Bring a Restaurant Home: If you want to avoid the crowds lingering at restaurants on Feb. 14 -- and create an unique experience -- put together your own menu that offers a few selections for appetizers, dinners and deserts. You can even bring it to a local Kinko’s to laminate it or print on special paper. Stumped for ideas of what to cook? Look for specialized classes in your area, such as those at Whole Foods in Cupertino, Los Gatos and Capitola. 

Create a Card: Making cut out Valentine’s cards isn’t just reserved for kids. Here are some examples of homemade cards that are easy to assemble and likely more memorable the store bought variant. Look out for craft stores in your area, such as Beverly’s Fabrics and Crafts in Soquel or, over the hill, Michael’s Arts and Crafts in Milpitas. 

Proclaim Your Love, On Air: On the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, local radio stations often have a feature where you can make a shout-out to your sweetie. KMVT in Mountain View is taping a night of Valentine’s Day, where the public is invited to broadcast a 15 second message to their significant others. 

You can also create a video-based Valentine's Day card through Gilroy's Community Media Access Partnership (CMAP). The organization is holding a workshop on Saturday, Feb. 11, at their studio at Gavilan College.

Give the Gift of Experience: Want an excuse to take a vacation, be it an overnight in San Francisco or week's escape to Paris? Many travel agencies, such as All Horizons Travel in Los Altos, preparepre-made vouchers. Or do a DIY coupon voucher, promising a trip in the coming year. 

Assemble a Photo Montage: Purchase a piece of poster board, and decorate it with photos (or print outs of photos) of you and your significant other. You can also create a border with the photos, and write a Valentine’s message inside.