Sweet tooth satisfaction is virtually guaranteed at this Houston mainstay brimming with fun finds for the ultimate create-your-own chocolate coma. White, milk, and dark chocolate covered pretzels, brownie cups, Oreos, and more overflow festive baskets perfect for perusing at price points every cash-conscious Cupid can appreciate: $1.95 ‘Valentine Lollis’ share space with bags of $5.95 Oreos, $3.95 ‘Pretzel Love Knots,’ and $2.95 ‘Presents.’

Gift boxes featuring 4, 9, 16, or 32 pieces make shopping easy and luscious jumbo chocolate covered strawberries ($12.95 for a box of 8 including 4 milk, 2 dark, and 2 white) lend a fresh and tasteful counterbalance to the overload of sweet. Just can’t decide? Send a bouquet of chocolate rosebuds, sit back, and watch the love bloom.

[Photo: Ellie Sharp]

This gorgeous European boutique-inspired chocolatier in the heart of Rice Village features 18 feet of exquisite Belgian and French chocolates thus setting the stage for swoon-worthy swag no chocoholic can resist. Curate your own fancy collection or choose from ribbon-bedecked boxes of tried and true selections like the Manon Café (coffee-flavored buttercream and praline topped with a hazelnut and enrobed in white, milk, or dark chocolate) or the Violetta (dark chocolate ganache infused with violets) from Neuhaus, Leonidas, Michel Cluizel, and other prestigious brands.

Hand dipped organic strawberries prepared in house along with chocolate dipped caramel apples mean you don’t have to stop at bite-sized indulgences. Homemade fudge and Belgian hot chocolate round out the sweet, sweet deals. (Note, pre-order is required for the strawberries and apples so plan ahead!)

[Photo: Ellie Sharp]

Loved tipped arrows have cast their spells at Araya where husband and wife team Stefano Zullian & Carla Susi, and sister Silvana Susi’s scrumptious delights await every devoted Cupid’s helper. Chocolate covered Oreos, heavy dark chocolate hearts filled with rich ganache, and lollipop-style milk, dark, and white chocolate hearts perfect for are gifting to any aged cherub, whereas more adventurous love potions include the limited-time offerings Strawberry Champagne and Cherry Cognac chocolates.

Regular favorites also include Strawberry Balsamic, Acai Pomegranate, Cinnamon and Walnuts, Raspberry, Venezuela 70%, Venezuela 41%, Bourbon, and Cherry and Pink Salt in beautifully composed Valentine’s Day gift boxes – or combine those of your own choosing. Nuts, fruits, truffles, bars, and fresh-from-France macarons increase the fabulous factor with flavors like Cayenne Pepper & Pecan, Orangettes (chocolate covered orange peel), Rose Water, and Pistachio.

[Photo: Ellie Sharp]

True love incorporates passion, respect, and dedication, which is exactly what owners Scott Moore & Michelle Holland bring to their relationship with each other, their chocolates, and the farmers with whom they work. Distinguished as the first bean-to-bar craft artisan chocolate maker in Texas, Tejas Chocolate sources single origin direct trade cacao beans from countries including Belize, Dominican Republic, Bolivia, and Ecuador to develop strikingly rich, flavorful chocolate bars with stunningly simple contents (most contain a mere 2-3 ingredients).

Visit their creative space in Spring to purchase bars firsthand, buy it online, or load up at Central Market, Whole Foods (Post Oak location), Spec’s in Midtown, or Boomtown Coffee. Speaking of coffee, don’t miss out on the Buck Shot bar from District Roasters, the socially conscious single origin coffee company that shares space with Tejas. This addictive offering blends Tejas’ chocolate with District Roasters’ signature Burundi coffee resulting in a bar that tastes like a chocolate covered espresso bean sans the crunchy grit. Need another reason? Sales from this chocolate bar support an orphanage in Burundi. Now that’s sweet.

[Photo: Ellie Sharp]