Make Valentine's Day Special This Year

It’s already February and you know what that means . . .  Valentine’s Day!

For guys . . . it’s the most difficult time of the year.  We rack our brains asking, “What will I get her?  Can I give her another dozen roses for the sixth year in a row?”

To make this Valentine’s Day stand out from the rest, let me
offer some advice. (Women . . . feel free to share today’s blog with your loved one).

•Avoid buying a gift at the last minute. Let me warn you . . . if you wait the night before to figure out what you’ll get her, you’re asking for trouble.

A recent study proves when the gift-giving deadline approaches, our perspective shifts from gifts with positive outcomes -- something that will knock your sweetheart off her feet -- to gifts that will simply help avoid a fight.

By giving yourself enough time, you’ll be able to invest the time you need to make this gift special.

•Take notice of what your significant other likes.  When you buy a gift, be sure she’s the one you’re trying to please. Perhaps she likes those classy little diamond earrings but you’re all jazzed about the long dangling earrings.  Choose the ones she prefers.

A box of chocolates, a dozen roses and a romantic dinner at an expensive restaurant are Valentine’s Day staples. If you really want to make an impression, choose a gift of significance to her.

How about a handwritten letter describing every characteristic that you love about your significant other?  I guarantee that handwritten letter will be saved in a nightstand long after the next guy’s roses have wilted. 

•Go overboard with romance.  Romance is as easy as opening car doors, pulling out chairs, and holding doors for her.  Here are some more challenging suggestions:

1. Love at daybreak. 
While she's still curled up in bed on Valentine’s Day morning, prepare a continental breakfast in bed -- coffee, orange juice, toasted bagel with cream cheese, and a fruit cup.  Serve it with a smile and don’t breathe a word about the mess you left in the kitchen. 

2. Play chef for one night.  Why not roll up your sleeves and make dinner for your Valentine?   If you can’t figure out what to make her, here are several free recipe websites such as Allrecipes.com, Epicurious and Recipe Source.  Some of these sites offer short videos that take you through the preparation and cooking process. I’m already thinking about making a Spinach Lasagna.

3. Movie night at ... home.
 Pick up a newly-released movie or her favorite oldie chick-flick. That even means suffering through Sleepless in Seattle! You pop the corn, fix the sodas, puff-up the sofa pillows and bring out the warm, fuzzy blanket.

4. A romantic stroll. You can take a walk through a favorite park or with no particular destination in mind.   Think in terms of stroll, chat, window shop, stroll, chat . . . set at a slow pace. Treat her to a coffee, hot chocolate or other favorite drink. Remember to hold her hand!

5. Foot massage.  Okay, here's the routine: soak her feet in hot water with scented salts, scrub her heels with a pumice stone and then dry them with a fluffy towel. Wait, there's more -- you need to finish by massaging her feet with a scented lotion.

Okay guys . . . you know what to do.  Now go out and do it! I’m right behind you.

John
Email John: johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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