For a holiday that’s all about love, Valentine’s Day can sometimes stir up a little bit of hate too. Some couples buy into Valentine’s Day (Hallmark cards, red roses, and so on) while others are fiercely against it. For some of us, the holiday is forced, corny, and ridiculously expensive. Rather than swear off love altogether, you can do V-Day without the frilly hearts, boxes of chocolate, and prix-fixe menus. Here’s how you can honor your spouse in a way that’s low-key, hip, and tongue-in-cheek.
Go old school. Remember the innocence and thrill of Valentine’s Day when you were a kid? Go back to a simpler time -- exchange cards (homemade or otherwise) and enjoy the simple expressions of affection. Fill a bowl with Conversation Hearts, gobble up your favorite sayings (“Yes Dear” or “Be Mine”), and then nibble on each other.
Buy a flower with staying power. Skip the tired red roses that have suddenly tripled in price and buy a potted plant. We love the glimpse of springtime gorgeous hyacinths and tulips provide, but even a nonflowering variety will bring life and love into the house -- and last a lot longer.
Challenge yourselves to get cheesy. Your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to find the cheesiest, most over-the-top card ever created. Make it a contest and try to beat your spouse! Go for oversized, exaggerated prose, frilly script, cheap ’70s-style photography...you get the picture. The winner gets to choose the evening’s activities -- strip poker, anyone?
Make it a party! Back in the day, you gave a Valentine to all of your friends. Make the day a group effort by enlisting other V-Day scrooges to hang out (lonely hearts club welcome!). Hit the bowling alley or your favorite watering hole for a round or two. Or invite them over to your pad. Spin the bottle probably isn’t a great idea, but an ’80s-power-ballad-themed game of charades might do the trick.
Take it down a notch. Skip the overpriced dinner and head for a locale that doesn’t cater to -- and, um, exploit -- the lost-in-love twosome. You’re newlyweds and you spent the last couple of years crafting the most romantic day of your life (your wedding day?). Dress it down this year. Camp out at your local bar, BBQ place, or burger joint. Have an unfussy meal and catch up with each other. The idea is that you’re spending time together in a no-pressure atmosphere. In our book, that’s pretty romantic.
by Alonna Friedman
3/3/08
See more:
anniversary & date night,
Love/Sex