1. Do NOT “phone it in.”
For better or worse, Valentine's Day comes with expectations. You're expected to do something. So, no matter what you do, do it RIGHT. This is not a night when you can get away with resting on your laurels. If you're going out, make it a night to remember. If you're staying in, plan to impress. If you're going to cook, have a backup plan. If you're going to order in…have a backup plan. And make it a good one.
2. Do NOT get “caught up at work.”
There will be no forgiveness for this faux pas. Go out of your way to schedule meetings for early in the day. If you have a big project in the works, plan to stay late on the 13th to get ahead if need be. The only reasonable excuse for getting "caught up at work" tonight is just that — using it as an excuse to plan and execute some sort of surprise. And even then, if you're going that route, you're walking a risky line. The surprise better be stellar because you're already starting off in the dog house.
3. Do NOT buy flowers.
Yep, we get it. Every ad campaign and dating ritual ingrained from your (insert your age here) years is telling you to run out and buy flowers. Don't do it. Speak candidly with any horticulturalist or florist and they'll let you in on a little secret: the two worst days of the year to buy flowers are Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.
Everyone is buying flowers on those days. Florists jack up their prices, and on the big V-Day, you're just another in the stack of orders for one dozen reds. You won't get the same level of care or the same quality flowers that you do on most other days of the year. So find some other slowly wilting token of your affections.
4. Do NOT make reservations at the hottest restaurant in town.
In fact, if you really want to play V-Day like a pro, do NOT make reservations anywhere. (No, we're not encouraging you to try and score a last minute, unclaimed table.) Just don't go out. You've got 364 other nights of the year to try the tasting menu at Chez Whatever. Take advantage of any one of them.
5. Do NOT forget a card/gift/acknowledgement of some sort.
You don't have a to go all-out. There doesn't need to be a Tiffany's box (or any other) filled with something sparkly. It doesn't have to be expensive — or even something that you purchased from a store. But whatever you do, and no matter what agreements you've come to about exchanging trinkets, do NOT attempt to survive the big V without some token of your affections.
Tie a string around her finger. Read a poem. Frame your favorite photo of the two of you. Make your own card. Whatever you do, do NOT show up empty-handed. (And guys, remember, lingerie is NOT a gift for her.)
6. Do NOT buy candy or chocolates.
You're barely a month past New Year's Eve. Your resolutions are still in full swing. Do you really think that you two aren't going to down the entire box of chocolates just to see what you're gonna get? The momentary pleasure derived from said box of chocolates will not outweigh the inevitable guilt and despair, no matter how many caramel centers you find.
7. Do NOT forget to cover your bases.
Do you have kids? How about a sitter for them?
Going out? Did you remember a reservation?
Planning to order in? Do it in advance.
Are you cooking? How about a trial run? And groceries?
Want to pop some bubbly? Make sure you chill it first.
You might get away with a catch-as-catch-can plan of action for most other date nights throughout the year, but tonight is a night to have your bases covered and to make sure that everything is carefully planned in advance.
8. Do NOT forget to make sure that your suit/LBD fits (and is clean).
If you're anything like us, then you may not have to wear a suit to work every day. That means you probably have one or two in your closet and they probably get worn a couple of times each year. Take a moment a couples of weeks out (that's NOW!) to try it on and make sure it doesn't need to be altered, cleaned, etc. Make sure you have a clean shirt and tie as well.
Ladies, same goes for you. Make sure your little black dress is clean and presentable. Take a moment to plan your outfit in advance so that you don't have any last-minute decisions to worry over.
9. Do NOT feel obligated to celebrate on the 14th.
Yep, there's a lot of "do this, don't do that" going on here. Most of these recommendations are intended to help you avoid the inevitable onslaught of other Valentiners who will be rushing out to have the night of their lives. (And remember, the big V is on a Friday this year, which will only make things crazier.)
But, there is another way around all of the issues: don't celebrate on the 14th. Stake a claim to your own date night (preferably in close proximity to the actual day) so that you can avoid the crowds and truly enjoy yourselves. Might we suggest the 13th so that you can finish your night out on Valentine's Day?
10. Do NOT forget: if you’re going to ignore all of the above advice, do so with gusto and flair.
You're also more than welcome to ignore all of points 1-9. We respect that decision. It's bold. It's daring. And if you're going to go the traditional "we like to celebrate Valentine's Day on Valentine's Day" approach, we highly recommend that you do so with gusto and with flair.
Embrace every stereotype to the extreme. Why settle for one dozen roses when 10 is better? Why settle for a cab when you could ride in style in a limo? Why choose between milk and dark chocolates when you could get both? Show her a night that she'll truly never forget.
Need help? Take a cue from our friends Gary & Kirsten who, to this day, claim a Valentine's Day as one of their best date nights ever.
Share This Article
