Some say there are few things more meaningful than showering a loved one with gifts and meals. But in a slowing economy, such showering can cost a pretty penny.

This Valentine's Day, tighter wallets don't necessarily have to mean less love to go around. Some local businesses offer affordable options for dates and gifts, and local merchants say there are deals to be found.

Longtime local florist Carmen Cosentino said this week that the Auburn area is an ideal place to find Valentine's gifts. Because this is not a major metropolitan area, flowers, chocolates and even dinners are less expensive.

Even in Syracuse, he said, a dozen roses will cost noticeably more.

“Whatever the budget, you can walk in (to a flower shop) with three bucks and you'll walk out with something,” Cosentino said.

Cosentino's Auburn shop offers arrangements that include carnations or tulips. For those who want to still go with America's most popular flower but can't afford a whole dozen, there are three-rose arrangements, he said.

For candy, Cosentino suggested trying something different. Fudge, for instance, is perhaps more delicious and less expensive than boxed chocolates.

While Cosentino said his shop has all of the above, most local merchants will offer similarly affordable gifts, flowers and candies, he continued.

“You don't have to go big,” he said.

Most romantic evenings include a nice dinner, but staying in to eat can help keep expenses down. Some local dining establishments are giving customers a chance to bring home a professional quality meal.

Make and Take Gourmet on Grant Avenue allows patrons to come in, assemble ingredients for a menu item and cook it in their own kitchen. Currently, there are about 20 different dinner items customers can choose for $13, owner Meg Hogan said.

For Valentine's Day, Hogan is offering a special molten lava cake for dessert. To build a meal, sessions must be booked ahead of time by visiting www.makeandtakegourmet.com/auburn or calling 258-9078.

“For $30, you have dinner and dessert at home, which is much more affordable than going out,” Hogan said.

Take-out is available for lovers who don't want to worry about paying for a babysitter, drinks or other additional costs of a night out. Kevin Anderson of Lasca's Restaurant in Auburn said take-out's popularity is rising.

“It is expensive to go out, or it can be,” Anderson said. “There is value with carry out.”

But Anderson said his restaurant is still seeing strong reservations so far. And for those who make them at Lasca's, there will be specialty cocktails and menu items on Saturday.

Daut's in Auburn is also seeing strong reservations as the holiday approaches, said owner Kevin Dautrich. There will be a special Valentine's menu there as well, he said.

Dautrich said local merchants have to try not to worry about tight times, especially on one of the busiest days of the year for the food service industry.

“You take it one day at a time,” Dautrich said. “Especially with this economy.”

Christopher Caskey

253-5311 ext. 282

christopher.caskey@lee.net