Once again, the tchotchke peddled in print, radio, and television leading up to Valentine's Day is overwhelmingly underwhelming and unoriginal. That's not surprising (but the idea that Walgreen's has personal gift advisers to help us navigate boxes of mass-produced chocolate and cheesy teddy bears is a bit silly).

Maybe it's because I'm a little weathered from economy watch and careful spending, but shopping for Valentine's Day seemed less than enjoyable -- more like an obligation that I couldn't find the inspiration for until I broke the self-imposed retail restraints of the past year.

I visited old haunts and some new shopping digs and came up with the concept of local love. The idea behind my Valentine's Day gift picks is sharing it -- with your most cherished ones, of course, but also with local artists, bakers and shops that keep creating, making and hopefully inspiring. I've narrowed my suggestions to a few, but if you visit any of these spots you'll find much, much more that would make perfectly sweet tokens of local love.

Alaska Cake Studio

601 W. Fourth Ave., 272-3995

The Alaska Cake Studio opened its doors recently, offering gourmet sweets for the downtown dwellers, strollers and shoppers. For Valentine's Day, the Cake Studio will be selling heart-shaped cakes covered in chocolate ganache ($9.25), as well as assorted fine chocolates, cupcakes and other desserts. Alaska Cake Studio is also offering creme brulee class on Valentine's Day ($79/person, includes dessert in dishes). Just call for more details.

Bella Boutique

2601 Spenard Road, 644-4989

Bella Boutique quickly emerged as one of my never-fail, always-find-the-perfect-gift spots about two years ago. It's hard to recommend just one jewelry line, so let's just say there's handcrafted bling for about any woman in your life -- and more.

Find Alaska Gadgetry's industrious-imaged earrings, belt buckles, money clips and cufflinks ($20-$42). These items are funky, but totally functional -- good for the gadget-minded folks among us.

In the same vein as the other hip Alaska-themed clothing on the list, Bella has Scissor Kick gear ($30-$55), which is all about celebrating your love for the Last Frontier. These hoodies and T-shirts boast the signature "AK Map" image you can make with your fist -- index finger and thumb representing the Aleutians and the Southeast Alaska respectively.

Dos Manos

1317 W. Northern Lights Blvd., Suite 3, 569-6800

Hours can easily be lost inside Dos Manos circling the spiral staircase and discovering the lovable loot tucked into each nook and cranny.

Locally made, Lance Lekander's monster dolls ($45-$60) are plush, cuddly, and each one has its own original personality -- much cooler and keep-worthy than the stuffed critters you're going to get anywhere else.

Check out the expanded offerings of Screamin' Yeti Designs T-shirts and hoodies ($25-$50). Anchorage fell in love with the "Get High on the Chugach" gear a few years go. Add the P-Town (for the Palmer lovers out there) and Spenard looks and now you can rep even more of your favorite Alaska locations.

Fiddlehead Gallery

416 G Street, 258-3376

A newer downtown gallery, Fiddlehead is chock full of funky Alaska-made finds including art, jewelry and wears.

It's the only shop in town where you can find the Kallie Wristers for kids by Teal Torch Knits ($22). The wristers are equal parts hip and cute-as-a-button. Perfect for your little hipster.

Could there be a better gift that will help spread local love than Alaska Love gear by Laughter ($24-48), a locally based company? The clothing is all comfy and casual (American Apparel hoodies, T-shirts, tanks and onesies), and the signature Big Dipper-by-hearts logo is one of those cool Alaska-inspired designs locals just love to wear.

Sugarspoon

2601 Spenard Road, 337-9338

Sugarspoon, the sweet-treat spot in Spenard, is priming to be a one-stop shop for all your Valentine's Day needs this weekend. Offerings will include red velvet cupcakes ($2.50 each, $25 for a dozen), passion fruit truffles rolled in coconut (box of about eight for $9), hand-dipped peppermint patties (six for $9), heart-shaped brownies in double chocolate or mocha walnut flavor ($5), heart-shaped raspberry cheesecakes and heart-shaped flourless chocolate cakes in chocolate almond and chocolate raspberry flavors ($8 for each, the perfect size for two to share). Anchorage Floral will deliver bunches of roses, tulips and single roses to the sweets shop on Friday morning for purchase. Seal the deal with one of Sugarspoon's handmade Valentine's Day card, and you're set.