Dating back to at least the time of ancient Greece, Valentine's Day and its international counterparts have been times for celebrating love, courtship, marriage and fertility. The holiday was most likely brought to North America around the 19th century by British settlers and is commonly associated with the giving of chocolates, roses, greeting cards, and jewelry.

Guess what all of this means? Valentine's Day is old; it has occurred on the same day of every year for over 100 years! Yet this fact does little to prevent it from sneaking up on every single one of us every single year. The one upside is that, unlike anniversaries and birthdays (excepting those of famous events and persons), it is a national holiday - it's on the calendar. Therefore, though there is the high probability of waiting until the last minute, it is nearly impossible to forget.

There are several ways to celebrate Valentine's Day, all of which can be separated into four categories. A) Clich/: flowers, chocolates and dinner out. B) Sweet: perhaps there was extra effort in the presentation. C) Extravagant: this involves those little (or not-so-little) shiny things. D) Creative: insert imagination here.

Clich/ is cute. Everyone should experience at least one of these in his or her lifetime - preferably several. Sweet is for those just getting to know each other. Admittedly there is quite a lot overlap between clich/ and sweet, but those who follow the sweet route generally stand a better chance of being around for round two next year. If you've got the money (both boys and girls), being extravagant will not steer you wrong. Yet the absolute best method to implement is the creative. Personalize the event so that staring through your neighbors' window doesn't yield a duplicate of your own evening. Finally, if you have even the slightest smidgeon of romanticism in your bones, this is the time to let it all out. Don't be embarrassed; Valentine's Day celebrates all of that mushy crap.

Last year my soon-to-be brother-in-law needed a little help from my mom and me. While he took my sister out to dinner, Mom and I crept into their house and set up 30 or so candles of varying shapes and sizes and several romantically aimed helium balloons around their living room. He had, of course, met in secret with us shortly after he had purchased the bounty and the three of us had discussed arrangements and whatnot until we were all satisfied that it would be perfect. She loved it.

Other parts of the world have their own ideas for celebrating love and friendship.

In Japan and Korea women (and sometimes men) give chocolates or flowers to people they like, which often amounts to a rather intimidating list for political and social reasons if nothing else. This obligatory chocolate is called giri-choko. Chocolate exchanged between girlfriends is tomo-choko, and chocolate given to a significant other is honmei-choko. March 14, or White Day, is when men are supposed to return the favor with gifts of white chocolate or marshmallows to the women who gave them gifts. The tradition has allegedly become somewhat watered down.

Korea also celebrates Black Day, April 15. On this day all the men who did not receive Valentine's Day presents gather together and eat a specific type of noodle. (Finally, an official day of sulking dedicated to the "collateral" of Valentine's cheer.) Pepero Day, November 11, is specifically for the exchanging of gifts between young couples.

Other similar holidays are The Night of Sevens (China), Hag Haahava (Jewish), Dia Dos Namorados (Brazil), Dia Del Amor y La Amistad (Columbia and Mexico), Saint Gregory's Day (Slovenia), Dragobete (Romania), and Valentinsdag (Denmark, Norway and Sweden).

Involved or single, have a happy Valentine's Day. Even if you don't have that one special person, you still have your friends and lots and lots of chocolate.

Kyra-lin Hom may be contacted at kl_hom@yahoo.com