With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, we’ve started to speak the language of chocolates and cards, dinner reservations and dozens of roses, and, inevitably, how all these gifts, recycled from year to year, fall short in honoring love. Maybe the cynicism is warranted. Or we’re just frustrated that we forgot to reserve a table early. Either way, The News has compiled some eclectic gift options for your lucky significant others waiting for the gesture that flies in the face of the chocolate and roses formula.

Friday afternoon, we visited a blustery Newbury Street and the surrounding areas to see what local store managers, owners and employees recommend for the man or woman in your life. And all these products were in stock at the time of publication, too, so if you’re not covered yet, you still have three days. Godspeed.

Robbie Phillips, 36, manager Newbury Comics 332 Newbury St. (617) 236-4930

For your woman One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost and Found, a CD box-set that captures the best girl pop of the 1960s with artists like Irma Thomas, the Honeys and the Ikettes (about $60) “All about how great guys can be – or not.”

For your man “The Complete Thin Man Collection” on DVD, starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as husband and wife sleuths (about $50) “It’ll teach them about marriage. [The series] is full of happiness and love.”

Chanel Cyrus, 19, employee Sugar Heaven 218 Newbury St. (617) 266-6969

For your woman A custom-made candy bouquet, with chocolate roses, lollipops shaped like flowers and a variety of jellybeans (about $40) “Girls love chocolate. Right? Don’t they?”

For your man Sweet and Sexy brand garter belts and other undergarments made out of candy (about $17) “They’ll want to eat it off you.”

Frank Russo, 49, owner Fenway Sportszone 306 Newbury St. (617) 437-1010

For your woman A pink Red Sox cap or white Sox tank-top, both encrusted with rhinestones (about $50 each) “They’re encrusted with Swarovski crystals. And they’re pink.”

For your man A baseball signed by a Sox player like Ortiz, Beckett or Papelbon (about $200) “They’re easy to display. Any kind of memorabilia is good. Pats stuff would’ve been ideal, but not anymore.”

Randy Price, 24, shoe designer Bodega 6 Clearway St. (617) 421-1550

For your woman Low-top Nike Dunks, in pink with leopard print (about $58) “They’ve got an attractive pattern – pink and brown, the color of chocolate. And Dunk lows look awesome on girls.”

For your man Nike Air Structure Retro, with the same color combination as their original release: turquoise, pink, black, gray and white (about $105) “It’s not just about Valentine’s Day. They’ll put them on every day and think of you.”

Samuel Lansky, 19, manager-in-training Lush, Fresh Handmade Cosmetics 166 Newbury St. (617) 375-5874

For your woman “Nudge Nudge, Wink Wink” kit, including body glitter, Godiva shampoo and a massage bar with real cocoa inside (about $65) “It has all of our sexiest, most lascivious products. Definitely the best.”

For your man Overhaul kit, including shower gel and a Wiccy Magic Muscles massage bar that doubles as lotion (about $50) “For the manly man who doesn’t know he needs it. It has mellow, more masculine scents.”

Rosemary Hilliard, 21, manager Condom World 332 Newbury St. (617) 267-7233

For your woman The Layaspot vibrator, in black, red or turquoise (about $74) “They’re hypoallergenic and phthalate-free. It’s got seven speeds and three patterns of vibration – very versatile and powerful.”

For your man Njoy stainless steel anal plugs (about $90 for small, and about $104 for medium) “For all the reasons [women] like them for G-spot stimulation, [men] like them for prostate stimulation.”