As couples of all kind prepare for the great day of romantic celebration, Valentine’s Day, whether you are singles in a couple relationship, a recently married couple celebrating your first Valentine’s Day together as newlyweds, or you are a long-standing married couple, there are thoughtful ways to demonstrate your love for each other in meaningful ways without breaking the bank.
Celebrate the Sentiment – Avoid the Premium Prices
Indeed, when I field dating advise for Midlife Singles, singles over 35 and in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, some of their questions are quite practical. Yes, they have a tender and romantic heart and desire to do something special to celebrate Valentine’s Day. And yet, they are quite sage of the fact that many of the traditional Valentine’s Day gifts have been significantly marked up for the occasion. Some married couples even had their marriage nuptials on Valentine’s Day, making remembering their wedding anniversary quite easy.
However, they are all wanting to avoid the crowds of couples and the premium prices. Some choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day, the sentiment of it, on a different day.
Make It Special – At Home
Yes, I love when men are gentlemen and pay for those first phase of a relationship dates, open the door for us (I inculcate for sweet, feminine utterances of “thank you!”). However, dating is for courtship, not for (shudder, ghastly behavior) treating men like a meal ticket. So, when the two of you are a couple with some exclusivity and commitment, or you two are married, celebrating Valentine’s Day as a special romantic occasion need not be about eating your meal out at a restaurant.
Instead, whoever is the better cook, prepare a special romantic dinner for you two. Go to CostCo and purchase a nice bottle of wine for you two to share together. You can even make the preparing and cooking of the meal a romantic interlude. Wear aprons (yes, there are masculine ones….), and chop and mince together while dancing around your kitchen listening to some romantic ballads sung by Johnny Mathis or Frank Sinatra. Share using the wooden spoon as the microphone, and warble along with the crooners.
Serve the meal by candlelight, and open up the bottle of wine like La Crema as you set a special table. It is a very good wine with a marvelous moderate price. Use special linens if you have them. However, not to force you to race out and spend scads of money just to fill your linen or hope chest, if you do not, you can purchase hearts metal confetti at some party stores and strew them across your table to catch the candlelight and make for a frugal romantic setting.
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Lisa McLellan says
February 19, 2010 at 3:24 PMMy husband and I have been together for 21 years and married for 18 of those. I’ve gotten roses and candy many times from him. I love roses, but I can’t see paying 3 times the normal price just because it is Valentine’s Day. What I would really love is for him to make arrangements for the kids to be at a friend’s house and for him to cook me a special dinner. THat would be fabulous!
Lisa McLellan, Child Care Expert
Babysitting Services – Babysitter in your area
Anthony Lemme says
March 22, 2010 at 8:27 PMMy lovely other and I are always doing nice things with, for and to each other. Everyday is Valentines day so we don’t really care too much about it.
Anthony
April Braswell says
March 24, 2010 at 7:09 PMHi Anthony,
Thank you for stopping by and commenting at my Dating and Relationship Tips blog. Indeed, when you are in love it is like the song, “Each Day is Valentine’s Day.”
How marvelous for you two!
Happy Dating and Relationships
April Braswell
Dawn Caliman says
December 16, 2010 at 9:46 PMThinking and planning ahead of time for Valentines Day is the way to go and still have some good options open to you. Great point April!