It's three more days for the official Valentine's Day, but celebrations have already kickstarted in many parts of the world.

Red roses, the universal symbol of love, are still the number one choice for those who choose flowers for their Valentine's Day gifting.

However seasonal flowers such as lilies, daisies and tulips are also making their entry in the market as an alternative to rose buds.

It is also that time of the year when a flower farmer's face lights up with smile. Columbia is one country which exports 450 million flowers for the Valentine's Day.

A Columbian flower farmer makes 12 per cent of his annual income on Valentine's Day itself.

In many European countries, the unusually cold weather has adversely impacted the availability of the locally grown rose buds.

Take a look at the Valentine's Day preparations in some parts of the world:

Valentine039s Day 2012
A diver dressed to look like Poseidon (L), kisses another dressed as the mermaid Marina, during a Valentine's day event inside an aquarium at the ocean park in Manila February 11, 2012. Reuters
Valentine039s Day 2012
A diver dressed to look like Poseidon, and another dressed as the mermaid Marina, swims during a Valentine's day event inside an aquarium at the ocean park in Manila. Reuters
Valentine039s Day 2012
A child looks at Xiaobai and XiaoXue, a couple of Humboldt Penguins, during a penguins wedding ceremony ahead of Valentine's Day and organized by the local aquarim in Shanghai. Reuters
Valentine039s Day 2012
A worker prepares roses for the upcoming Valentine's Day, at Elite greenhouse, Facatativa, Columbia on February 6, 2012. Reuters
Valentine039s Day 2012
Workers organize bunches of flowers in preparation for the upcoming Valentine's Day, at Elite greenhouse in Facatativa, Columbia on 06/02/2012. Reuters
Valentine039s Day 2012
Over 50 wedding dresses dating from 1900, along with photographs of the couples and copies of their marriage certificates are exhibited to promote a collective marriage event organized by Chihuahua State's goverment on Valentine's Day, February 14. Reuters
Valentine039s Day 2012
Workers prepare rose bouquets in preparation for the upcoming Valentine's Day, at a farm in Cajica, Columbia on January 30, 2012 Reuters
Valentine039s Day 2012
A worker carries flower bunches in preparation for the upcoming Valentine's Day, at Elite greenhouse in Facatativa February 6, 2012. Reuters
Valentine039s Day 2012
Freshly picked roses, intended for sale for Valentine's Day, are seen before being sorted at a packing house on Moshav Nir Banim near Kiryat Gat, Israel on February 9, 2012. Reuters