Looking For The Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift, Guys? Your Search Is Over.
Each year, in the days leading up to February 14, millions of internet searches record the quest for Valentine’s Day gift ideas, dinner reservations, and flower deliveries. And each year, men wonder to themselves how they can best please their partners. Some of you wonder if you can possibly top the hot air balloon ride from two years ago. For others, you hope you can make up for last year’s gift—a Costco membership—which was practical and something you knew she wanted, but not exactly romantic (even if you threw in the line “I’m giving you my love in bulk.”)
Prepare to be dazzled with what I believe to be the single most romantic gesture you make for this year’s Valentine’s Day: celebrate it on February 13th.
Before you cue the cricket noise sound effect, please hear me out!
The unspoken rule of Valentine’s Day is that on this one day each year, you declare your love for your partner with roses, sweet sentiments, and any meal as long as it ends with tiramisu. I’m proposing that by celebrating it the day before, you are sending the message to your significant that you don’t need a single, specific day to remind you of your love for them. You are all about 24/365!
And it’s okay to be transparent about it. In fact, it’s recommended that you explain what you’re doing; let them know you are fully aware it is not February 14th, and so a mental status exam is unnecessary.
The gesture is the gift, but there are certainly some practical benefits that can’t be overlooked:
1. Easier dinner reservations with more variety—Unless you book super early, good luck
finding a quiet, romantic restaurant that doesn’t destroy your life’s savings with a 5-course
prix-fixe menu. But you’re likely to have a lot more success finding the perfect place on
February 13, and still have some money left for, you know, your mortgage.
2. Flower Power—Assuming you’re not the type to buy flowers from vendors selling them at a freeway exit, February 14th is a flower shop’s busiest day of the year. Now imagine the time they’ll have for you to help pick out the perfect bouquet, not to mention the time you will save not having to wait in a long line.
3. Babysitter availability—There’s a good chance your favorite 20-something babysitter
won’t be tied up with her own Valentine’s Day plans.
But the biggest advantage is showing your partner symbolically that every day is Valentine’s Day. February 14th, February 13th—they’re simply two of 365 opportunities to share a sweet sentiment, give flowers, make love, have dinner by candlelight, hug passionately, get a couple’s massage, or unload the dishwasher for them (nothing says “I love you” like emptying this kitchen appliance.)
I hereby invite you all to take the February 13th challenge: show your love for your partner not because it’s Valentine’s Day, but because it is…TODAY.
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