Has Lismore lost that loving feeling?

The clock is fast ticking towards Valentine’s Day and it appears that very few of us are making plans to wine, dine, or woo that special someone.

Service stations on the Bruxner Highway are doing their best to get us in the mood. They’ve been advertising Valentine’s Day flowers for more than a week.

But when it comes to matters of the heart we aren’t necessarily quick to take action.

Jenny Jones, owner of Lismore Florist, has seen it all before.

“Most orders are left to the last-minute on Valentine’s Day,” she says. “Not too many guys get organised too early.”

Plus, it doesn’t help that V-Day falls on a Sunday this year.

Sometimes known to do 36 hours straight in the run-up to Valentine’s Day, Jenny thinks this year may be more relaxed.

Often a Sunday V-Day is quieter because flowers tend to be sent to workplaces or schools, she explains.

“I think we’ll still be busy but not crazy busy.”

Nevertheless, she’s stocking up on red roses and urging people with a twinkle in their eye to get organised early.

“It’s best to call as soon as possible,” she says. “We prioritise the orders so whoever orders first is guaranteed.

“People who ring on Sunday will get flowers if we have any left.”

Sisters Glenda and Karen Ramsbotham love nothing better than to put together a romantic picnic or even a pop-up wedding.

The owners of the Lismore business High Tea Ladies recently set up picnic at Byron’s Wategos Beach for a bold bloke who was about to pop the question.

But time is running out if you fancy whisking someone away for a romantic picnic on Sunday.

“With the romantic picnics we can set them up nicely; or they can come and pick it up; or we can meet them somewhere,” says Glenda.

But she warns they do need at least 48 hours to make the magic happen.                  

“In prior years we’ve noticed people tend to go more for the restaurants on Valentine’s Day,” she says.

And, of course, fine food and wine is often the perfect way to win someone’s heart.

Except this year with V-Day falling on a Sunday some of Lismore’s favourite bars and restaurants are closed. Or putting Valentine’s Day on the menu on Saturday night.

Uncle Lim’s Asian Fusion is one that will be open on Sunday for couples wanting to gaze into each other’s eyes over dinner.

Ethan Lim, owner of Uncle Lim’s Asian Fusion, says it will be business as usual, with nothing particularly special planned for loved-up couples.

So come on Lismore, it’s up to you to get organised and show the love. Book a table, send some flowers or chocs, or purchase some pampering for your favourite person. Or you may just find yourself eating take-away on the couch on Valentine’s Day.