Valentine victories

It’s OK, guys, really. Sure, Valentine’s Day is all mushy and smoochy, but that’s not such a bad thing.

I mean, you went to so much trouble (or you are going to so much trouble) to woo your gal, you must have realized at some time that true love is worth extra effort, right?

This, then, is your early warning to put a little thought into this Valentine’s Day in order to make it something special. Additionally, you can manufacture a memorable day at a price you can afford. (One note: Although this is written to the guys out there, it can be applied to either gender.)

To begin with, let’s set aside three roadblocks. First is that Valentine’s Day has its roots in ancient pagan festivals. Sure, but that doesn’t mean we honor those customs today by expressing our love. Second is the uncertainty of St. Valentine, just who he was and what he did to earn sainthood and how that ties into today’s observances. Again, those story lines do not have to be clear in order for you to dedicate a day to your sweetheart. Lastly and more timely is the feeling Valentine’s Day is foisted upon us by card manufacturers, candy makers and florists. Well, maybe, but you remain in control.

The easy way out is to simply pop for some candy or flowers at the grocery store. While that’s not a bad thing, it’s obviously the easy way out. If that’s all the romance you’re capable of mustering, your sweetheart probably knows that already and loves you anyway. However, if that’s the case, then just a little bit of effort can bowl her over.

If you’re locked in to the candy and/or flowers angle (and that might be what she appreciates most, you should know), consider some sort of specialty chocolates or spend a few more bucks and get a genuine flower arrangement instead of something off the shelf.

Outside the box

However, the purpose of this article is to encourage originality. The problem with being original is nobody can tell you how to do it. One tip, you certainly don’t ask, “Well, what do ya want for Valentine’s Day?”

The key is to know what she likes and to play off that with something she in no way expects.

Does she love going to the movies, theater or opera but never asks because she knows you don’t like it? Her not asking has been an ongoing gift to you, so you can reward her with tickets.

The catch, though, is you go with her and ... most difficult of all ... you do so without moaning or cutting down the event. You don’t have to lie or pretend to like it, just keep quiet about it and, if she presses you with, “What did you think of the show,” simply reply with something like, “I love you and that made the show just fine.”

Spending large sums of money is not required. Think about the things around the house she most would like done. That might mean putting up a towel bar or replacing a missing strip of molding. It could mean taking care of her normal household chores for the weekend. Maybe it’s taking the kids to the museum, park and movie, giving her a day alone in the house.

Think. Think from her perspective. You can come up with something that will leave her astounded by your love and creativity.

To help ensure success, start now. You know how your are (assuming you’re anything like me) and you’ll wait until the last minute. That means, you’ll end up in the grocery store Friday night, combing through the candy shelf for a selection of chocolate bars and choosing between the leftover flowers, crushed as they may be.

It takes some effort, but she’s worth it. Besides, never forget, actuarially speaking, there’s a good chance she will eventually choose which nursing home you’ll move into. 

Links:
Ten creative Valentine's gift ideas
Think out of the box and surprise your loved one
Creative Valentine ideas


Online bonuses:
(1) My best Valentine's gift to my wife started when she delivered our daughter to my mother-in-law for the day ... or so she thought. There, she was surprised with a stack of sealed envelopes and instructed to open the first and follow directions. A note in each envelope led her to a different store in town, each where they were expecting her to pick up a purchase I had previously made for her. Near the end, I included a quarter with instructions to call me (before cell phones, of course) for a code to decypher the final message. That sent her to the mall where the cash in the last envelope provided shopping money. Neighbors carried me and bags I had packed to the mall, where she had dutifully parked the car where I told her, and I moved the car to the other side of the mall and waited for her in the food court. She was thrilled, of course, but soon found out I was not taking her home but to a hotel in the city where we had reservations for a play that night. And to be honest, I think I had as much fun as she did, but I've never approached that level again.

(2) Now, click the comment button and add your favorite Valentine story.