Valentines Day Tips

Tips for Shooting Cupid’s Arrow Straight Through Her Heart on Valentine’s Day

Attention all males that want to keep from being “shut o ,” or maybe dreadfully nagged for the next 12 months! Soon it will be one of your sweetheart’s most anticipated days of the year so listen up! If you’re the type that has to be reminded that VALENTINE’S DAY is on FEBRUARY 14, you either should take a minute to check your priorities, or, maybe your love interest is not very important to you (in your mind, anyway).

Even for the not too serious relationships, on Valentine’s Day, a small token is called for, or so that’s my belief. Maybe a single rose and a box of chocolates, or a night out with dinner at a local casual establishment is appropriate. If you’re at a point where you are unsure as to where your relationship is heading, I suggest you don’t try to avoid her because that will likely be very hurtful to her and if you end up becoming serious, she will NEVER let you forget it, if she doesn’t dump you immediately! For the more intense, long standing relationships, putting some thought into the day is a must, in addition to picking a special card for her. These are gestures that she will appreciate and expect. Choose a ne dining establishment if that’s what she prefers, or you could make reservations at the rst restaurant you went to on your rst date and surprise her with some roses sent to her o ce. Her co-workers will ooh and aah, putting a big smile on her face, and you can’t lose with this type of thoughtfulness.

For those who have been married forever, planning something special that is also personal will make her day memorable, and this type of e ort is non-negotiable (include a meaningful card, without a doubt). The latter is the category that me and my husband fall into. After several years of dating, followed by 25 years of marriage, we have spent more than half of our lives together. With this in mind, my expectation is that my husband will nd a way to make me feel special, even after all of our shared Valentine’s Days as a couple. Besides, there is always an endless list of things that will make me happy.

Being that I am somewhat easy to please, it really doesn’t take much to satisfy me. Only those in a relationship know the expectations of each other so always take this into account when you are choosing your plans or when buying gifts. Be it a dinner at home that he cooks, a night out without the kiddies, a few days away to just about anywhere, or a piece of jewelry that I’ve been hinting about since Christmas (lol), for me, any of these will do. The important part is that he puts the e ort into making the plans without my input. I must admit that my husband has not yet failed and that tells me all I need to know about what’s in his heart. The fact that he knows what makes me happy and does what it takes to make it happen, is what will please me the most, and this is the case with most females.

I am not a “ ower person,” but cards have always been something that I truly appreciate, especially coming from my husband. This may be surprising to men, but take it from a woman, we read every word on cards from our signi cant other so be sure that the card you choose makes sense for your particular relationship and is one that expresses what you haven’t said often enough throughout the prior year. Believe me, it may seem like a small gesture, but if there is any question about your feelings, this is the time to set her straight and it will go a very long way in warming her heart.

The prior year has been stressful for most people so make an e ort on Valentine’s Day to refresh your relationship. Yes, it is still possible to surprise her, even after a lifetime of being together, and it doesn’t have to require deep pockets to get it done.

So where is money being spent on Valentine’s Day across the United States? On average, lovesick shoppers shell out more than $21.8 billion in Cupid’s name each year. That makes Valentine’s Day the third-priciest holiday on the calendar for American lovebirds. According to statistics, most men usually purchase the same things each year; mainly candy, cards, and owers. More than half of Americans spent money on candy and 44% spent money on greeting cards in 2021.

Pre-pandemic, most couples ventured out to restaurants to spend time together over a romantic meal. Since the onset of the pandemic, dining out took a backseat to something di erent than what has been an annual tradition and ordering out for dining at home took its place during the past two years. In 2022, it is believed that restaurants will once again receive a good amount of pro ts.

In 2021, it is reported that more than 33% of shoppers spent $4.3 billion on dining out and $2.9 billion on owers. They also spent $2 billion on gift cards and $1.3 billion on greeting cards. An estimated 21% of shoppers spent money on jewelry to dazzle their darlings. In Rhode Island, be sure to visit Anthony’s Jewelry on Mineral Spring Avenue in North Providence because they o er the most amazing deals on gorgeous jewelry pieces that will drop the jaw of even the most particular partner, and you may just get a free dozen of roses, at no cost to you, to add to your honey’s gift.

Overall, Americans are expected to spend more than $27 billion on celebrating Valentine’s Day in 2022. The current economic downturn and rising in ation are not likely to be much of a deterrent for those determined to spoil their better half; but if it happens that you decide to cut the Valentine’s Day budget for the love in your life, you just might end up where you belong…on the couch or in the doghouse!