TODAY

We've rounded up some romantic dishes to share on Valentine's Day. Try Giada's spaghetti with beef, smoked almonds and basil.

Remember when Valentine’s Day consisted of a gussied-up shoe box stuffed with rip-and-share cards, followed by a mad sugar rush and the inevitable chocolate coma? Those were the days. But whether you’re a cootie-infested 7 year old or a (Sadie, Sadie) married lady, this day dedicated to love always includes one perk: An excuse to indulge.

While more than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold in honor of St. Valentine, according to the National Confectioners Association, that doesn’t mean you should pick up a random assortment of truffles and call it a day. Show that you care by whipping up a heartfelt homemade meal to share with loved ones. Food may be the way to a man’s heart, but we’re pretty sure it works on women (and the kiddos!) too. 

Spaghetti with beef, smoked almonds and basil, tarragon and Merlot truffles, and chocolate honey almond tarts (above)
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Scottos’ Valentine’s Day: Heart-shaped pizza, lasagna and banana pudding
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Eric Ripert’s Pork tenderloin in herbed salt crust, lentils du puy stew and curried cauliflower "en papillote"
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Gavin Kaysen’s crab fettuccine with lemon 
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Giada’s rib eye steaks with smokey arrabiata sauce, linguine with shrimp and lemon oil and gianduja soufflé 
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Hen-of- the-woods mushroom ravioli
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Jacques Torres’ chocolate mousse
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Martha Stewart’s chocolate ganache tartlets with meringue hearts  
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Sexy, sophisticated cocktails: L’Amour de Fleur, The Honeysuckle Rouge and Sparkling Sunset 
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More from TODAY.com:
So easy! These Valentine’s Day dishes will make your kids smile
Lusty lagers! Sip on aphrodisiac beers for Valentine's Day
Cocktails, vino to spark Valentine's Day romance

Pinterest

Looking for last-minute gift ideas? We all know the way to our loved ones' hearts is through their stomachs. As part of Pinterest's "30 Days of Pinspiration," TODAY and Paula Deen have teamed up to share our favorite gifts made in – or for – the kitchen. From s’mores gift jars and homemade truffles to DIY sugar and salt scrubs and delicious beverage infusions, there’s something for everyone on your list.

TODAY

Make some mouthwatering pumpkin whoopie pies as a last-minute gift. Get more delicious ideas on our Pinterest page!

We’ve even included some favorite edible gifts from the TODAY anchors. Check out our Gifts from the Kitchen Pinterest board to see what tasty treats Natalie, Al and Willie dole out to their lucky friends and family. It’s holiday crunch time – and time to get Pinspired! 

Click here to get 98 tasty gift ideas and click here to get more recipes and tips from Paula Deen. 

Who says Valentine's Day is for lovers? If you're single or not in the mood to celebrate romance, why not shower your platonic friends with gifts and sweets? They'll likely never break your heart, so it's actually a wise investment. (Just sayin'.)

For your girlfriends

Erica Weiner

Sweetheart necklace, $65, Erica Weiner
If your bestie can’t stop quoting Shakespeare, R. Kelly or Zoolander, inscribe her favorite words so she can keep them... near her heart. This Erica Weiner necklace can be customized with any saying, including “Love sucks.”

Deborah Lippmann

Nail polish, $16-$18, Deborah Lippmann
What lady doesn’t love a notice-me shade? Luxury nail polish brand Deborah Lippmann boasts the ultimate Valentine’s Day hues – a glittery princess pink called "Some Enchanted Evening" and a bordello red appropriately titled "Single Ladies." 

Baggu

Duck bag, $24, Baggu.com
Make schlepping things around all the more enjoyable with a cute and simple canvas carry-all, which comes in a rainbow of colors (including bright neons). Perfect for Whole Foods-supporting fashionistas.

Of a Kind

Sweetheart T-shirt, $66, OfaKind.com
Now you can “wear your heart on your sleeve,” thanks to Of a Kind’s sweetheart T-shirt by Laugh Cry Repeat. The online retailer, which specializes in promoting indie designers, releases limited-edition pieces to ensure your stylish friends are always kept unique.

Burt's Bees

Bee Pampered spa set, $10, Burtsbees.com
Most women are already wearing the brand on their lips, so why not the extend the goodness to their bodies? Drugstore favorite Burt's Bees' spa set includes a cranberry and pomegranate sugar scrub and body butter – two great products for affordable, sweet-smelling success.

For your guy friends

Otter Creek

The Otter Creek Essentials, $18 each / $54 for kit, Ocreek.com
Know a man’s man with just the slightest hint of metrosexuality? Indulge his vanity with a tongue-in-cheek gift set of boyish smell-good essentials, including a body wash scented with cedar, coffee and leather and a “Hair of the Dog” shampoo.

Gilt Taste

Chocolate-covered jalapenos, $34.99, Gilt Taste
Is he adventurous ... in the kitchen? For the boy who claims he’ll do anything, tell him to put his money where his mouth is by trying these sweet and spicy Belgian delicacies.

Fredflare.com

Self-adhesive mustaches, $10, Fredflare.com
Would he laugh in your face if you gave him a serious V-Day gift? We suggest a fake ‘stache. These actually come in rather handy during dinner parties, awkward moments or serious discussions.

Ahalife.com

Noble maple syrup, $50, Ahalife.com
Pancakes deserve top-shelf condiments and Ahalife boldly claims these ambrosial syrups, compared to Aunt Jemima, are “what Guinness is to PBR.” Feed your favorite foodie with the very best in taste – and bottle design.

JSx55

Hamburger print by Jon Chonko, $55, Jsx55.com
True love is a good sandwich (I think Liz Lemon of "30 Rock" taught us that). Celebrate tastiness with a gorgeous, glossy print of stellar sandwiches from Jon Chonko’s “Scanwiches” JSx55 exhibition. The collection extends beyond burgers to such classics as a BLT, sub, lobster roll, fluffernutter and more. (Tip: If you're already at Jsx55.com, check out their playful, Tiffany-inspired "diamond rings" for the ladies).

Rina Raphael is a TODAY.com editor who considers cheese the ultimate aphrodisiac.

More: 7 Valentine's Day gifts for the gentleman in your life
 The 9 best-rated face scrubs