Valentine’s Day is a bit like a rose. The rosebud is complicated: sometimes the petals open up and share the rose’s beauty and fragrance while other times they stay tightly shut with no chance of being coaxed open. Then there is the stem with its sharp thorns.  Valentine’s Day has the chance to be that perfectly bloomed rose, a stunning swirl of petals, or it can go awry and turn into a thorny mess.  With a little planning and thought, Valentine’s Day in Boston can be that quintessential rose.  Here is a perfect dozen options for Valentine’s Day in Boston.  Just because the 14th is actual Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you have to celebrate on that exact date.  Share a card and some thoughts on the 14th but make the celebration perfect whether it falls on the 14th or just near the 14th.

1  For some, a night in is much more appealing than a night out.  For the perfect Valentine’s Day night in (it doesn’t even have to be exactly on Valentine’s Day) the Fireside Suite at the Taj Boston would be my first choice.  The fireplace concierge will come and light a fire for you and your sweet pea at any time of day or night.  Enjoy a cocktail or some chocolate treats off the special fireside menu and enjoy one another’s company for a night in away from home.

2 -If the spark of a fire pales in comparison to the sparkle of a diamond, then you and your spouse-to-be might want to spend some time together at the Brilliant Earth Diamonds showroom.  New to the East Coast, Brilliant Earth brings beautiful collections of contemporary, vintage, and nature inspired designs to Newbury Street. Store hours are Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. To 7 p.m. By appointment only.  Brilliant Earth’s Diamonds are responsibly sourced so you can feel good about donning your sparkle.

For a smaller boutique bling experience head to Laura Preshong in the South End where you will also find ethically sourced diamonds and varied collections of delicate and unique designs.

3-Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in sugar and spice and everything nice. DANIEL Alum Shaun Velez has just joined Deuxave as their pastry chef extraordinaire.  In addition to uniquely spiced and flavorful sweets such as a meyer lemon vacherin, meyer lemon sorbetti, black pepper chantilly, red currant gelée and matcha paper, baba at Calvados, ginger biscuits, orange cream and quince glacé, for Valentine’s Day there will be the perfect sugar sculpture for your boo.  This “off-menu” dessert is an engagement ring sugar sphere that will create a sweet unforgettable moment.

4-Hot Stuff.  Sometimes the simpler Valentine’s moments are the most successful and memorable.  Sitting knee to knee with a cup of fiery hot chocolate at Flour Bakery or a milder Mexican Hot Chocolate from the South End Buttery will warm the heart, body, and soul.

5-If eyes are the window to the soul then you’ll need plenty of time to gaze into one another’s.  What better place to do that than the Langham Boston’s Chocolate Bar. This chocolate feast is heaven on earth for chocolate lovers. Café Fleuri transforms into a gallery of edible chocolate art.  This year’s theme is The Art of Chocolate with miniature sculptures, chocolate spray paint, and more pastries and treats than you can imagine in one place.  The rich sounds of jazz fill the room as you indulge in this cacao feast.

6-Don’t get your knickers in a twist if you’re not a chocolate person.  Instead, spend an evening with your loved one(s), some hot, twisted, salted dough and a cold one at Harpoon Brewery.  Get sauced or get saucy. It’s up to you and the company you keep.  Salted Pretzels come with two dipping sauces.  Sauce options are: garlic butter, IPA cheese, Ale mustard, peanut butter, red pepper aioli, maple cider icing, bacon ranch and marinara.  Pretzels come come salted with a choice of two sauces ($5), cinnamon sugar served with peanut butter and maple cider icing($5), or Parmesan served with marinara ($6). There is parking at the brewery but treat yourself to an Uber so you can really let loose.

7-If the pressure of actual Valentine’s Day has your heart racing, skip the drama and treat yourself and your loved one to a different kind of special night out on February 28th.  Eat Your Heart Out Boston is an evening of food, fun and fabulous music at The Sinclair on Sunday, February 28th. Local Chefs and Boston band The Bad Rabbits come together for an evening of food, fun and music to benefit local charities Future Chefs and Girls Rock Band Campaign. Tickets for Eat Your Heart Out Boston can be purchased online at http://www.sinclaircambridge.com at The Sinclair box office. VIP tickets are $75 per person, and general admission tickets are $50 per person. Participating chefs include: Keenan Langlois-The Sinclair, Louie Dibicarri-Tavern Road, Matt Jennings-Townsman, Michael Scelfo-Alden & Harlow, Suzi Maitland-Trina’s Starlite Lounge, Tiffani Faison-Sweet Cheeks & Tiger Mama, Tim Cushman-Hojoko, Will Gilson-Puritan & Co., John DaSilva-Spoke, Michael Serpa-Select Oyster Bar, Tara Bresnick-Blackbird Donuts, Francisco Millan-Row 34 & Island Creek Oyster Bar.

8-Do you know what else gives you that pitter patter in your heart, the floating feeling like the floor has been pulled from under your feet, and that adrenaline rush as your love catches your eye?  Big Air. That same feeling can be felt careening down a 140 foot high snow ramp or watching someone go down said ramp.  If you and your love are the thrill seeking types, then you’ll definitely want to celebrate Valentine’s Day a little early at Big Air Fenway.

9-Dance your way into one another’s hearts by sharing a performance together.  Boston Ballet’s Onegin opens on February 25th.  The performance on Friday February 26th is followed by with a special post performance discussion hosted by Meredith Goldstein of Boston.com’s Love Letters.  For something a little more intimate (and closer to Valentine’s Day) find seats for a BB at Home performance on February 13th and 14th. If you want even more dance, head to the ICA for Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance! On February 12th and 13th.

10-For the film loving couple or family something beyond the typical dinner and a movie is in order for Valentine’s Day.  Oscar Nominated Shorts at the ICA followed by dinner nearby maybe at Committee, Row 34, Blue Dragon or Tavern Road. For a family outing, stop in at the Boston Public Library for the Family film at the BPA Jake and the Neverland Pirates on Sunday February 14th at 2 p.m. in the Central Library.

11-If you’d like to keep things casual, then Casual Friday at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which on February 12th will include a little Romeo and Juliette action. For something a bit more soulful and budget friendly (as in free) head over to Berklee for some funk rock with Zilla/ Cherry Mellow/Jive McFly

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12-Since we only get an extra day once every four years, Fairmont Copley Plaza is making the most of it with a Pop-Up Speakeasy.  On Leap Day, February 29, 2016, The St. James Room, one of the hotel’s iconic spaces, will transform into a vibrant cocktail lounge with a secret entrance, live entertainment, craft cocktails and small bites. The menu for the evening is created by Executive Chef Laurent Poulain.