It's Sunday.
The day to shower the woman you love with lavish gifts and flowers, chocolates and romantic dinners.
Unless you forgot that Sunday is Valentine's Day - then you better get busy.
Don't worry - local retailers have tips for the last minute shopper to ensure that doesn't happen.
Flowers, especially roses, are a staple gift to show that special someone how much she means.
Stacy Terwilliger, floral manager at Hy-Vee, said they have ordered about 7,200 roses. Even for those who forgot, she said not to panic - they will deliver on Sunday. Offering a wide variety to the standard long-stem red roses to the multicolored tie-dye roses, Terwilliger said it would be tough not to find a flower that would be perfect for her. Hy-Vee sells potted plants, balloons and stuffed animals to fit the needs of any last-minute shopper.
"We're here to help, we can work with customers to decide what the best gift would be," she said.
For people in a rush and can't figure out what to get, Hy-Vee staff has worked to put together gift packages custom designed for that special someone. From a steak and lobster dinner complete with a bottle of wine to a container of beer on a bed of peanuts or a singing balloon with an iTunes gift card, the custom packages are designed to help those think outside the box.
If flowers aren't quite her style, Mary Kay Daniel, owner of Mary Kay's Gifts and Home Decor in downtown Fort Dodge, said to pick a gift that is personal.
"Give a gift from the heart," Daniel said. "Give something that means something. It doesn't have to be the most expensive gift, as long as it comes from the heart."
Her store offers a variety of unique gifts to meet the needs of those last minute shoppers. She carries a selection of wine bottle stoppers, candles, picture frames, figurines, wall hangings and everything in between for a unique touch.
For an inexpensive and personal gift, Daniel suggested framing a special photograph.
She will be open today and Sunday morning for those who really put off the shopping.
And diamonds are always good.
Marilyn Simonson, owner of Wicker Jewelers in downtown Fort Dodge, said since everybody is so different, they are ready to help meet the needs of the last-minute shoppers.
Pearls have been a big seller this year, as well as necklaces and heart lockets.
But don't forget the chocolate.
Terry Cook, owner of Candies & More, said people can come in the store and custom fill their boxes picking from more than 80 types of chocolate.
Open today in downtown Fort Dodge and at the mall today and tomorrow, Cook said he's ready to help with the last minute gift ideas.
"When you want quality chocolate, come in and we'll get them made up," Cook said.
Most importantly, local retailers are ready to help make this Valentine's Day the most memorable, even for the last-minute shoppers. And most of them will do the wrapping.
Contact Angela Burch at (515) 573-2141 or aburch@messengernews.net
