Make Everyone Happy This Valentine’s Day

We are a week away from Valentine’s Day, which means the pressure is on. If you are in a relationship, you are probably scrambling to make last minute plans. If you are in this boat, take a step up and remember you have a whole week ahead of you. This isn’t mission impossible.

Do you need to pull out all the stops this Valentine’s Day? (Photo: Alamy)

Before you start to panic, pause and reflect on a few things. To start, what would make you and you partner happy? So many people think of Valentine’s Day and immediately think flowers, chocolate and dinner. But is that really you and your partner? Will those chocolates just sit there for weeks as the flowers die? Just because it is tradition doesn’t mean you need to stick to it. Think outside the box of chocolates! If your partner loves veggie platters, screw it, and get him or her one shaped in a heart. And if a formal dinner isn’t for you, skip it and order in.

Next, let’s talk gifts. Every single commercial on television will say you need to get each other a present, but that isn’t necessarily the case. In real life, you know your partner and whether or not gift giving or receiving is one of their love languages.

If you like to receive gifts, then your partner probably already has something in mind. But if not, feel free to drop hints to help them. There is no need to have them suffer and fail miserably. It can still be a surprise if you list a handful of things. That way you still don’t know exactly what the surprise may be. Or on the flip side, maybe you and your partner hate gifts. If that is the case, just save your money and put it towards something you both actually like such as traveling.

Keep Valentine’s Day simple this year. (Photo: Getty Images)

Another thing to consider is that while Valentine’s Day falls on a Thursday this year, you are not limited or restricted to that day. We all (hopefully) have jobs. If you can’t make plans during the week, honor the big day over the weekend before or after instead. While you are at it, you can even extend it to the whole weekend and make a quick trip out of it. Whatever you do, it is really the thought and time together that counts. For all that matters, Valentine’s Day can be an hour if that is all you need to make your partner feel special.

So whether you are big into Valentine’s Day or not, make sure you spend it with someone special. No matter what you decide to do or not do, it is who you spend it with is what matters most.