Fancy restaurants book up a month ahead of time. The Black Friday vibe at bakeries and chocolatiers sucks the love out of the air. Hotels and getaways take careful planning. And if you’re single, sometimes you just want to be distracted.

So here we are, one day before love’s big day, and maybe you’ve yet to figure things out. Don’t trip. I’ve mastered last-minute plans for Valentine’s Day.

It’s my thing. It started six years ago when everyone else was on dates except me and a friend. After one quick call, we decided on Dave & Buster’s arcade at The Legends. No candy, no flowers. We were careful to make it an anti-date. We even drove separate cars.

I had only one request. He had to help me win a prize. You’re not doing Dave & Buster’s right if you don’t leave with a giant stuffed animal or something.

Skee-Ball, Pop-a-Shot and Jumping Jackpot (seriously, try this game, it’s virtual jump rope and fun to play, even funnier to watch) earned us enough tickets to snag a Care Bear.

Best Valentine’s Day ever, because there was no pressure. And these days I call that friend my husband.

Valentine’s Day is something we have fun with, often making plans the week of. And my Care Bear collection has grown. So hanging out at the arcade may not be traditionally lovey-dovey, but it’s a good time. DaveAndBusters.com

Other last-minute ideas:

Pizza, pizza

Everyone on romantic autopilot has already filled up the fine-dining spots. If you forgot to make reservations, pizza is always an option. Did I mention Jay Z and Beyonce often go on pizza dates?

I’m not talking about any old pizza joint. Kansas City has a ton of great places, like Spin!, Stone Canyon, the Dish and Coal Vines. Carry-out is an option, too. Just go for the Minsky’s heart-shaped pizza ($15.67 for a medium with two toppings) and a good movie: Try “Love Jones.” Minskys.com

But for me, the clear choice for a pizza valentine is Pizzabella, the wood-fired pizza with an artisan attitude. The toppings include leek, chorizo, arugula and prosciutto. The appetizers are a must, too. Everyone raves about the roasted Brussels sprouts, but I am about those wood-fired mussels and a cocktail — the Special Lady Friend (a White Russian remix featuring Little Freshie root beer syrup) looks like a winner.

There are two locations: 1810 Baltimore downtown and the new restaurant at Mission Farms, 4000 Indian Creek Parkway in Overland Park.PizzaBellaKC.com

Fuzzy navels

Don’t let the bustling birthday parties and big gangs of kids at Build-A-Bear Workshop scare you. It can be romantic, too. Come on, guys, it’s a store where you make your own cuddle buddy. It has long been a Valentine’s Day standard to give bears and chocolate, but building one? That replaces the cliche with the cute and sentimental.

You can make a bear (or My Little Pony, SpongeBob, the choices are endless) together or make your own. I like seeing what each person comes up with.

Here’s how it works for newbies: You pick out a stuffed animal and a heart. You can even give your bear a voice (not my thing, but it leaves room for a rom-com-worthy moment). And you’re in charge of stuffing your new friend, too. Step on the gas for the stuffing machine and make your bear perfectly hugable. Next comes the fluffing and naming.

You even get to create a birth certificate for your masterpiece, making it that much more memorable. And yes, there are outfits. While I like the roller skates and cutesy bows, there are NBA, MLB and NFL uniforms to choose from, too. My pick is easy: Hello Kitty. An 18-inch plush kitty starts at $23, outfits start at $10.50.

And lucky for us, there are locations in Oak Park Mall, Zona Rosa and Independence Center. BuildABear.com

A funny valentine

Movies are a timeless idea, for dates and non-dates alike. Especially if you go to a theater that serves food and adult beverages. “About Last Night,” starring Kevin Hart and Regina Hall, is at the top of my list, because I prefer laughter to tear-inducing love stories, but if you like the latter, “Winter’s Tale” and “Endless Love” are out on Friday, too. (See the full list of Friday’s new movies on Page 24.)

Or, if you haven’t seen it yet, go to “The Lego Movie.” It’s not just for kids.

As for theaters, I would pick my seats and buy tickets at the Alamo Drafthouse downtown, because the burgers are great and the milkshakes are better. There are also V-Day showings of “Casablanca” and “Pretty Woman.”Drafthouse.com

But Screenland Armour in North Kansas City and its delicious fried green beans are always an option. It has two special screenings of its own: “The Princess Bride” and “Bride of Frankenstein.” Screenland.com

If you’re wanting eye contact with your crush, at Standees in Prairie Village, you can have the traditional dinner date and flirt all you want in the restaurant, then head over to the in-house theater. The bar is sexy, and the drink menu is stacked. Hello, Ultimate Chocolate Martini ($6.50).

A $60 Valentine’s weekend package for two gets you dinner, a movie, dessert and popcorn. StandeesEatery.com

Strike it real good

Bowling may not seem like your fantasy Valentine’s Day date, but Z Strike in the Power & Light District puts a little sexy on the game.

You don’t just get your own lanes, you get your own lounge. The couches and table upgrade the experience. The music, ranging from Michael Jackson’s “PYT” to Kelly Clarkson’s “Since You’ve Been Gone,” is dance-happy dirty pop. And the screen doesn’t just keep score, it also tells you how fast your ball moves.

Don’t rush it. Slow and steady wins the race. My 7 mph ball earned enough strikes for the win. Bowling is the kind of thing you can do with your friends or with a crush. I say play one round while you wait for your food (the chicken and waffles are a win), eat and play again.

Oh, don’t forget the drinks. Ask for Crystal; she’s a super waitress with the skinny on all the cocktails. Can you say 50 Shades of Grey Goose? It’s a short glass of delicious: Grey Goose Cherry Noir, Cointreau, lime juice and cranberry. And it will get you where you want to be a lot faster than the trilogy. Just saying.

Z Strike, 1370 Grand Blvd., is open on Valentine’s Day from 11:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. It’s $4.95 until 8 p.m., $5.95 after that, plus a $10 cover after 10 p.m. Shoe rental is $3.95. Z-Strike.com

Put a rink on it

You don’t need reservations to get a pair of skates and circle around with your crush. Ice or wheels — the choice is yours, really. The fun thing about skating is it takes the pressure off of trying to be overly romantic.

When you’re trying to make sure you don’t fall, no one is concerned with heavy conversation or grand gestures. It’s about having fun and not taking yourself too seriously. It’s a great idea for a new crush or a group date.

On ice, you have the added experience of being outdoors and bundled up. The likelihood of some hand holding is increased. You can go traditional and head over to the Crown Center Ice Terrace or you can go to the Ice at Park Place in Leawood. Either way, we’re talking about photo ops galore. And don’t let the cold weather ruin your kiss. Bring your ChapStick.

On wheels, there’s always Winwood Skate Center, 4426 N.E. Winn Road. The rink hosts a weekly TGIF party from 7:30 to 11 p.m., and you’re bound to see some professional skaters, too. $8 cover. WinnwoodSK8.com

For something a little more adventurous, Skate City (locations in Merriam, Overland Park and KCK) is having a Valentine’s Day party, “Stop Light Skate,” from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. $15 to get in, $2 for skates. Wear green if you are single, wear red if you are taken and yellow if you aren’t sure. Dear single and looking, skate away from the yellows. It’s complicated.SkateCityKansas.com