Valentine’s Day has once again crept up as American’s most over-commercialized holiday, resulting in pulled love-strings and masses of slaughtered roses. This year, however, instead of feeling like a confused love-fool, The Villanovan has dug up some original ideas to celebrate the big day. After all, we’ve managed to graduate successfully from the mix-tape era to the I-Pod, the VHS to the DVD, beepers to the camera cell-phones all in one.

So why haven’t we evolved our Valentine’s Day expectations? Same chocolates and roses ensemble?

Ditch that pre-historic tradition! In this high-tech, on-demand age we’ve come to expect only the best, and the best it is. Even for you singletons out there, there’s tons of ways to spread the love this year without selling your heart.

Here’s your complete guide to making this Valentines Day the simply the best.

Day Adventures

Salvador Dali exhibition beginning February 16 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Although it premieres two days after V-day, it could be a great way to beat the traditional hoopla surrounding the day itself. 215-763-8100. On www.gophila.com/dali you can get an $8 discount on the $20 tickets.

Bluecross Ice Rink at Penn’s Landing. February 14 is the last day to take advantage of ice-skating in Philly for only $6. 215-923-2801.

Romantic horse-drawn buggies that will take you down Society Hill, a restored 18th century neighborhood in Philly. You can hail these buggies around Independence Hall (4th-6th and Chestnut St. and Head House Square (2nd and Pine St.). For those practically married couples out there.

Rittenhouse Square in Philly. Located at 18th St. beyond 19th St. along Walnut St. This beautiful area has both lively and peaceful spots, trendy shops and funky restaurants. Nice for a romantic day or just for fun with friends.

Just for the girls–let your inner self “Glow” with facials. Located on 4167 Main St. in Manayunk. Manayunk, about a 10 minute drive or train ride, is brimming with tons of restaurants, fun places to shop and bars at night. 215-482-9900.

Philadelphia 76ers v. New York Knicks at the Wachovia Center on V-day. Takes place at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $50-100 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com. Plus, if you really want to score, for just $25 a 76ers representative will deliver one rose and a box of chocolates to your seat and your names will appear on the in-arena scoreboard during halftime. Whoever said sports weren’t romantic?

Harlem Globetrotters at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, PA. Takes place at 7p.m. and tickets range from $14-60. www.ticketmaster.com

Nighttime Fun

Thirty-dollar Friday night dinners available on campusphilly.com. Twenty21 is a personal favorite-romantic ambience, fantastic three-course dinner, comfortable furniture and hot, tasty bread. Sure to be impressive for a special somebody or just fun with friends. 215-851-6262 for Twenty21. Scope out http://www.gophila.com/valentines/ for other dinner ideas.

Intercourses at Valanni. The name says it all. Special V-day aphrodisiac dinner at 5, 7 or 9 pm on Monday. Four-course meal at $65 per person. For each seating there’s also complimentary champagne for two. Designed for those of you who want to wine, dine and score with your valentine. www.valanni.com

Bistro Romano on 120 Lombard St. in Philly. Mystery Valentines day dinner. $36.95 per person including show, dinner, hors d’oeuvres and piano lounge. Cheapest dinner package I could find. 215-952-8880

Funky Lil’ Kitchen. “Kiss the Cook” just for Valentine’s Day. 5-9pm. 232 King St. in Philly. 610-326-1400.

Valentine’s Day Cabaret. Takes place on Valentine’s Day (guess you could have figured that one out on your own) at the Philadelphia Orchestra on 260 Broad St. at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $10-$77. 215-893-1999.

Comedy Cabaret. Saturday, Feb. 12 for a little V-day fun with Brian Olsen and Mary Frances Connelly who appeared on the CBS show “Hack.” Takes place at the Best Western Hotel at 9:30 p.m on 11580 Roosevelt Blvd. in Philly. 215-625-5653.

21+ crowd

Swanky Bubbles. Philly’s only champagne bar with 12 champagne-spiked specialty drinks plus a dozen champagnes and 30 bottles. Asian finger food as well. 5p.m.-1a.m. 10 South Front St. in Philly. 215-928-1200. www.swankybubbles.com

Yards Brewing Company. Philly’s only surviving brewery. Beerfest dinner at World Café on Saturday, Feb. 12 at World Café Live on 2439 Amber St. 215-634-2600. Valentine’s Day has an oyster day special. Looks like a happening place for friends or loverrs. www.yardsbrewing.com

Bourbon Blue. Sounds familiar? BB is rumored to be Manayunk’s hippest night-spot where The Real World Philly visited. A three course prix fixe menu is available for Valentine’s Day for $75 per couple. Don’t forget to show your Wildcard when you pay. Bourbon Blue is offering all Villanova students a 10 percent discount. 4:30p.m.-1a.m. 215-508-3360. www.bourbonblue.com