy.

If you shopped wisely, you might still be able to pick up the lobster tails or catch a movie.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.