I have not always been a fan of Valentine’s Day. I always felt, and still feel that the holiday is a bit overrated. However, as I get older, I am slowly crossing over to the side where I think a special day to celebrate love is not so bad after all. While I do believe that people should not wait until Valentine’s Day to give their lover something special or share a special moment with them, I do think that Valentine’s Day along with a yearlong of other great moments, is precious. I am not so much a fan of giving gifts, as I am a fan of creating a special day for your mate.
So here are my ideas to make that special Valentine’s Day that much more special for your love. Since I mention food, I figure I can also give some romance and love advice J
I think there is a misconception that Valentine’s Day is a day for women to be treated well by their mate. No no. V-Day is a special day for couples to make the other feel special. So ladies, treat him to that special day. You may choose to do one or all the things below, but do something thoughtful. That’s what the day is about.
Send Flowers
Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday this year. This is the perfect occasion to make him or her look good in front of his or her co-worker. Ladies this is especially important for you to do. Send him flowers for a change. Imagine the look on his face when he gets that bouquet of flowers in front of all his co-workers. He will be the king that day. And gentlemen, yes, the flowers at work still work wonders. Women love gloating in front of other women, so this is a great.
Plan Dinner
I strongly recommend a home cooked meal. I have tons of great recipes in my book Taste of Life: A Culinary Memoir. Our chapter on a romantic dinner will definitely benefit you. I say keep it simple, but pick ingredients that sound exotic and complicated. Salmon is an easy fish to prepare. A nice rice, and of course a simple no bake dessert. Google is your friend, use it. If cooking is truly out of the question, than I suggest going out to dinner. It doesn’t have to be a super duper romantic restaurant, but go somewhere nice where you can talk. Men are just as mushy as we are. They just are not into being mushy 24/7. But they also relish in the occasion to be a totally treated nice or to treat you nice. So give them the opportunity.
Call/write/visit
Communication is key. Do take the time on that special day and remind the person how special they are to you. Tell them all the things they do that you absolutely love and can’t live without. Maybe they give the best neck massages in the world, maybe they look at you in a way that just makes you melt, or perhaps they make your favorite dish whenever they see you are down, or you may not even be able to put your finger on it, but you know how they make you feel. Tell them. Nothing beats the power of the spoken or written word when truly spoken from the heart.
Gift
If you do plan on getting your mate a gift, give them something thoughtful. Something you know they will love. If you know they love food, buy them a gift certificate to a cooking class and take it together. Yours truly can help you with that ;-). If they love sports, buy tickets to a sporting event. Take them on a romantic getaway. Have their boss/co-workers help you plan a way of surprising you. Kidnap them at work and go to the spa together. Go to an arcade together. Relive your first date, do something fun, crazy or romantic. Whatever suits your personality!
Remember, Valentine’s Day is about letting the person you love or growing to love know without a doubt they matter to you and you care about them and you enjoy sharing life’s little moments with them.
Nadege Fleurimond is the owner & business manager of Fleurimond Catering, Inc., an off-premise catering firm serving the NY/NJ/CT/MA areas. She is also the author of a Taste of Life: A Culinary Memoir, a humorous and heartwarming compilation of recipes and funny anecdotes. (http://www.nadegefleurimond.com)
Please submit thoughts and questions pertaining to the column via email at nadege1981@gmail.com