Chocolates: the affordable diamonds

The way to a person's heart is through his or her stomach. There is nothing more desirable than a mate who can concoct a tantalizingly tasty meal. If you're not skilled in the art of cooking, fear not, because appreciating fine cuisine and knowing where to look for it is almost as attractive an attribute.

On Valentine's Day, this is particularly the case, and one wrong move could send you packing on your way to one sad evening alone. Take heed. Though flowers may be key, chocolate is a widely recognized aphrodisiac, and could be more beneficial to you in the long run. (Although the combination has been known to work quite nicely.)

The no fail treat that both shows your affection and your culinary expertise is the succulent chocolate covered strawberry. Making them yourself is often a task, as is even finding nice ripe strawberries to cover, so purchasing this delight is usually the way to go. Godiva, known for its exceptional quality chocolate, offers a decadent and delicious version and the convenience of being right around the corner.

Salespeople at the Valley Fair mall boutique say that the strawberries are popular and inevitably sell out, so they recommend ordering in advance. Pick up the phone, call the store and request to your heart's content. They'll pack those beauties up in an elegant box and you can just swoop in and pick them up on the big day. At $35 per pound, they're an investment (each berry can range from $3 to $6 depending on size), but could prove to pay large dividends when presented to your significant other. A bottle of champagne and some candlelight later and you're in business. And if you don't have someone special to spend the evening with, treat yourself. Gorging on chocolate is probably less sickening than a cheezy Valentine's date anyway.

â€" Written by Michelle Murphy