Countdown to Valentine’s Day

If you haven’t started your Valentine’s Day preparations, fear not. Here is a quick and easy countdown of what you need to get done, along with some tips for how to give everything a little added thoughtfulness.

Week of Jan. 11: Start thinking about date night. Do you want to go out to dinner? Would you prefer staying in and making something together? Whatever you are planning, this is the week to start looking up phone numbers or recipes, planning for a babysitter and coordinating both of your schedules.

Struggling for some unique date night ideas? Here are a few examples, all of which you’ll have more than enough time to bring together.

• Go on a retro date. Whether it’s reenacting your first date together or doing something you haven’t done in years, celebrate your past and all of the great memories you’ve shared,
• Break up the traditional date night. With Valentine’s Day on a Sunday, you might not be able to go out as you normally would, so plan “mini-dates” you can enjoy all month long. Surprise each other with spontaneous ideas to bring the excitement of date night to every day.
• Double it up. We typically don’t think about double dating on Valentine’s Day, but the special occasion can be a great excuse to make time for friends you haven’t seen in awhile. After your night out you can relax at home together and enjoy some well deserved down time.

Week of Jan. 25: Hopefully you are well on your way in planning the date portion of your celebration, and now you can move on to the gift. The key for the present isn’t the price tag, but the thought you put into it, and how it reflects your appreciation of the relationship. Spend this week really thinking about how you can add a personal touch to really allow the gift to be all about the two of you.

Looking for some fun suggestions? The Carlton Cards relationship experts offered up these ideas for great Valentine’s Day gifts.

• De-stress together. Want to give the gift that gives just as much back? Sign you both up for a couple’s massage. You get to spend time together, un-wind and, best of all, relieve any stress that may have accumulated over your busy days.
• The gift of a compliment. Is your special someone a foodie, crafty or a classic do-it-yourselfer? Whatever their hobby, let them know how good they are at it with a gift built around their pastime. Give a cooking enthusiast a basket with a new recipe book and fun kitchen utensils. Surprise a crafter with a great project idea and all the materials to complete it. Or, embrace the motivation of a do-it-yourselfer with a gift card to a home or hardware store so they can delight in any task they have been itching to take on.
• Pair a great gift with a future outing. Give the gift of a new outfit and the choice of a favourite restaurant to attend. Another fun idea, for the sports enthusiast, get them a favuorite team’s jersey and tickets to a future game.

Week of Feb. 8: Welcome to the home stretch. It’s now time to put all of your planning together to offer a great celebration of your relationship. As you finalize your plans take a second to consider how you could incorporate all of this relationship love into your everyday life.

How could anyone possibly work this kind of planning into an already busy schedule? Easily actually. According to the Carlton Cards relationship experts it’s all about making all of your interactions and sentiments a little more special.

• Do the little things together. Rather than going off on your separate chores, do them together to spend some quality time with just the two of you. It might not seem romantic, but this time away from work and kids is a great chance to connect.
• Work on a project. Whether its planning your next vacation or finally getting around to building that garden you’ve both always wanted, the time spent figuring out all of the details will be exciting and, ultimately, very rewarding.
• Never underestimate the little gift. It can be the sweet greeting card letting them know how great they are or a thoughtful dinner they didn’t expect. These small acts of kindness and affection are typically inexpensive, but they are also very much appreciated, and a perfect way to let that special someone know how great they are.