Gentlemen – do you think of Valentine’s Day as an ideal opportunity to be romantic and treat your loved one to something special? Or do you consider it artificial and way too commercial? Whichever camp you belong to, ignore the occasion at your peril. If you end up sitting stubbornly at home watching TV, not only won’t you escape the Valentine’s Day message, you might feel somewhat deflated, as if you missed out. If that’s what you did last year and promised yourself that next time you will make more effort, then here are a few ideas to make this Valentine’s Day a success.
DON’T FORGET
It doesn’t matter how long you have been together or married, make the effort and it will get you into the good books. Use a reminder in your calendar or phone and kick into action a few days before. You don’t have to orchestrate a massive production lasting many hours and including rose petals everywhere, just make your loved one feel loved and cared for.
DON’T BUY KITCHEN APPLIANCES
Stay away from anything that requires work. No blenders, coffee machines, vacuum cleaners, not even if they cost a fortune. It doesn’t matter that she really, really wants one, those are gifts for another day.
BUY FLOWERS
Always buy flowers. Any flowers. If you want to rebel against tradition, then buy something other than red roses. There are plenty of other choices for bouquets that will say ‘I love you’ the moment she sees them. For the true iconoclasts, who says you can’t buy the flowers the day before?
BUY CHOCOLATES
Women often say, ‘No more chocolates’ but if you know she really loves them, then buy her a small box of really good quality (expensive) ones. Whether you go for a handmade selection from a specialist chocolatier or a small box from a popular brand, prior to Valentine’s Day you will be spoilt for choice.
MAKE IT PERSONAL
A handwritten note left in a key place, a beautiful card with a personalised message to your loved one will always delight. Why not go even further and have a pen engraved? Or where a light-hearted approach is needed, have a t-shirt or a mug personalised with a message of your choice. All small, inexpensive touches that will go a long way.
PUT YOUR LOVED ONE FIRST
Unless it is a shared passion, don’t let a football match ruin the moment, so record and watch it another day. For one night steer clear from things that annoy your loved one and put away the remote controls, phones and laptops, or whatever gadgets you use to escape from one world to another.
COOK A ROMANTIC DINNER
You don’t have to come up with a heart shaped culinary miracle, just create a little romance. Dim the lights, lay the table, light a candle and pour a glass of wine – it creates an atmosphere and sets the tone from the moment your loved one comes home.
UNDERWEAR
Now, unless you know exactly what she really likes, avoid buying her red underwear. It is one thing that she may have red underwear in her drawer – it may be her own wishful thinking or a past mistake she cannot part with. In any case, only buy underwear if you are sure what size and style she likes, and go for innocent white, pretty pink or intriguing black but beware – buying her underwear sends a message, intended or not, that you only have one thing on your mind.
If she’s struggling with stress at work or juggling looking after the kids with taking care of elderly parents, she may prefer a cup of tea and a hot meal to a night of passion. In that case, how about a silk pillow or pillowcase, or pretty silk nightwear?
BUY EXPERIENCE
Why not extend the Valentine’s Day experience with a gift that will take place later? Whilst you may be ecstatic going skydiving or driving a Porche 911, she might appreciate a spa day or a massage.
A note for singletons:
Valentine’s Day is no longer only for couples. Get your single friends together and go out for a meal, cinema or a fun night on town with whoever you want. Forget about the pressure, enjoy yourself and you never know, Cupid’s arrow may strike when you least expect it.