Valentine's Day

SYRACUSE — Students at Syracuse High School are risking blind dates this month in hopes of finding their true love — that is, a book they truly love.

The Titan Library Advisory Board, a volunteer group of 11 students, came up with the idea to offer blind dates with a book through the school’s library.

As Feb. 14 draws near, here are some tips for how to treat those special guys and girls in your life.

For the clueless boys:

OK, guys, so maybe Valentines’ Day isn’t exactly the manliest holiday ever, and maybe you just aren’t feeling the mushy lovey-dovey concept, but making your valentine happy is pleasure in itself, right?

Honestly, if you just pay attention to your valentine (if she hasn’t already started dropping hints), you will know what she likes and doesn’t like and will have a fairly general idea of what will make her feel special.

But here are a few tips for those of you feeling distant and unsure of your gifts or maybe need some ideas.

Embrace the day, hearts and all.

That’s the message from therapist Tami Robinette, who says doing something for your sweetie — beyond saying “I love you” — is important on Valentine’s Day.

Gifts are a message, too, and add “a little oomph” to the words that are spoken, says the licensed clinical social worker at Weber State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center. Whether you buy funny presents or go to a movie, it’s about making an extra effort to tell this person he or she is special to you, she says.

Here are some tips from Robinette and other Top of Utah relationship experts on getting it right this Valentine’s Day.

Next Thursday is the commercialized celebration of that greatest of human emotions — love. Florists, chocolatiers, restaurateurs, greeting card manufacturers and other fine purveyors of commercialized sentiment advertise and cajole us into letting our significant others know through the stream of commerce just how much we love them.

Presents are probably the worst part of any holiday. Trying to make sure you spend the same amount on someone's present that they spent on you, trying to find the perfect gift that they won't just shove in the closet or dump the first chance they get, and trying to make a gift meaningful and memorable are all problems we have.

LAYTON -- Some kisses can leave you breathless ... but not always in a good way. Before you pucker up for that Valentine's Day kiss, you might want to proceed with caution, especially if you suffer from food allergies.

OGDEN -- "God's watching over you while you take care of us."