It was not yet Christmas when we began seeing the store shelves lined with red and pink heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, stocked in extra-early preparation of the Valentine’s Day rush that was still months away.
This year, why not try something different? The candy and flowers are great and, if you’re under 20, even the stuffed teddy bears are cute. But are they really the way to your love’s heart on Valentine’s Day? Here are five suggestions that might come in handy for the special someone who has had his or her fill of chocolates.
Book a couples’ massage. We guarantee this is one gesture that goes a long way, particularly for that person whose days are filled with worrying about of the needs of others instead of their own. There are many spas that offer Valentine’s Day specials or two-for-one deals. Look into this, seriously.
Surprise your Valentine with a romantic couples’ massage
Hire someone to clean your home for a day. Busy parents with small children, or those who work outside the home and can rarely find the time to keep it clean, will totally appreciate this. Many reputable cleaning services will offer a one-time, top-to-bottom cleaning that will leave your loved one smiling for days.
Book a night or two at a B&B. This is the absolute perfect time to find great deals on off-season rates at B&Bs and inns all over Cape Cod and beyond. What could be more romantic than sneaking off for a night to relax, reconnect and recharge in a beautiful setting, while other people wait on you? Nothing!
Make a date. We don’t necessarily mean the go-to-dinner-at-a-fancy-restaurant type of date (although those are always nice). We mean, do something fun that you did at the beginning of your relationship when you were in the getting-to-know-you, getting-to-love-you phase! Go ice skating, drive to New York for a day, make a thermos of mimosas (or hot coffee), grab a big, warm blanket, and watch the sun rise together. Or watch it set! The possibilities are endless.
Get a couples mani/pedi. Don’t laugh. This is actually something many women secretly wish their men would do with them. Pampering ones fingers and toes for an hour or two is good for the soul and the skin. And since these are parts of your body that you use ALL THE TIME, it’s important to take good care of them. We guarantee, you’ll wish you’d done this sooner.
Making Valentine’s Day a great day is truly as easy as making your loved one feel loved and appreciated. It doesn’t have to be grandiose. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be filled with small, simple gestures that mean something to both the person making them, and the person receiving them.
About Ann Luongo
