Unless you're single. In which case, Valentines Day becomes an event of finding love, a sort of deadline that ends in success on Valentines Day, or ends in a bar on single person awareness day( February 14th either way).
But if you're not single and don't want to end up that way on February 15th, following some basic Do's and Dont's for Valentines Day can help you dazzle your date and protect you from embarrassment, shame, and scorn. Here's the top 5 mistakes and how to prevent them:
Don't procrastinate
Waiting until the last minute to plan your Valentines Day is the best way to show her that you don't care enough to think of her ahead of time. Last minute gifts are obvious: the smallest box of chocolates, a gift that is impersonal and not well thought out, wilting roses from the local convenience store, and being in a 2 hour waiting line for dinner tells her you didn't give the time of day to making sure she had a happy Valentines Day.Do Plan Ahead
Start considering her gift ahead of time. Think about her hobbies, likes, and interests. Personalized gifts such as rings and stuffed animals show you were thinking of her before February 13th. Get dinner reservations a month early if they can be made. If no reservations are available at your choice of restaurant, try to plan your day so you can show up between 2pm. and 5pm for dinner. Most restaurants will be slammed on Valentines Day, and between 5 and 9 will be the longest wait and "thinnest" service. If a candlelit dinner in your plans, buy the food a few days early so its thawed and pre-prepared for your romantic evening. Rent the movie early or purchase tickets to the show before they're sold out(they will be cheaper the earlier you buy). Having your days' plans made weeks in advance so all the details are right will make her remember that night for years to come.
The same old dozen roses, box of chocolates, and card combination is tried and true, but tried means expected. So does a dinner at home when you and the kids do that all the time. No surprises equals no "wow" factor. If you make Valentines just like every other day, candy and cardboard probably are not going to make her feel special.
Do be Creative and Original
Instead of just giving roses, give her and assortment of all her favorite flowers. Skip the heart shaped box of chocolate and make chocolate covered strawberries or another homemade chocolate dessert. The time you took to tantalize her sweet tooth will surely be appreciated. If you eat out often, change it up with a homemade candlelit dinner. If you eat at home with family alot, go somewhere you wouldn't take your kids for dinner. Go to a comedy club instead of the movies. Think out of the box, but within your budget for an original good time.
Don't Forget the Sitter
Many families treat Valentines day as a family holiday, like Christmas, where gifts are exchanged and the family does dinner together. While this is a wonderful tradition, it takes much of the romance out of the holiday. Don't wait for the week of Valentines Day to call your sitter; they'll be booked elsewhere or planning a date of their own.
Do have a backup plan
As before mentioned, your babysitter may suddenly be struck by the love bug in the days just prior to Valentines Day and suddenly become unavailable. Having a backup sitter is a handy thing to have, just in case.
Don't Blow the Rent
In an attempt to wow your Valentine, you may see fit to spent a little more than normal on a gift or go out to a higher end restaurant for dinner. Account for this early: waiting until the paycheck before Valentines Day to calculate the cost of Valentines Day will throw off a budget.
Do start saving early
Gift prices are the lowest right after a big sale such as an after Christmas special, and tickets for movies and shows are always cheaper the earlier you buy them. Start budgeting for these things right after New Years. If you're lucky, you'll get a tax refund soon after the holiday. But be prepared, a foreclosure is one thing that ruins the lasting ambiance of a recent magical evening.Don't Buy Unflattering Gifts
Getting your overweight girlfriend lingerie and Slim Fast is very unflattering and sends a not so lovey message on the day for love. Same as getting a heath nut a box of chocolate or a housewife a new vaccuum.
Do gift thoughtfully with desires, not needs
Knowing your partner can help you to pick out a thoughtful gift. Giving them something they've always wanted will "Wow" them, but as above mentioned, a housewife does not want to iron, do laundry, and clean with a gift. Get her something she wants for herself. Something that she does not need, not something to help clean up after you. Think about what makes her happy that is for her and her alone.
