Ideas for Valentine’s Day: How to Snag and WOW a Valentine

Valentine’s Day: I’ve heard a million times “It’s a holiday that Hallmark created just so that they could sell more cards.” I’d agree with that statement if we were discussing Sweetest Day…but I say that everyone should embrace Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s spending it with your significant other or just saying “today is the day where I take care of myself;” this year, try a few new ideas below.

Here are some ideas for spending your Valentine’s Day this year:

1.Flirt like crazy - Neither women nor men have exactly perfected the art of flirting, but I can tell you it goes hand in hand with self-confidence. The first step is making sure that the other person knows that you’re interested. Look them up and down and smile. Glance their way often and find reasons to walk past or stand / sit next to them. Hold their eye contact and try to be the last person to look away. Make sure that you don’t act too cliquey with your friends. A person will be less likely to approach an entire group due to fear of rejection. So make yourself available. Men: Be sweet and act like yourself. Don’t fear cheesy pick up lines. It just might work and could be the funny beginning to a long love story. On this day of the year, shamelessly flirt away because after all, this is the only day each year dedicated strictly to snagging that special someone…

2.Spice it up - Costumes are a great way to spice up your outward appearance. Whether your “wow-ing” your significant other, or going for a night out with the single ladies…pick a theme and dress the part! More and more young adults are finding reasons to dress to impress. And I don’t mean for the office! For one night, dare to be someone else! For ideas from French maids to naughty nurses, glittery shoes to feather boas…checkout BuyCostumes.com. Warning: these may cause your (future) significant other to drool.

3.Make dinner for two or for a group - Making dinner together is such an intimate occasion. You can learn a lot about a person by spending time with them in the kitchen. It’s amazing how differently people cook and I’ll bet you’ll learn a thing or two! The easiest way to get started is to have each person make two things that they really like. Assign one person the main entrée and dessert, the other appetizers and a salad. If preparing dinner for a group, assign each person or couple one of the courses. You can even hunt for a new recipe online and agree to spilt the duties. When the night comes, open a bottle of wine, light some candles, play your favorite music and enjoy your time together.

Check out some recipes: http://www.everythingvalentine.com/recipes.html#notime.

4.Throw a Progressive Dinner - on the note of cooking together …why not round up 4 or so couples and throw a progressive dinner? Choose a theme, encourage everyone to dress in costume and make the best Valentine memories ever. Start at Couple #1’s home for cocktails. Then, mosey on over to Couple #2’s home for appetizers…next, Couple #3 serves the main course and after wards, head to Couple #4’s home for dessert. Visit in the comfort of each other’s homes as you “progress” from one home / course to the other. It’s a great alternative to going out to dinner – plus decorating for the event, dressing the part and choosing the menu induces everyone’s creativity.

5.Personalized Gifts - Personalized gifts are an easy way to say “I was thinking specifically of you.” These types of gifts can be anything from items you could use at the office to personalized intimates. Check online for plenty of websites where you can get names engraved on wine glasses, key chains and even clothing, like pajamas. Put your favorite song lyrics or poem on an item of your choice. Make sure to order well ahead of time, because personalization does take a few extra days! You’ll be thankful you planned ahead.

6.Explore your Self Confidence - This will help you snag a date no matter what day it is. Practice and build your self-confidence in ways such as improving your physique, gaining skills in things that interest you, and making friends both male and female. Having friends of both sexes proves you are not clingy to one sex or the other. Develop your own individual style, because by doing that, you're saying, 'I like who I am,' and that's very sexy. If people get wind that you’re happy with who you are, they will respect you. This will make you all around more attractive. Plus, the ability to be dependent and self sustaining also has a hint of “hard to get.” And that my friend, is an invitation for any competitive mate!

7.Burn a new CD- Sometimes some good old rock and roll will put you in the mood to go out there and snag someone special or relieve stress during a quiet night at home. No matter who you’re spending Valentine’s Day with, download some of those songs you’ve been meaning to and burn a new CD. Be sure to crank it up and/or burn a copy for the person you’ll be seeing that night. Everyone can appreciate a new CD, plus they’ll think of you each time it’s played!

8.Pampering yourself (Shout out to Singles!) - If you don’t have anyone special to spend Valentine’s Day with, spend it taking care or yourself. And really do it this time. Do something that you have always wanted to do. Go extreme and skydive, try snowboarding, treat yourself to a massage or schedule a nail appointment. Hit up an indoor driving range, go to the batting cage, soak in a hot bath or book a flight to visit family. Try a new recipe, buy that expensive bottle of wine, watch reruns of all your favorite shows and feel fabulous about being single. There is nothing wrong with a little pampering, just as there is nothing wrong with being single. Proclaim to yourself and to the world that you are “single and loving it…” even if it is Valentine’s Day.

by Rachel Kuebbing & Kristen Grace, BuySeasons, Inc.