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Via EmailRomantic Date Ideas for Men: How to Avoid the Valentine’s Day Penalty Box
You want romance, connection and closeness on this most romantic of days. So listen up, guys! Valentine’s Day is the most important date day of the year. And that’s not just Hallmark speaking. Your sweetie believes it, too. You want to score points and stay out of the penalty box. So play hard and fair, and stay away from the 4 big Valentine’s Day mistakes. You’re about to discover how to make this day memorable. In a good way.
1. Forgetting or not planning until the last minute
Have you been living in a barrel? Are you oblivious to all the hearts and red posters in store windows? Ohhh, forgetting this romantic day is gonna cost you. But that’s another topic.
You can get restaurant reservations, but only at Taco Bell. The flower shop has been picked over. Valentine’s cards look shoddy and bent. Take heart. All is not lost because you’re cooking, buying an artificial flower arrangement, and making cards. Then you have to pretend that you planned it all along. (I lied about the fake flowers. Don’t buy those unless she loves ‘em and you don’t mind living with them.)
2. Choosing a gift that sends the wrong message
Giving her Tigress perfume and Victoria’s Secret lingerie sends a message that you want her to be sexy or sexier. Or worse, that she’s not sexy, period. If she’s a soap-and-socks kind of gal, you’re off base. But new socks and jammies in her favorite color might be a cherished Valentine’s Day gift idea, showing that you’re paying attention to her uniqueness.
On the other hand, if she likes perfume, there are inexpensive “message” brands that could make your point—for example, Goddess and Sensational. Perfume counters often have tester bottles. Buy the fragrance you like; then spritz a piece of paper with the tester.Wrap the spritz and wrap them up together. If she sniffs the paper and doesn’t like it, she doesn’t have to open the package, and it’s returnable. Then go shopping together for another scent. You’ve made your point, and she can get what she likes and educate you, too.
3. Buying clothing that’s too big
If you want to break up, get her a tarp from Omar the Tent Maker. If you’re unsure about her size, go small. If you can afford it, buy 2 or 3 sizes of the same item. Gift wrap the smallest size, and stash the others in the closet.
4. Failing to plan great conversation topics for couples
A special day deserves great conversation starters and keep-goingers. Make this romantic date all about getting to know her better. I promise, no matter how long you’ve been together, there’s unexplored territory. You can find hundreds of conversation questions for couples in my e-book “Do You Squeeze the Toothpaste in the Middle? Playful Questions for Dates and Mates.”
Here is a good conversation starter you can play with:
Modesty aside, what are you good at? It could be anything—from changing light bulbs in high places to making margaritas from scratch to tying knots. Name at least 3 things you’re good at. And then I’ll tell you 3 more.
Keep going, taking turns back and forth.
