Some people roll their eyes and shrug with disinterest, some grimace at the thought of getting through the day, and others bubble with joy at the prospect that they will get lucky. Yet others groan—either due to disgust of the celebration or due to the fact that they have not figured out what to get their significant other yet. In any case, Valentine’s Day has come, and you either run for cover or embrace the sickeningly warm and fuzzy feelings that it encompasses.
So what happens on this marvelous—or horrendous, depending on where you stand—day? Quite a number of traditions take place where gifts are exchanged and the expression “love is in the air” becomes the phrase of the day. Most of the time, these customs end up with the girl expecting the guy to do something for her. Here are a few things that you might want to do on Valentine’s Day (it might even help if you’re stumped and don’t know what to get for your own special someone):
Flowers: A bouquet of flowers personally delivered to a loved one’s doorstep is always a good step to take in the right direction. The act of giving certain flowers has been a practice in certain occasions; Valentine’s Day is no exception to this. Certain types of flowers, their colors, and the amount of flowers used even symbolize different meanings, some more universal than others. For example, sending three red roses is completely different from sending 13 or 108. In fact, the sender might get a scolding if his loved one knew exactly what 13 red roses meant instead of the three she had expected (three red roses means “I love you” as opposed to 13, which means “friends forever,” a phrase that might disappoint a significant other that wants more than just friendship).
Roses—particularly red ones—have been the typical gift of love, but there have been some other variety of flowers that can show one’s feelings. Try something different with flowers, even. Perhaps sending white roses instead of red ones could possibly delight the girlfriend, or you might want to deliver a bouquet of lavenders to your secret love. It just might do the trick.
Jewelry: Accessories might be another way of showing your significant other how much you care, whether it’s a new watch—or new video game, heaven forbid—for the guys or pretty bracelets for the girls. The possibilities here are endless!
Now what girl wouldn’t be happy with a new necklace, bracelet, or earrings? If you’re feeling extremely generous, there might even be a few shiny stones added into the mix. In any case, jewelry—diamonds in particular—are a girl’s best friend.
Stuffed Toys: There have also been times when a stuffed toy just does it for certain people. Admit it! They are cute, soft, and make for really good decorations. Teddy bears are the common and most popular stuffed toys to be given as gifts, but there are many other variations to the act of stuffed toy-giving.
You might not know what exactly to get your special someone in this department. For starters, pick the fluffiest and most stuffed animal you can find. You could always do a Build-A-Bear type, if you want to customize the stuffed bear to match the interests of your significant other. However, the Build-A-Bears aren’t always the best way to go. There are definitely other types of stuffed animals that can satisfy your Valentine. The more preferred stuffed toys are usually animals—some of the popular ones are dogs, rabbits, cats, and elephants.
Letters and Cards: Remember those times in elementary school when your teachers would force you to write cards to your Valentine even when some of us didn’t have one and had no choice but to make one up completely? Do you also remember all those candy grams people were sending you—or you were sending to people? How about that time where you were made to spend so much money on dove grams to people who claimed that they were your Valentine—all for a meager piece of recognition when their names are called during distribution in class?
Believe it or not, love letters and candy are still used as an effective way to show that you do care (or that you remember that special person). Writing someone a heartfelt note and then slipping it in her mailbox or door might be a nice gesture. Throwing in candied hearts in your letter is a terribly creative touch. It lets her know that you’re thinking about her for the day, at least.
Dining: And why not treat the loved one for dinner out? Try a fancy restaurant, perhaps, or maybe even go for a stroll outside—weather permitting—in a romantic setting, or someplace where the both of you could just enjoy the time together. You could even watch a nice movie afterwards.
Of course, if you prefer the comfort of staying indoors, candlelight dinners are also a plus. Who could say no to a nice home-cooked meal with dessert going along with it? You could definitely choose your own music and setting this way. Creating an atmosphere is much easier at home, since you know it best.
Chocolates: I saved the best for last with chocolates. Now these morsels are the most coveted of all Valentine’s treats. From chocolate truffles to chocolate covered strawberries, a person can’t go wrong with giving his significant other a box or two. These treats are the most widely used way of celebrating Valentine’s Day worldwide. A piece of chocolate goes a long way for many people and giving a few Kisses—Hershey’s Kisses—here and there might wind up with you getting just as much in return. Wouldn’t you like that?
If the chocolates don’t work—which is surprising—try using other types of sweets. Cookies, cakes, and cupcakes are also good choices if chocolate doesn’t work. Who knows, sharing a pint of ice cream might be the best way to your significant other’s heart!
Now, if none of those tactics work, there’s always the warmth in a hug and a compliment. Perhaps a simple “Happy Valentine’s Day!” or an “I love you” could do it for your girlfriend or boyfriend. There are even more creative things that you can concoct if you really put your thought and enthusiasm into it. Have fun with planning, or, at least, think about the fun you’ll have if your significant other enjoys it too.
Then there’s that little possibility that you’d rather not do anything on Valentine’s Day because, well, you don’t have someone to please—or it’s just too much of a commercial holiday. Cheer up, have some ice cream and take a day off! For those hating commercial holidays, you could always wait until the next day to do something special; subtle surprises hardly fail to please.
Whether you choose to acknowledge that the day exists or not, there’s always something to do with or without a significant other. Get a bunch of your friends together and find an excuse to party or do something in any case. Valentine’s Day is mostly a day about love, but I’m sure with the right idea in mind and the right friends, you can have fun, even without the love.
