Valentine’s Day will be here in just a couple of weeks…
Do you have plans? Cards, chocolates, dinner date, flowers…
Ho-hum.
Don’t get me wrong – these are all great things, and there is nothing wrong with them! But why not break out of the usual Valentine’s Day activities and EXPAND, as suggested by Lisa M. Maloney on sheknows.com.
Let’s break out the different components of a traditional Valentine’s Day and see how you can still keep part of that tradition but maybe bring it up a notch. (Since it falls on a Thursday this year, some of this may need to wait for the weekend…)
CARDS
Cards are EXPECTED for your Valentine, and if you are crafty, why not take time to make your own card. The queen of DIY Martha Stewart has several suggestions with instructions at http://www.marthastewart.com/274260/valentines-day-cards/@center/276974/card-making-center .
To make the card extra-special (and extend the romance), why not include a gift card for a couple’s massage inside? Or a spa day for two? Chances are there are several spa’s close by, and most have special offerings for occasions like Valentine’s Day!
CHOCOLATE
Chocolate is one of the most important parts of V-Day, and I personally don’t think that should EVER change! But it doesn’t have to be a box of chocolates – why not a big mug of hot chocolate? I remember getting cold and wet on a hike once where clouds rolled in suddenly and we couldn’t see much at all. Ended up in the lodge with Hot Chocolate (spiked slightly!) and that made the whole day AWESOME.
You could have a similar experience (not necessarily the cold and wet part!) by going on a winter hike, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, then topping it off with hot chocolate at the lodge. Or bring a thermos and some warm blankets and drink your hot chocolate out in nature!
DINNER DATE
Romantic dinner is often part of V-Day, but why not make it extra-special by making it yourself, together? My husband and I LOVE cooking together, makes it a lot more fun.
Or, try something totally different for your “date.” Take an exercise class together – nothing like getting hot and sweaty together!
Try picking something neither of you has done before, and even if it is something not offered on Valentine’s Day because of the season, book a reservation when the weather is more appropriate – parasailing, skydiving, hot air balloon ride, helicopter ride, etc.
FLOWERS
Flowers? Yes, the are beautiful – I LOVE flowers! But consider a plant rather than flowers that you can keep for MUCH longer, or buy a tree and plant it in your yard as a symbol of your love. You could even do that every year, and you could end up with the beginnings of a nice forest!
What are YOUR Valentine’s Day plans?
