Oh, Another Valentine’s Day Date

by Orielle Heilicher, Tastemaker in Residence

When February rolls around, thoughts of vacations, escaping the snow and needing a break from work come to mind, but then the thought comes trickling in: oh, right… it’s almost Valentine’s Day.            

So what does one do on Valentine’s Day? Well, there’s going out for dinner, heading to the ice rink for skating, or going out for a movie. The night is usually imagined as popping straight out of a Hollywood rom-com, with your significant other whisking you off your feet after downing a $75 bottle of wine. Well, I hate to break it to you all, but that ain't the reality and to be honest, Valentine’s Day can be a bit overrated, with endless encouragement to buy your significant other expensive gifts.            

Instead of doing the activities that never really end in a way that you want, or never really excite you, choose something that you either don’t normally do or that enhances your relationship with your significant other. This can mean something as simple as staying at home, making dinner from scratch, enjoying your favorite movie on the couch, or playing a competitive game of Battleship.            

Going out to eat can be stressful and expensive. You could make a reservation or maybe you forgot and every good restaurant is booked. You could get all dressed up to go to a dinner where the music is loud, so you can’t have an intimate conversation and the food is…decent? 

Well, for a day that’s supposed to be “special”, it sounds like a whole lot of hassle with very little reward. If you stay in, you can bundle up in your pajamas, put on some music and make a simple dinner with your significant other, spending more quality time together. This Cauliflower Bolognese recipe provides the perfect path to relaxation and healthy food. If you’re looking for a “romantic” dessert, crack open a pint of your favorite ice cream with two spoons, and you’re set. 

Try having your best friends over for Valentine’s Day brunch to celebrate your friendships; a different kind of love. Get some bagels, lox, and cream cheese and call it a day. Then add some coffee and mimosas so it’s really worth it! But alas, if you are a gift giver and craving to show your love in a way that makes your significant other feel special, there are gifts that are cost-effective, thoughtful, and useful. MeUndies came out with a full Valentine’s Day collection of matching intimates that could be the perfect, quirky gift you were looking for.           

If that gift is a little bit too intimate for you, I suggest thinking of something more personalized or something they might actually need, or something they really love. Take that love and turn it up a notch. I love coffee and am obsessed with sustainability, so a perfect inexpensive gift would be a small glass, a sustainable coffee mug from Joco, an Australian company, which fits an everyday need. If you are struggling to find something, do a quick Google search of your significant other’s favorite things, or check out New York Magazine’s The Strategist to get some ideas for the perfect, yet creative gift for the one you love.             

Valentine’s Day can be a strain on the wallet, the schedule, and the mind, but it doesn’t have to be. Make your Valentine’s choices feel unique to you and it will be more fun and enjoyable every year.