Every February 14, millions of us do the most unromantic thing possible: we repeat ourselves with roses and chocolates and greeting cards. (Yawn.)
Here are five ways to make this Valentine’s Day a little surprising:
Explore together: What can be more romantic than discovering or re-discovering a place with the one you love. But who says you have to drive or fly to do it? Check out Google Maps or Yelp, plan a day trip by marking down scenic parks, funky stores, historic sites or new eateries you’ve never tried out and be tourists in your own town. Take a ton of pics and post them on your social media.
Learn together: If you’d rather stay indoors in February (and we don’t blame you), how about taking a class together? Your local community center or college is sure to offer a range of activities, including cooking, painting and photography. You can even learn a new language together!
Valentine’s Day +/-7: Trying to book an intimate dinner around Valentine’s can be enough to suck every last bit of romance out of an otherwise special day. But who says you need to celebrate on February 14? Plan your special evening before or even after. It’ll reduce the stress, avoid the crowds and make it easier to get a dinner reservation!
A rose by any other name: Tradition is wonderful and roses are beautiful but why not try something original? After all, there are 400,000 types of flowering plants in the world. Surprise your special someone!
Spread the love: Approximately 7.6 million animals enter shelters nationwide each year. Why not keep Valentine’s going all year-round by adopting a dog or cat that could use some love?
What are your favorite unconventional Valentine’s Days gifts and activities? Please share them in the Shop Talk Blog community forum!
Did you know: Christmas v. Valentine
Americans purchase 145 million Valentine’s Day cards each year. Christmas is the only holiday that sees more cards sold. (Source)
Awesome site
Life is way too short to be unhappy and not enjoy the company of a great friend .YOLO
I’m ready to go on with my life and enjoy the good days and not dwell in the past.
3/13/2017
Happy Valentines Day for my special Man.
xxoo
I want to learn more
Love this so much
I love the idea about exploring together. Sit down, pull out a map, pin-point a certain area, put a blind-fold on, then choose a place to go and have a romantic adventure! Love it!
I need money to do some home improvements. I am 100 percent disabled!.
Thank you for all the great ideas found within these articles. Pleasure reading all of them and sharing them with family and friends who share them as well.
Great knowledge that can be used to open conversations as well.as good points of interest that add much knowledge to share with everyone.
Should do this store often, maybe you do? A gentleman might bring this information along with him to be in the know! Not sure. Either way, excellent articles to share with others or build upon for further information or other topics to grow upon.
I will prepare one of my Husbands’ FAVORITES, why go spend TOO MUCH $$$, Somewhere else, on something that I can do here, & ADD or SUBTRACT what He LIKES, “OUR WAY” aaaaa
Happy Valentines Day to ALL!!
go to the card store with your special person, look at the cards and choose one for each of you and say,” if I were going to buy you a card, ths is the one I’d buy for you!”
I have done this and its fun. Cheap but shows the thought.
Gave me great ideals I never thought of but great things to do we are retired we will share with others
How about a day at the spa for pampering and relaxation. How about doing the housework for one day. How about taking the kids for awhile so she can rest and recompose herself???
GREAT SITE THANKS FOR COMMENTS
Lets think REALLY special: Make your valentine’s most favorite dinner for 2 at home with the wine he/she loves and a lovely desert after. Candle light. A lovely centerpiece. What could be more romantic, and for soooo much less.
I think the most romantic thing you can give is a service, like making a special meal, or giving a massage, or just doing something like taking out the trash for a month. It shows you want to please.
Good ways to spend time together on or near Valentine Day.
My favorite Valentines Day gift is a love letter.
My Son in law’s Mother works for a florist and does gorgeous arrangements. So He has His Mother do a special
arrangement which is usually not roses. They try to have a date each month. He is romantic. So it does not
have to be the usual Valentine’s gifts. Think out of the box.
Need a new partner to have fun with.