If You Celebrate Valentine's Day In, Say, October, You Don't Have To Go Into A Panic On Feb 13
You celebrate Valentine's Day when it is not yet Valentine's Day by consistently acting like you haven't forgotten that you love your partner.
Then, when Valentine's Day comes around, it doesn't need to be such a big deal.
What is Valentine's Day?
Valentine's Day is a day when you pay three times what you would've paid on any other day for a mediocre meal in packed restaurant. In the name of love.
For an example of Valentine's day on any old day, my boyfriend will hide chocolate bars for me in my house. (Thanks to my ADHD, I will forget that he does this -- until he reminds me of it and gives me clues where to find one when I'm having a bad day.) Hint: Guys! Steal this idea. Oh, and make it a tiny chocolate bar if she's on a diet. Gregg gets the tiny French ones -- the Valrhona bars sold at the checkout at Trader Joe's.
For another example, I'm part of a professional group of published non-fiction authors that meets once a month. To be in the group, you have to bring dinner once a year. Last week was my turn.
I offered to bring Cobb Salad (because it doesn't require much cooking, if you buy the chicken somewhere, which I figured I could do). However...I'm working crazy hours on my next book, the column, the radio show, being the new president of AEPS, and getting speaking engagements.
Gregg made dinner for me, for 11 people -- Cobb Salad, and per his idea...the original Brown Derby recipe, complete with the homemade dressing, and brought it over in a huge bag. And it was great.
He'll probably get me flowers on Valentine's Day -- the kind I like (not roses, which smell up my house, but Gerber daisies, which I always think look like "happy flowers"). And he'll probably make me dinner -- which he does several times a week -- and then we'll probably watch a movie and snuggle on the couch while he is used by Aida as a giant dog toy. Same as on lots of days.
Good tip on the chocolate. Just added my wife's favorite bar to my Amazon Subscribe and Save order.
You've now replaced my left-behind in Va "get Bob out of trouble advisor" as my wife loved the hat you suggested previously.
Bob in Texas at February 9, 2015 6:14 AM
Ooh, fabulous, Bob in Texas. So happy to hear that!
And a tip -- get really good chocolate, and figure out what kind she likes best. And really, small is best, so she can have a wee treat without feeling bad about herself for eating it afterward.
Think mini indulgence rather than the experience of that girl in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Amy Alkon at February 9, 2015 6:34 AM
Lewis Black. NSFW.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74A8wFv7qnw
Steve Daniels at February 9, 2015 9:41 AM
I always said you would save a bundle if you celebrated Christmas on New Year's Day. The gift wrap, the decorations, the candy, etc. would all be on clearance prices.
Patrick at February 9, 2015 9:50 AM
Great idea of "hiding" chocolate. And, Gerber daisies are "happy flowers." I love that description!
charles at February 9, 2015 1:42 PM
I love the chocolate idea, but it wouldn't survive my kids.
LOL Patrick!
BunnyGirl at February 9, 2015 2:08 PM
I was listening to my favorite radio show on the way home from work tonight, and they were talking about Valentine's day. They called it the Black Friday of Love.
I almost wrecked the car, I was laughing so hard.
Daghain at February 9, 2015 5:24 PM
Thanks, Charles. And actually, it turns out there's a memorial of sorts for a friend of mine on February 14, so I asked Gregg if we could reschedule Valentine's Day to the 13th. (Less traffic! Etc.!) So, on the 14th, Gregg will stay home watching some four-hour documentary on World War II and I will be off at my thing.
Amy Alkon at February 9, 2015 6:17 PM
Patrick - I knew people who did Christmas in January! I have tried to convince my family to switch too but no luck. At least we do the draw names for the adults (e.g. you only buy presents for one other adult).
Uhm, it sounds like Greg is doing both. It sounds like he does more Valetines day than I ever have done. Point taken...I am single.
The Former Banker at February 9, 2015 7:39 PM
I just bought that chocolate it's delish!
Thank you!!
I love righteously raw bite size tiny little bars they sell at whole foods but I buy them online since it's way cheaper. They have no sugar and are awesome.
Ppen at February 9, 2015 8:11 PM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2015/02/how-and-when-to.html#comment-5841836">comment from PpenI'm so glad, Ppen. I just love it!
Amy Alkon
at February 9, 2015 9:02 PM
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