Tired of fancy dinners, chocolates and roses?
Here are a few unusual Valentine's Day ideas.
Like birthdays, Valentine's Day celebrations become repetitive after a few years. If you've grown disenchanted with fancy dinners, chocolates and
roses, worry not, because we've rounded up a series of unconventional Valentine's Day ideas to combat the season's predictability. After all, what's
romance without a little adventure?
1. Get cultured. Every culture celebrates the day of love a little differently. For instance, in Japan, women give men chocolates on February 14th, while
some parts of Britain serve buns baked with
caraway seeds and raisins.
2. Throw a Quirkyalone Day party. As much as we love batting heart-shaped piñatas during "Singles Awareness" parties, we'll concede that hating
Valentine's Day can be just as trite and obnoxious as the day itself. Instead of throwing an anti- Valentine's party, participate in International
Quirkyalone Day, where singles around the world throw feel-good parties celebrating empowerment, romance and gratitude. Sometimes, these get-
together encourage mingling; other times, they're just an excuse to enjoy Valentine's Day without the collective self-pity that often accompanies other
singles' parties. For ideas, check out the movement's website , which recommends hosting an event at a public place, such as a library, and
advertising for it a few weeks ahead of time on Craigslist or Flavorpill.
3. Do touristy things in your own town. Since plenty of people already dismiss Valentine's Day as corny, plan a few touristy activities that you and your honey have never gotten around to doing, and don't
be embarrassed to take a zillion couple-y pictures while visiting those attractions. For example, if you live in New York City, ride a carriage through Central Park, have dinner at Serendipity, and play arcade
games at Dave & Buster's in Times Square. Actually sounds pretty romantic, eh?
4. Have a group date at someone's house. Gather a bunch of people for a stay-at-home group date and split the duties. For instance, the men buy flowers, cook and serve the women dinner, while the women plan games, decorate or provide gifts (we suggest baked goods!). Keep in mind that if your party consists of both singles and couples, there should be an even number of single men and women so that no one ends up feeling like a third wheel.
5. Volunteer. Valentine's Day is a celebration of love, so consider branching out from romance into charity and friendship. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, send flowers to nursing home residents, or check online listings for Valentine-themed fundraisers for reputable non-profits. Contact local women's and domestic violence shelters to ask how you can best show love to those who live and work there. Baking cookies or sending letters of appreciation to caregivers can make all the difference for people who have suffered because of corrupted relationships.
6. DIY your gift. By do-it-yourself, we don't just mean cooking dinner and making mix a CD. Scout around for a personalize present she won't expect. For instance, Blends For Friends , creates a blend of loose leaf tea based on the recipient's personality.
Simply provide your S.O.'s date of birth, hobbies, personality and physical appearance and see what the service comes up with once the box arrives in
the mail. Or put a contemporary spin on homemade scrapbooks, by using Blurb.com to compile a book of love poems, photographs or literary passages that describe your relationship.
7. Have a date at the dog park. A global poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos revealed that one in five people would rather spend Valentine's Day with
their pet than a partner. If you're having a hard time picking between the two, spend the afternoon at a Local pet park before hitting the town on date night. Or, if you're single, forego the ice cream-laden night alone and take Fido out to play in your city's dog run. Who knows, you might just meet the dog-lover of your dreams.
8. Celebrate on a different day. Restaurants sure are expensive and crowded on Valentine's Day, so postpone your date night to February 15th and spend the holiday itself indoors, relaxing with takeout and a couple of romantic movies. Go all-out the following night with bouquets and a reservation at a classy restaurant you've always wanted to try.
9. Give an alternative bouquet. Roses may be the symbol of love, but they're also a little generic. If your lady's down with non-traditional presents, try substituting roses—heck, even flowers—with a different kind of "bouquet." Send a potted plant , a bonsai or even a miniature tree to her home or workplace. If she's got a sweet tooth, send her a candy bouquet, and if you're good with crafts, make flower bouquet using origami .
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