Valentine’s Day is the worst, guys. It’s a day created to charge you more for a meal you can get for a normal price the day before or after with pressure to buy dumb things that no one wants like American-made Chocolate bars (ew), Teddy Bears (what?) and long stemmed roses (They smell so bad 5 days later).
Do I sound like a crotchety old cat lady? I’m not. I’m a romantic at heart but not because Hallmark decided it wanted to sell a lot of cards one day a year. I’m all about spending qt with a loved one, whether it be a galpal, significant other or family member. And if Valentine’s Day forces us to do that once a year, then so be it. So if you must celebrate the day tomorrow, here is my advice below. (Share with the guys in your life).
Valentine’s Day Ideas that don’t suck
Flowers
No. Put down the roses. Put down whatever you just picked up at the grocery store. She doesn’t want that. She wants something wrapped in burlap she saw on Instagram. Trust me. It’s what we all want. There are plenty of options (and at press time, even some you can STILL get for Valentine’s Day, like at The Bouqs) for Instagram-worthy flowers these days and you never have to purchase anything with baby’s breath or carnations or daisies again. But do you know what is even better than flowers ONCE? A flower subscription for regular flower deliveries. Epic Valentine’s Gift Achieved.
Food
Back away from Open Table. There are no reservations pre-11 pm left and if there are, there’s a reason. You don’t want a set menu cooked by the “b-team” in a restaurant that rushes you through your meal.
How about: You go to a cocktail or wine bar for drinks followed by cooking together at home. Or get take-out. Get something fancy. Get poké. (I’m basically telling you my dream Tuesday evening right now).
Or sign up for a cooking class. They are ridiculously expensive but oh so fun! Make Sushi at home! It’s going to taste so bad, but you might have fun doing it.
Cards
Send one. A “Happy Valentine’s Day, let’s try not to fight tonight” text won’t do. Use Postable.com. Here were a few options I had to send to friends this year:
Postable is my favorite way to send cards, and everyone always loves getting a handwritten card printed by a machine in a city different than your own that you never laid eyes on in real life.
Galentine’s Day- February 13th
Single? Not single but hate Valentine’s Day? Get your lady or coed crew together, make it a potluck, make pokè and drink sake and decorate the house with cheesy paper hearts. I really like pokè, here’s my favorite recipe: Action Bronson’s Tuna Pokè.
Find something to do together. Do a fundraiser. Donate money to something girlie (There’s an awesome Planned Parenthood Galentine’s Day Happy Hour happening tonight in Philly).
So no, you don’t have to do what the commercials say you should. You don’t have to listen to me either (But you should) but I DO recommend spending Valentine’s Day with someone you love, even if that means your cats will watch you eat poke on the couch while watching old episodes of Parks and Rec.
