Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Yes, the clock is ticking. The time to figure out a good meal is slipping away, with only a few days left to make those final arrangements. Would-be cupids need to remember one last detail — the chocolate.

Buying chocolate for a significant other isn’t all that uncommon for Valentine’s Day gifts. Some people prefer to get the hard candies that tell others to “call us” or “be ours.” My personal favorites are those that keep technology in mind: “e-mail me” and “IM me.” Nothing says “I love you” like an impersonal e-mail or an instant message.

Quality, gourmet chocolates are hard to come by on the Madison Isthmus. Not many retailers carry imported Belgian chocolates, either. Luckily, Twee & Luliloo on State Street opened in October to fill any void that a sweet tooth desires. The store carries a wholesome selection of candies, which grows with store-made chocolate-dipped strawberries and truffles.

At Twee & Luliloo, customers can purchase larger-than-normal chocolate truffles to show someone special how sweet they really are. Truffles are candies with hard chocolate on the outside and rich, soft chocolate or filling on the inside. The variety with hard layers of white, milk and dark chocolate on the outside and chewy, rich chocolaty filling on the inside are especially delicious.

Large turtles are also available. Twee & Luliloo’s turtles are made with pecans instead of cashews and are held together with chocolate and caramel. While considered a soft, smooth and sweet treat, these candies can get caught in teeth and are probably not the best idea for V-Day.

Selling small candies including tasteful raspberry truffles, Twee & Luliloo offers mint mysteres and hostess mints instead of traditional mint chocolate candies.

The mint mystere is made with dark chocolate on the outside and contains a creamy mint inside. Hostess mints are incredibly similar to Andes mints but are made with Belgian chocolate and mint stock.

Looking to steam things up over the holiday with some chocolate kinkiness? Get a jar of the chocolate body frosting. The directions on the label are easy to follow: Light candles to set the mood, open the jar, offer the paintbrush then announce that dessert is “on you.” Chocolate body frosting has imagination written all over it and is sure to please anyone’s kinky chocolate fantasies.

If someone on your V-Day list is not a fan of chocolate, giant lollipops are a great idea. Like Twee & Luliloo’s turtles and truffles, the lollipops are huge. Raspberry candies are tasty with a raspberry textured outside and creamy, gummy filling on the inside. Many romantic possibilities come to mind with these candies.

First opened by owners from Sacramento, Twee & Luliloo’s pink interior and brown shelves are stocked with all types of candy from wall to wall. Classic red heart boxes of assorted chocolates are available, but the staff will also help arrange original gifts in plastic bags with hearts or gold boxes. Roses will also be available Friday to complement candy arrangements.

Belgian chocolate appears to take up most of the store with the exception of barrels filled to their brims with toffees. The toffee barrels offer a wide selection of treats, including some black and white colored toffees with a cow-like pattern. Their reasonable price makes them a great gift idea if the pocketbook is a concern.

The staff members of Twee & Luliloo are incredibly helpful. Knowledgeable about almost any chocolate candy, one has to imagine them trying every treat in the store to be able to make their recommendations.

To ensure fresh candy for Valentine’s Day, place an order early with Twee & Luliloo and then pick it up on the big day.

Twee & Luliloo is located at 218 State St. For information or to place an order, call 608-251-4075.

Tom McGrath is a fifth-year senior majoring in journalism and mass communications, among other things. He sacrificed a weight gain of at least five pounds to write this article. Tom can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].