Oh, the dreaded Valentine’s Day. It’s a day when we’re supposed to be more in love with our partners than other days, or at least act like it. There’s a lot of pressure to plan a romantic evening — and nothing kills romance more than pressure.

We’ve tried to make it easy for you by putting together a few templates — gift, dining, entertainment — for a successful Valentine’s Day.

All the Single Ladies

If you want something a little softer and gentler than our previously suggested roasted pig ears and shoot-’em-up movie suggestion from last week (link), there’s nothing like a girls’ night out to keep you in good spirits if you’re not in a relationship. Rally your girlfriends together for dinner and shopping. Why not kill two lovebirds with one stone and enjoy dinner and cocktails at the Highland Village location of RA and treat yourself to something for the kitchen from Williams Sonoma or to adorn yourself at Anthropologie?

Or, if you’re on the West Side, make your way to RA CityCentre and check out the new J. Crew and an old favorite, Sur La Table.

In the Galleria area? Order from the bar menu at Del Frisco’s or have a dozen oysters and a glass of sparkling wine at The Oceanaire Seafood Room, then set your sights on Intimacy just around the corner. I’m an advocate for treating yourself to something beautiful for no reason at all, and February 14 is a good day to do just that. Nothing says “I love you” like festive cocktails, a new little something for yourself and the celebration of a free and open heart.

Love Grows

Getting flowers is delightful, no matter the occasion. But if you and your love have green thumbs, why not get a little more creative? Buchanan’s Native Plants has a sweet selection of jewelry, books and candles — but a cool idea is planting a love garden, perhaps in a funky container for the patio. Herbs grow with enthusiasm, and Buchanan’s has several unique offerings such as pineapple mint and purple-hued basil. If your partner enjoys cooking at home, a little edible garden of herbs and peppers and tomatoes can be planted this weekend. (Now is prime time for putting in your spring garden.) Several romantic dinners at home would be enhanced by selections from your very own edible garden. Or, consider a flowering tree: oriental magnolias, redbuds and Mexican plum trees are ready for planting right now.

Don’t want to get your hands dirty? How about celebrating with a few bottles of something else from the garden — vino, of course. Houston Wine Merchant will help you pick out a special bottle — or create a custom selection of wines for you to enjoy on Valentine’s Day and throughout the year. Their bimonthly wine-delivery program is something editor Teresa Byrne-Dodge always looks forward to. Would you prefer a dozen red roses, or a dozen bottles of red wine? You decide.

Afternoon Delight

Can I make a suggestion? Bypass the Valentine’s Day dinner and do lunch. The crowds will be less intense, the public outing that Valentine’s Day seemingly demands will be crossed off your list, and you and your someone can snuggle up at home that evening. Kiran’s is hosting a Valentine’s Day-themed lunch for $45 per person. If you want romance without the specialty menu, Rainbow Lodge is hosting regular lunch service in Houston’s most romantic cabin-on-the-bayou.  On Thursday afternoon from 4 to 6 pm, The Tasting Room at Uptown Park is hosting an Etude winemaker tasting where you can try different wines and make your order there in person. The cost is $15 per person or $20 per couple and goes towards your purchase of wine. Wine maker Jon Priest will even autograph your bottles. So why not knock off early from work and spend the afternoon admiring each other (and the grapes).

Rekindling the Romance

For couples in it for the long haul, the house, the bills and the jobs can get to be a bit much sometimes. A “staycation” can provide some much-needed relief. You don’t have to buy plane tickets and, for the perpetually-worried parental types, staying close to home provides a little peace of mind. There’s never been a better time to take advantage of our lovely hotels in downtown Houston. How about a weekend at The Four Seasons? Make a reservation to dine at Quattro, the in-hotel restaurant, or check out Vic & Anthony’s.

Phoenicia Market is just across the street from The Four Seasons, and you can save some bucks while enjoying a hearty morning meal by walking over for their $9.95 breakfast bar (and grab a bottle of bubbly while you’re there for later). In the evening, you might also check out MKT Bar, which is featuring live music and $12 steak dinners Tuesday through Saturday this week.

Another great “staycation” option is at the Hotel Icon. Ask about their Valentine’s package that includes Champagne upon check-in, a three-course dinner at their restaurant, Line & Lariat, and a rose petal bath.

Let the Good Times Roll … and Roll

Today, February 12, is Fat Tuesday, and Valentine’s Day is Thursday, February 14. This sounds like an excuse to keep a bit of that Louisiana flair going, and nothing in Houston reminds us of New Orleans so much as Brennan’s. Make a reservation for their three-course Valentine’s Day dinner for $75. Choose from classics like turtle soup, Louisiana jumbo lump crabcakes and bananas Foster, or get more adventurous with one of their many other menu choices. You must, of course, finish with one of their famous pralines. There’s a huge display by the front door. Slip an extra praline in your pocket for later. After all, Valentine’s Day is a day for sweetness.

High On Love

Put chemistry to work for you on Valentine’s Day. Indulge in the euphoria-inducing theobromine found in chocolate and make sure it’s a late night with some quality coffee. (Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday this year, but you can handle skipping your bedtime occasionally, can’t you?)

Score brownie points by giving your sweetheart this handsome boxed set of locally made Tejas Chocolate, coffee and chocolate-covered coffee beans. Then, whisk your date away to The Capitol at St. Germain for lobster bisque, crab cakes with avocado and mango and the mixed grill with a little bit of everything: shrimp, snapper, chicken and beef. You can probably find something creative to do with the accompanying lemon-butter dipping sauce.

What’s for dessert? How can you turn down a chocolate tower? There are other options to choose from on this $65 prix fixe menu, too. End the evening with a long, lighthearted conversation at Southside Coffee (open late) over a delectable espresso or a glass of wine.

Love Stinks

Getting over a bad breakup? Forget it. Grab your bros and get over to The Hay Merchant and treat yourself to a big basket of sweet and salty pig’s ears along with a few choice craft brews, then take yourself next door to
Underbelly. Chef Chris Shepherd’s crew always has something tasty and easy to share in giant cast-iron skillets, whether it’s a hunk of lamb shank or a freshly caught Gulf fish. Then, choose between the Love Sux party at Howl at the Moon or a showing of A Good Day to Die Hard, because nothing makes you forget an aching heart like watching Bruce Willis blow up stuff.

As the French Do

There’s not a thing wrong with class and elegance, which is why so many couples choose a French restaurant for Valentine’s Day. Present the lady with a bouquet that includes red roses (but is not exclusively made of them, because that’s kind of boring), or go a little more exotic with tropical flowers. A little jewelry never hurts, either. Ladies, perhaps you can spring for a silk tie and gorgeous cufflinks or a gift certificate for some place where he can buy something just for him?

Then, it’s off to a romantic French dinner and there are many places you can go. New restaurant Étoile in Uptown Park is getting plenty of rave reviews. Try their three-course Valentine’s Day menu for $68. Or, hit up Artisans downtown for their five-course dinner that includes an espresso-rubbed filet mignon. Philippe Restaurant + Lounge is featuring “Aphrodisiac Specials,” including the humorous classic “Frogs Back in the Pond,” an asparagus soup with frog legs, quail eggs, brioche, micro greens and caviar. L’Olivier has designed a menu meant for two, with sharable entrées like chateaubriand center cut filet of beef and whole rack of lamb. You might be able to surprise your date by driving to Culinary Institute LeNôtre. It looks like a cooking school on the outside, and of course it is, but inside resides Kris Bistro, an elegant, student-staffed French restaurant that is featuring a three-course Valentine’s menu for $65 per person.

Finish the evening with the touching movie Amour, the winner of the 2012 Palme d’Or (Golden Palm) award at the Cannes Film Festival. It’s currently showing at the River Oaks Theatre.

Do not wait. Make sure to make your reservation for any of these restaurants ASAP.