Be Romantic, Skip Valentine's Day

Nothing is less romantic than the typical canned-ham version of romance offered every February 14th. Chocolates + roses + stuffed bear + reservation at the Olive Garden = one lame night. I say forget about commercialized "love" and skip Valentine's Day altogether.  Instead, just have a date night, at home (you'd be crazy to go out and fight the crowds), with your spouse.  

Here are a few ideas to help you do something creative ...

Cook dinner at home.  Light some candles and make your own dinner.  You can go all out with a three-course meal, complete with salad, entree, and dessert, or just keep simple. Just think of it as a nice Saturday, not Valentine's Day, and nobody will be disappointed when there isn't a teddy bear the size of a small child presented as a gift.

Give a gift of yourself, not of stuff.  The best gifts aren't manufactured, shipped, purchased, and brought home. Despite the best efforts of some shrewd marketers out there, Valentine's Day is not a good enough reason in itself to break out the check book and start buying up jewelry, stuffed animals of any kind, or a heart-shaped anything. If you have your heart set on showing your love through a gift, make it an experience. Like to cook? Refer to tip #1 above, enjoy a fabulous home-cooked meal. But if cooking isn't your thing, no sweat; maybe you're an aspiring musician, write a song and serenade your girl; if the written word is your thing, then perhaps some origional poetry can help you express your love. Nothing is says, "I love you" more than giving yourself away.

Play together.   My wife loves board games (and so do I).  If that's your thing too, then break out your favorite game and enjoy being together.  If you're feeling creative you can make your own board game using pictures from past memories you've shared - sort of your own personal version of The Game of Life.  Make it fun and she'll love it! 

Watch your wedding video.  This is typically something couples do together on their anniversary, but there's no reason why you have to wait.  Watch it anytime you'd like.  Better yet, get married all over again and plan your own personal ceremony, followed by cake and dancing, made just for two.  Just for laughs, dig out the old tux and see if you're still the man you used to be.  

There you have it, just a few ideas for how you can make your spouse feel appreciated without doing the Valentine's Day thing.  So take back the stuffed bear, put down the grocery store card, step away from the imported roses, and do something original to show your affection.