Look N' Shop Magazine February 2015 Issue 23 | Page 7

look n’ shop magazine page 7

The Heart Wants What It Wants

valentine’s
day
With the wrapping paper and bows barely put away, stores
across the country are already prepping for the next major
event — Valentine’s Day.

W

hether loathed by the lonely hearted or embraced by hopeful romantics, Feb. 14 can elicit
everything from anxiety to optimism. And why
not? It is the one day a year that expectations
are high, and hope is in the air.
Unfortunately, men can be poor planners when it comes to
this special day, and trying to please one half of a couple without breaking the bank can also be a struggle. Which is why,
say experts, the most romantic day of the year tends to be
anything but.
“The majority of men act like robots, purchasing flowers and
chocolate for their sweethearts because that’s what everyone else is doing,” says Michael Webb, a relationship author.
“Many people celebrate the day out of obligation rather than
celebration.”
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Check out the following
ideas to help jog the most uncreative mind to new heights:

Consider the alternatives. Dinner reservations on Valentine’s
Day (which happens to be on a Friday this year) require (sometimes) planning months ahead of time. If you haven’t already
done so, a breakfast or brunch instead can be just as lovely.
Besides being more inexpensive than dinner, it also allows
for a full day of Valentine’s activities (planning still required).
Attend to the little things. It’s been said that the devil is in the
details, and never is this more true than on the most romantic day of the year. So, whether you’re fine dining or having
an intimate dinner for two at home, candles, soft music and
incense can create a memorable ambiance not to be soon
forgotten on this day of dates.
Make a romantic gesture. Romance doesn’t have to break
the bank. A few special truffles to be enjoyed with a bottle
of wine are far more inexpensive (and appreciated) than a
large box of chocolates. Or rejuvenate your youthful spirits by
going to your neighborhood park and playing on the swings
and slides. Oh, and be sure to put the same effort into the
evening to make it just as romantic.