Flowers, candlelight and music are the top three romantic elements, a poll completed by the American Heart Association says, and Eastern students seem to agree.

“My favorite gift for Valentine’s Day is definitely roses, because they are beautiful and you know that the guy took the time to place the order and have them delivered,” Desiree Collado, a junior family consumer sciences major, said. “Just getting something sent to your room makes you feel good, it is a very nice thing to do.” Franda Newkirk, owner of Noble Flower Shop in Charleston, said after 20 years of seeing the Valentine’s Day holiday, a dozen red roses remain the most popular gift, leaving colored roses and a mixed bouquet as the second most popular.

“We go through about 3,000 roses usually every year,” Newkirk said.

Newkirk explained if Valentine’s Day is during the week they get more business because people have work and are out of town; so flowers are more in demand.

But, she said if Valentine’s Day falls during a weekend, people usually do other activities together.

Jeff Junkins, assistant manager at Charleston’s Wal-Mart, said the store is plenty in stock of little plush stuffed animals, boxed heart chocolates and basic Valentine’s candy.

Chandi Daugherty, a sophomore family consumer sciences major, said the perfect date for this Valentine’s Day would be going to a restaurant with dim light or candlelight.

“It just depends on how long you’ve been dating someone, but the perfect gift would be throughout the day, to get a single red rose everywhere you go and by the end of the day, you will be left with a dozen roses,” she said.

“The ultimate gift for me would be something unique dealing with the relationship, depending on how well you knew each other,” Daugherty said. “You could re-enact your first date together and make it even more romantic or burn a CD with all of your favorite songs.”

Shannon Lawrence, a sophomore elementary education major, said, “the worst thing that could happen is if you get someone a gift, and they don’t get anything for you.”

Last year, she said, “I went to Red Lobster and got a locket with a picture in it from my boyfriend. This year we plan to spend it more economically by having a movie night together.”

The American Heart Association’s poll said men and women agree that dinner at a restaurant is the most romantic activity, even beating out a vacation getaway or dancing.

An evening at home or a movie also ranked high on the list.

The poll also says Americans pick health over love, money and fame.

More than half of all people polled felt health was more important than love (39 percent), money (7 percent) or fame (1 percent).

And six out of 10 of those surveyed believed strongly that relationships affect their overall health. However, only about two people out of 10 felt taking care of their loved one’s health or their own health was the best way to show caring toward a loved one.