Valentine’s Day is getting the thumb this year. In a random survey conducted around town last week that asked people if they gave Valentine’s Day a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down," two thirds of those polled voted in the negative.

While walking by Spanky’s Deli downtown, I noticed colored paper hearts plastered on the windows with the usual "Be Mine" sayings. Tom Cruise’s famous line, "You Complete Me" was inscribed on a heart; it gave me a chuckle.

Walking into CVS yesterday to thankfully fill a prescription that promises to make my sore throat/annoying cough go away, I was accosted by rows upon rows of heart-shaped candy, chocolate and too many teddy bears with banners professing love. I was the recipient of a bear last year and the only reason I kept him was because he plays Elvis when you squeeze his hand.

What can these random facts mean? Are we simply a nation that loves the idea of love or that has been taught to love the idea?

During elementary school years, Valentine’s Day is usually remembered happily, with traditions of candy and love for everybody. Sarah Ulrich, in the Registrar’s Office, remembers making decorative boxes to receive everybody’s card during the Valentine’s party.

This year’s plans are already in the works. "I read an article the other day about the best love movies of all time, so I think I’m going to invite my single female friends over for a movie night," she said.

Spencer Cowles, assistant professor of Business, has his Valentine’s Day tradition down pat. He buys his wife a box of Russell Stover chocolates, a bouquet of flowers from a shop downtown (they must have irises) and a card which, he claims, is the most important thing to her.

"I don’t write a lot in it, but I choose it carefully, making sure it’s not too dopey," he said.

Senior Tim Guntz and junior Melissa Horst will spend this Valentine’s Day together, but their plans were top secret. Last year Horst made a traditional Chinese dinner and the couple exchanged little gifts.

"I got out of class early and got to Melissa’s too early,” said Guntz. “She was a little bit upset but I just helped with the meal and everything was fine."

Mary Sprunger, associate professor of History, met her husband doing historical research in an archive.

"He was working there at the time. Somehow we made a plan that I would help him with his English, and he would help me with my debts - but I think we both knew it was a ruse." Although they have had romantic Valentine’s Day meals out, Sprunger says with two kids it’s hard to do anymore. Some years her husband finds a Valentine’s Day recipe, such as Cornish hens, and makes dinner at home.

Some people find the holiday a bad excuse to spend lots of money. One student, who wished to remain anonymous, only likes the holiday because he does not have a girlfriend. Laura Hurter does not like Valentine’s Day because she said "every day should be a day to express love." Hurter still plans on going out to dinner with her boyfriend because "that’s what you do."

My personal feeling is that, sure, Valentine’s Day is a Hallmark holiday, but that doesn’t mean you have to have a traditional love. Maybe I’ll make my roommates the objects of my affections come Feb. 14. Or maybe I’ll just attempt to brighten someone’s day with a plate of brownies. Maybe I’ll send a secret note professing my "like" to somebody.

In the spirit of saying "pooh-pooh" to Hallmark, here are some gift ideas to fit different budgets, and different loves, whether it be a secret admiring, a true-blue boyfriend/girlfriend, a spouse, or a best friend.

•For the one-stop care package, try the student snack mix at Kate’s Natural Products on University Boulevard, a mixture of nuts, raisins and various seeds. Add to that "real" chamomile tea and a few sticks of incense and you’ve got a simple-yet-nice gift.

•Hop, skip or jump over to Regal Cinemas and buy two movie tickets. Catching a matinee in the middle of the day is always a great diversion from winter doldrums.

•Take a short drive to Staunton to watch one of three Shakespeare plays in the newly-remodeled Shenandoah Shakespeare Blackfriars Playhouse. The winter season offers Romeo and Juliet, The Winter’s Tale, and As You Like It. Look for a coupon in eightyone.

•If you feel an urge to do the traditional flower thing, try tulips from Holland. They aren’t cheap, but a glimpse of spring during February might just be worth the money.

•Over Christmas time, I became a big fan of Red Envelope’s online catalog that is mostly cute stuff you don’t need, but gifts that are fun to give nonetheless. A red leather picture frame that holds two 2"x2" photos behind heart-shaped glass is $28 + S&H. A little pricey perhaps, but we all know how hard it is to say no to red leather. I also found some "love magnets," a set of six with the normal lovey-dovey sayings we’ve grown up with, including "Hi Cutie" and "Kiss Me." Thank goodness none of them mention anything about completing each other. The set is on sale for $12 + S&H.

Whatever situation Valentine’s Day finds you in, try to keep in the spirit of the holiday by at least being a nice person. That, at least, is free. Or, as my dad likes to say, "I’m a lover, not a fighter."