Admittedly, Valentine’s Day is the bastion of meaningless, Hallmark-created holidays — if you love a person, I’d hope you’d pick more than one day a year to show it. However, some modicum of celebration is required, so this week Recommended Diversions is dedicated to those still struggling for ideas (i.e. men) and/or looking for that “financially-efficient” way to their loved one’s heart.

Love Is For The Birds

Handmade gifts both carry meaning and generally are easier on the wallet. For this simple birdfeeder you’ll need three things — 12 inches of florist’s wire, dried cranberries and some twine (and I don’t mean fishing twine, I mean the rustic looking stuff). Thread the dried cranberries onto the florist’s wire leaving about an inch on either end. Twist the ends together, clip off any excess and form the wire into a heart shape. Tie a 12-inch loop of twine in the middle of the top of the heart. Hang in a tree with plenty of branches for perching while nibbling.

No Reservations Needed

February’s a bit cool for dining in the great outdoors, but you can still plan a living room picnic with candles, a comfy blanket and a host of goodies. You don’t need high-maintenance foods; rather cold salads like black bean and corn or chicken go great with fresh bread and butter and a bottle of white wine. Think of finger foods you can feed to one another like grapes (seedless – spitting isn’t anyone’s idea of romance) or raspberries. For dessert, splurge on something rich and chocolate, but still easy. Truffles are fabulously decadent. For low-key, post-picnic entertainment rent a few canoodlers such as “Shakespeare In Love,” “Kate & Leopold, ” “Hero” or “Love Actually.”

Anything But Roses

That’s right. Sending roses takes marginally more effort than remembering to zip your fly. If you’re hemmed in by the traditional, at least spice it up with a multi-colored bouquet. Those open to change might consider irises, Gerber daisies or lilies though be cautioned that these many not be in stock at your local florist, so call ahead and order as early as possible. And knowing that many girls like to receive flowers at work, take a break from your workday (remember V-Day is Monday, Feb. 14) and deliver the flowers yourself. Heck, you could even use it as an opportunity to take her out for lunch.

Get Around To It

This weekend send the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese with a babysitter, let her have the entire day to herself and you get around to doing that thing you told her you were going to do — take out the recycling, mulch the flowerbeds, clean the garage, change the furnace filter, chop some firewood, wash and wax the cars. Use the time to both hold up your end of the bargain at home and take a chore off her hands. The less time she has to spend on these activities, the more time she has to spend on you (nudge, nudge).

— by Sarah Kucharski