A guide to a happy Valentine’s Day

With Valentine’s Day only a few ticks away, here is a guide to help you please your significant other and come off smelling like a rose.

FOOD AND DRINK:

▪  A pretty easy dinner for two

Staying in for Valentine’s Day? This menu won’t keep you in the kitchen.

▪  Last minute Valentine’s Day tip

Think flowers and local chocolates.

▪  A sweet pairing for Valentine’s Day

Not only do you need love as an ingredient for Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14), you need chocolate. Here are two samplings, one from a brick-and-mortar store, the other from an online retailer.

▪  Best dining bets for Valentine’s Day

In restaurants throughout the Sacramento region, chefs, servers and other staffers are getting ready to dish up a whole lotta love. Valentine’s Day falls on Saturday this year, turning an already high-demand night for dining out into a weekend-long extravaganza of multicourse meals designed for couples.

▪  Wine ideas for your valentine

A bottle of Champagne is a perfect gift to give or receive.

GIFTS:

▪  When chocolates just won’t do: Name a roach after your valentine

The Name-a-Roach program was first launched at the Bronx Zoo in 2011.

▪  Luxurious gifts or frugal finds

▪  Electronics as Valentine's Day gifts

▪  Valentine's Day gifts to avoid

▪  The history of the little candy heart

Valentine's Day means chalky candy hearts with a lot to say. But what's behind these very loud little candies?

▪  Best last-minute gifts

This story was originally published February 11, 2015 at 11:13 AM with the headline "A guide to a happy Valentine’s Day."