Come February and behold! It's the cheesiest time of the year. Pink and red heart-shaped merchandise begins flooding the stores, teddy bears are suddenly no longer desired just by cute little girls and somehow the chocolate makers manage to overcome all the sugar consciousness to drive sales through the roof. It is suddenly difficult to find reservations in any restaurant in town, and the prices become jaw dropping.
Personally, I find all this quite sickening. Nevertheless, I don't dislike the tradition of Valentine's day.I think it's just another opportunity to take time out from our busy lives and go out and enjoy life with the people we love. However I do believe there has got to be a way you can show your love and affection devoid of the aforementioned sickening ways. Here are some ideas that may suit most couples , families or groups of friends.
1. Take up a hobby or sport class:
Mix learning and pleasure. This gives you both something to pursue together, develop a shared interest, and all the while, also giving you an opportunity to enjoy each others company. Suggestions include photography, cooking, wine/beer making or a sport like tennis, rock-climbing or kayaking.
2. Take a picnic or go camping:
Shut off those laptops, switch off those phones, fall off the grid. Go back to a time when life was simpler and enjoy nature together. If one doesn't necessarily associate bugs and mosquito repellent with romance, there is always the option of luxury camping or the uber-cool idea of tree camping.. All the luxury of a five star with the feel and experience of woods. The combination can be fantastic. If one is really short of time or strapped for cash, a picnic/ camp set up in the backyard with some elegant lighting can still manage to make the romance come alive.
3. Cook him/her/them a wonderful 3 course meal:
This is not applicable to individuals who cook regularly. If you are the cook in the house today is your day to relax and be waited on, hand and foot. If you both don't usually cook, try creating the meal (and the magic) together. Wine, candles , smooth jazz and home movies can make this into a very special, yet a very low budget Valentine's Day
4. Relax and Rejuvenate:
Make an appointment at a fabulous spa for you and a loved one(s). Let the experts work your muscle tension into oblivion. If you are feeling the pinch, give each other massages.Enjoy a citrus bath or some green tea and feel completely refreshed. It should set a fabulous mood for the remainder of the day
5.Sacrifice/ make the big gesture :
Do you have some annoying habit that completely annoys your significant other? Is there a place where you have been meaning to take him/ her? Put in that extra bit of effort, go that extra mile, make it happen; make the big gesture/sacrifice. Sometimes these non materialistic gifts top everything else.
6. Find your adventure:
Quite literally! Go Para-sailing, wing-gliding, bungee jumping, sky diving or hot air ballooning. Any adventure sport that will get that adrenaline pumping and add to your rush. Do something this Valentine's day that you might probably do just once in your lifetime , but remember for the rest of your life.
7. Take a trip back in time:
Been married for a while and missing the magic of the early romance? Take a trip back in time and relive your first date. If the memory of it is not something you would like to reminisce about, go on a generic high school type of date and rekindle the magic. Pizza slices at midnight, bowling, insane wars with the X-box and not to mention the make-out session in the back seat of your car(or the couch, whichever is nearer), is bound to bring back the spark.
Hope you find these suggestions useful, and if all planning fails, make your loved ones feel special and tell them you love them as simply and as genuinely as you can.
Hope you have a fabulous Valentine's Day!
" All you need is love"
- The Beatles
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