Amber Brown says her favorite Valentine memory is from when she was in college and her boyfriend — now husband — drove 10 and a half hours overnight to surprise her with breakfast in bed.

“I was depressed because I didn’t think I’d be seeing him that year,” Brown, of Dalton, said. “But he had arranged with my roommate to get into my apartment and he woke me up with food from Hardees.”

Since most people do not have to cross state lines to impress their significant other, they get into the spirit of Valentine’s Day by exchanging the traditional gifts: flowers, candy, jewelry — and bright red stuffed gorillas that sing “Wild Thing” when squeezed.

More adventurous shoppers turn to the Internet when looking for unique gift ideas.

“My boyfriend and I always try to buy each other something strange. It’s almost like a contest to see who can out-do the other,” said Jessica Roberts, a Dalton State College student who does “about 75 percent” of her shopping online. She would not say what she bought her boyfriend this year, but said she uses google.com to do her searching.

A Google search for “Valentine’s Day gifts” returns 41 million hits, with links to most anything someone would want to purchase.

Clever online shoppers can design their own teddy bears (vermontteddybear.com), name a star after their sweetheart (www.starregistry.com) or send their loved ones a “pajama-gram” (www.pajamagram.com).

Those who have yet to buy something for that special someone need not worry. Most sites offer one- or two-day shipping, so there is still time to get a gift by Tuesday.

Anyone looking for last-minute traditional gift ideas should not have trouble finding something local.

Gloria Neal, owner of Davies Gifts and Jewelry on Thornton Avenue, said Feb. 14 is one of the productive holidays of the year for her business, second only to Christmas, and the most popular items are heart-shaped pendants.

Neal said many people end up waiting until the last minute.

“The busiest day (in the store) is the day before Valentine’s Day,” she said.

For those buying for someone with a sweet tooth, one of the most popular gifts is candy, while many people enjoy receiving a heart-shaped box full of sweets.

“Chocolate is what people give,” said Irene Wheat, owner of Irene’s Cake and Candy Supply on Walnut Avenue Wheat said her business always increases a little around Valentine's Day.

And what would Valentine’s Day be without red roses?