Oh, LOVE is in the air!

On Valentine's Day, the town is painted red -- balloons, stickers, cupcakes, you name it. Shops overflow with red dresses, red roses, and red handbags. You see lovers walking hand in hand, basking in new love. Clubs, discos and other favorite hangouts are teeming with young couples, looking for a moment of togetherness. Then again, couples in love need not be young or drop dead gorgeous. Valentine's Day looks beyond differences, and celebrates love in all its avatars. Pablo Picasso declared, "Love is the greatest refreshment in life." This Valentine's Day quote is a splendid argument in favor of the annual day of romance.

Say "I Love You" Before It is Too Late Have you been secretly in love with a cute boy at school? Do you want to say, "I love you" to a special girl at work? Don't bottle your feelings. Make the move on Valentine's Day. Keeping your feelings to yourself will get you nowhere. The secret admirer always loses out to the outspoken lover. If you are too shy to put your infatuation into words, this collection of Valentine's Day quotes will help. Get out of your comfort zone. Use an ultra-romantic quote to woo the person of your dreams. Try this one by Claudia Ghandi, "If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden." Die-hard romantics will adore this one.

Don't Forget to Wish Your Sweetheart Happy Valentine's Day Each year on Valentine's Day, many couples end up in verbal battles because one partner forgets all about Valentine's Day. Naturally, the peeved partner feels upset and hurt. Do you often give Valentine's Day a miss? Do you generally look sheepish when your spouse gifts you something wonderful, and all you have to offer is a grocery bag? Make a promise to remember V-Day this year. Highlight it on your planner. Put a reminder on your phone. Ask a friend to give you a timely nudge.

Shower Your Dearest With Gifts and Sweet Words Better yet, buy Valentine's Day gifts in advance. If you still end up forgetting, make it up to your partner. Muster up your romantic gene. Cook a romantic dinner. Plan an intimate getaway. Bring the guitar out of retirement, and serenade your partner with Aerosmith's "Falling in love is so hard on the knees." Maybe even use some extra-mushy love quotes, or write a love letter.

Appreciate Friends and Family The Valentine's Day story is closely associated with romantic love. However, the day of love is also an opportunity to appreciate friends and family. While you are looking at Valentine's Day messages and cards for your lover, pick up a few for your near and dear ones too. Express your love to the people who are always there for you, ready to share your joys and sorrows. They are always pushing you to greater heights. A quote by German thinker Johann Wolfgang von Goethe deserves special mention here. He said, "Love does not dominate; it cultivates." You will find many more such insightful Valentine's Day quotes for friends in my pages.

Spread the Love Even if Cupid's arrow has not yet struck, spread the message of love. One of my favorite love quotations is, "Love means nothing in tennis, but it's everything in life." Nevertheless, not having a significant other is not the end of the world. Think about all the other wonderful people in your life – friends, family, colleagues, teachers. If geographical distance separates you, send a text message, or take the e-card route. Better yet, pick up the phone and wish your favorite folks, "Happy Valentine's Day." Spread the love by volunteering at an orphanage, old age home or a soup kitchen. Make someone happy.

Valentine's Day for Singles Being single on Valentine's Day is a bummer. However, there are plus points to being unattached on the day of love. If you do not want to mope around at home, gather up your single friends and set out for a night in town. A fun dinner, loads of conversation, and maybe some dancing, could leave you feeling bubbly again. Revel in your single status.

Anti-Valentine's Day Brigade Then again, Valentine's Day is not for everyone. A quick look around you will reveal two types of people – one, that adores Valentine's Day, and the other one that hates it. If you belong to the Anti-Valentine brigade, cock a snook at the love charlatans with these anti-Valentine's Day sayings. As Jay Leno put it, "Today is Valentine's Day. Or, as men like to call it, extortion day."

Show Off Your Sense of Humor If you are looking to impress, use some Valentine's Day humor. Why limit Valentine's Day to sickly sweet and embarrassingly sappy messages? If you cannot think up funny Valentine's Day quotes, borrow from the greats. The ever-funny George Bernard Shaw wrote, "The perfect love affair is one which is conducted entirely by post."