Valentine's Day is Feb. 14, just a week away. Almost everyone has a great Valentine's Day story or two (be it a "best ever" or a "worst ever" - feel free to share either way), and some people start planning for it months in advance. And then of course, there are those who think of Valentine's as just another Hallmark Holiday, used to separate their money from their wallets...

Question:
What are your plans for Valentine's Day this year?

Choices:
I've had reservations at one of the city's finest restaurants for months; no detail has been overlooked
We're sitting down to a quiet romantic dinner at a small, local favorite restaurant of ours
I'm cooking at home for him/her
He's/She's cooking at home for me
Valentine's Day is a sham. Plus, I'm single

 

when is this?

I'm laying low. Valentine's Day is dangerous for single men. Dangerous!!

PH

quote:

Originally posted by PurpleHaze:
I'm laying low. Valentine's Day is dangerous for single men. Dangerous!!

PH

Cheap skate!

20th Annv. to the love of my life. Romantic evening at home, I'm cooking, we're going away later.

quote:

Originally posted by TBird:
when is this?

low key dinner, local.

We always go out to one of our favorite restaurants for Valentine's, and despite others' experiences to the contrary, we've always had a good time and good food.

This year, though, we are instead going out to winemaker's dinner (Waterbrook, from WA state) which is on Feb. 13 at a very good French restaurant. The menu and wine pairing looked too good to pass up, and 2 midweek overindulgences is one too many.

Nothing! I've never been into that "holiday" and can't imagine going out to a restaurant that night. I'm glad I'm married to someone who feels the same.

quote:

Originally posted by Bella Donna:

quote:

Originally posted by PurpleHaze:
I'm laying low. Valentine's Day is dangerous for single men. Dangerous!!

PH

Cheap skate!

Nothing to do with being cheap, Bella. Has to do with not sending any signals anywhere that can be misinterpreted by anybody!! I think I feel a cold coming on that'll peak right around the 14th.....

PH

I was just messing with you PH.

PH, you are wise to stay in and avoid that kind of silliness and weird expectations that will be in the air.

It is really kind of sad that for a lot of people, this day takes on such importance and not just for singles. For a vast percentage of women, it seems that getting that rushed prix fixe dinner, some flowers and some form of jewelry on that day is taken as an indicator of love and mutual happiness in a relationship.

Bella,



Definitely what Een said!

PH

We're leaving on a cruise a few days after Valentine's Day, so we'll probably try to keep calories down and celebrate on the ship.

One of the funniest skits I've ever seen on TV was Nicole Sullivan on MAD TV doing a cooking show parody and the subject was cooking Valentine's Day dinner for one. Anybody see that?

I have to go to a trade show on V day every year. It is a great excuse to avoid having to do anything for the ultimate Hallmark holiday.

We always get take-out food from a nice restaurant and pair it with our own wines for a cozy candle light dinner! No lines, no loud patrons, better wines, little clean up, and closer to the bedroom!

Also (tip from other forumite) Take your significant other out this week with all the pomp and circumstance - flowers, dress up, nice dinner ect... and when she asks you what's up, just say that you love her some much, you could not wait for Valentines Day! It works only once every few years, but is a hit every time!

The week before is a better idea. I'd rather just do something nice for M. because I want to and not because Hallmark tells me it's the right day. I arranged to have a nice lunch sent to his work today as it's crappily cold and he's working under deadline.

I just kind of realized that my husband and I have never gone out for Valentine's Day, even when we were dating. I agree, this 'holiday' creates such expectation for many. We have always stayed in, he usually creates something wonderful, there's the candlelight, the wine, something soft playing in the background, and it's just the two of us. Very nice....

From Purple Haze:

quote:

I'm laying low.

My question is this: Who is "low"?

quote:

Originally posted by irwin:
From Purple Haze:

quote:

I'm laying low.

My question is this: Who is "low"?

That irwin is a witty fellow. Put a couple glasses of good wine in him, and he's a positive hoot!

PH

My wife's birthday is the 12th. Going to a French cuisine cooking and wine pairing class at Chef's Catalog.

Our first date was on February 13th. So we go out then instead.
It's way easier to get a reservation.

Usually my wife just serves me breakfast in bed.

I'm easy.

I'm am both saddened and amused by the people who think Valentine's Day is a humbug. It's a day set aside to do something extra special for the one you love. Hopw can that be a bad thing? If you do it because "Hallmark tells you to," that's because you are a loser, not Hallmark. So many deconstruct holidays into purely commercial affairs. Some go that route, but the feeling in the air is nice. I send my wife and my daughters roses every Valentine's Day. They love it. It makes them happy. They know I do it because I love them.

Holidays are not either menaingful or materialistic shams.

The biggest lie is when people bag on holidays and then claim they are sweet to their spouse all year. While I admire the thought, no one can be sweet every day.

Goodness, just enjoy the day and stop being so damned gloomy about one of the nicest days of the year.