Laura Angelo had everything arranged for a perfect Valentine's Day, from her skintight bodysuit to chocolate, strawberries, candles -- and no roommate.

But sometimes, Cupid's arrow flies awry.

"We went to dinner and argued the whole time," said Angelo (senior-integrative arts). The only time they stopped fighting was during the movie, because they had to be quiet. "I was like -- it's Valentine's Day, let's just try to get along."

Although that happened a few years ago, the experience has left Angelo with mixed feelings.

"I kind of have a bad taste in my mouth," she said.

To walk around downtown State College, it might appear as if everyone is someone's Valentine. Windows display "I love you" paraphernalia and even Rite Aid Express, 116 S. Allen St., has buckets of red roses on its counter.

Yesterday, last minute shoppers scouted the town for gifts and cards. Two students sifted through cards at Graham's, 124 S. Allen St., and discussed the surprise candlelight Spaghetti O dinner they planned for their girlfriends.

But only a few steps away, some chalky conversation hearts lay scattered in the snow. A green "my love" heart slowly dissolved in a puddle, a reminder that not everyone will spend today reciting Shakespearean love sonnets.

"I think it's a real cheesy holiday," said Anne Cipri (junior-health policy administration). "I think the whole concept about Valentine's Day is for the card and flower industry to make money."

Instead of giving hackneyed roses and candy, Cipri said students could give cut daisies or homemade gifts and cards.

"I think it could be a really beautiful holiday, but I think it's commercialized," she said.

But the typical fare still sells. Sales at Woodring's Floral Gardens, 145 S. Allen St., have been especially busy this year because Valentine's Day falls on a Monday, said employee Anita Butler. People celebrated all weekend, she said.

"We were really busy this weekend," Butler said, sticking roses into a dried flower arrangement as other employees stepped around her. About 15 to 20 extra people were hired to ease the heavy workload. Butler said she has so much work to do she probably won't celebrate until Wednesday night.

"We have different hours all week (before)," Butler said. Although the typical gifts were selling well, she also saw men buying roses to put engagement rings in the flower's head. "There's a more romantic feeling this year."

Yet not all shoppers were searching for a present for their Romeo or Juliet. Kristine Gibson (freshman-geosciences and geography) said she bought a gift for one of her single friends. She and five other girlfriends drew names from a hat to exchange gifts and will get dressed up for dinner tonight at the Tavern Restaurant, 220 E. College Ave.

"We weren't going to sit around and mope," Gibson said.

Although Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, may have ignored a few people this year, not everyone has christened the day "black Monday" and shunned anything red -- some people just don't care.

"I'm impartial to it," said Heather Wiegand (junior-molecular and cell biology). "I have an exam at 6:30."