Valentine’s Day is here — lovers are celebrating with presents, flowers and romantic dinners — so businesses have to be more than ready to meet the demands.

“Valentine’s Day is the biggest fresh-flower-giving day of the year,” says Daniel Brabec, owner of Coe’s Floral and Gifts, 2619 Northridge Parkway. “Our normal staff on a day-to-day basis is three to four employees, but Valentine’s Day will call for 20.”

Because Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday, Brabec says he will also have increased staff on Saturday and Sunday in order to be prepared, and although this calls for increased hours, he says it is a prerequisite for working at a flower shop.

“As a florist, you just kind of accept it and celebrate Valentine’s Day on a different day,” says Shana Streeter, Coe’s employee.

The entire place is brimming with flowers, and Brabec says although roses are the most popular, less traditional people opt for exotic bouquets of tropical flowers. In preparation, the garage of Coe’s is full of vases waiting to be filled with different arrangements, and the walk-in coolers are overflowing with pink, red and white blossoms.

Post office workers are also experiencing a colorful surprise, as well as a heavy workload.

“The packages that come in around the holiday offer a splash of color,” says David Massarini, postmaster for the Ames Post Office, 525 Kellogg Ave. “It really is colorful — love is in the air.”

Robert Mason, Ames Post Office supervisor of customer services, says his favorites are the talking cards that go off while sorting the mail.

“If it’s out there, people mail it,” he says.

On Monday, not only will more mail trucks be on route, but carriers will also double up to get packages quickly delivered, Massarini says. Generally 10,000 to 12,000 parcels come in each week, but Massarini estimates the week surrounding Valentine’s Day will bring in about 14,000 to 15,000.

“The Christmas mail is spread out over a longer period of time,” Massarini says. “But Valentine’s Day is more intense and condensed.”

In the restaurant business, Valentine’s Day is often the epitome of intensity, says Terry Lowman, co-owner of Lucullan’s Restaurant, 400 Main St.

“It’s my busiest day of the year,” he says.

Lowman says he will have three to four times more people working Valentine’s Day than on a normal Monday, and although it is hard to make his staff work on a holiday, it is absolutely necessary in order for the night to run smoothly.

Even the menu has been cut down to the house specialties in order to ensure quick service.

“If you try to offer everything, service will be slow,” Lowman says.

Despite being a busy day, it seems Cupid has been busy spreading the Valentine’s Day spirit.

“There’s a certain sense of satisfaction in bringing someone their Valentine’s Day gift,” says Mason.

Massarini agrees and says, “People light up when you deliver their parcels, especially during this holiday.”

Lowman likes the holiday because of its flexible nature especially compared to Christmas.

“I like Valentine’s Day, especially after Christmas,” he says. “It’s about what you choose to do — there’s no requirements. You can stick to who you are and where your pocket is.”

One would think business owners would loathe the holiday because of all the extra work involved, but most seem to embrace it for more than just the boost in sales. They all seem to enjoy putting smiles on people’s faces and seeing their customers happy.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Brabec says.