YELLOWKNIFE - By tonight hundreds of Yellowknifers will be nibbling chocolates, staring at roses and maybe even enjoying a candlelit dinner.

Valentine's Day is back, and the staples of romance have been brought out. But for some, variety is the spice of life.

Jan Granburg, manager of Langlois, looks over a sea of chocolate the store has to offer. Granburg recommends tasting chocolate with champagne. - Jessica Klinkenberg/NNSL photo

Barry Neary, owner of For Men Only, said business is picks up right before Valentine's Day.

"I noticed a lot of ladies buying clothing for guys," Neary said.

"Men don't really like chocolates or flowers," was his guess as to why clothes would be a popular item.

Novelty gifts were also selling out, he said.

"We do sell quite a bit of lingerie," he said. This includes boxers with hearts or red underwear for men.

But for those who want to make Valentine's Day even more intimate, the store offers things such as massage oils.

But when Valentine's Day is mentioned, it's the dozen roses and heart-shaped boxes of chocolate that come to mind.

"It's the second-most-popular day for flowers after Mother's Day," said Marie Chenard, a manager at Flowers by Manuela.

"Flowers make everybody feel happy,” she said. “Flowers are a feel-good present. They're a way to say 'I'm thinking about you'."

Flowers by Manuela also offers chocolates to go with their roses - heart-shaped boxes or a box of chocolate that's extra-special.

"It's made out of chocolate," said Chenard.

Langlois has a chocoholic’s dream selection of chocolate.

"Chocolate's becoming like wine, you start to develop something of a repertoire for it. Your palate becomes much more varied," said Jan Granburg, manager of Langlois.

"Chocolate is special, chocolate is considered decadent."

Her recommendation? Turn that box of chocolate into a presentation. Don't just hand it over, take time to enjoy the candy with your loved one with a bottle of champagne.

But if you're going the champagne route, not just any chocolate will do.

At Langlois, a small box of Valrhona chocolates, containing a dozen pieces of chocolate, comes to $41.

"They're considered the best in the world," said Granburg.

This investigative reporter bought a box, and discovered a silky texture and richness of flavour that left her mouth watering.

And if just eating chocolate seems boring, Granburg has another suggestion.

"If anybody wants a delicious recipe for chocolate body paint, I have a recipe," she said.