Preparing for the Perfect Valentine’s Day

Many people are intimidated by Valentine’s Day. Expectations and outside pressures often have them screaming SOS for help in knowing what to do. In the end, they pick up last-minute gifts and feel obligated to pretend they’re in the mood. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Preparing for the perfect Valentine’s Day can be a whole lot of fun if you take your time, are creative, and keep all your loved ones in mind as you go through the planning process.

Because no two couples are the same and every person in a relationship is unique, it’s important to celebrate you as a couple or unit rather than to focus on just your partner. This unit might include family members or other loved ones, depending on your lifestyle or how you choose to celebrate Cupid’s favorite day.

For more on how to make Valentine’s Day perfect and more memorable this year no matter what your situation or romantic status, read on. You might surprise yourself and pick up some new traditions too.

Setting the Mood

Okay, so maybe you don’t need to go as far as dousing your kitchen and living room in pinkish hues or even paper hearts or lips. But, if you want to get in the mood for the perfect Valentine’s Day, it’s never a bad idea to think about the mood in your home too. Whether you and your partner plan to hit the town or spend a quiet night together at home, being surrounded by things that remind you of love will set the right tone.

Start simple. Why not spruce up the kitchen with plants and wall art that remind you of that favorite date you had or the night you first kissed? No one said Valentine’s Day can’t last all week. Start decorating early before you even lockdown plans.

As you get ready to plan your day, grab a notebook and write down a list of your loved ones’ names. This can go further than your romantic partner (if you have one) and can include relatives and friends too. This Valentine’s Day plan is also singles-approved. Once you have the list of names, think about what each person enjoys and how they might like to spend the day. Don’t forget to put yourself on the list. You deserve to be celebrated too and self-love is perhaps the healthiest sort of love there is.

When you see repeats or common themes, you are one step closer to planning a Valentine’s Day to remember. For example, if everyone on the list, or even just you and your partner, enjoys karaoke, that might be exactly what you should plan to do. A group date to a karaoke bar sounds fun. Or, consider picking up a machine you can hook to your television and plan to spend the night in. If it’s puzzles, foods, baking, or even a particular type of movie, that will be handy information too. Work on that list until the perfect idea strikes you.

Bringing in Flowers

No Valentine’s Day is ever truly complete without some sort of flowers or greenery. While you don’t have to schedule a dozen rosebud Valentine’s delivery unless it’s a tradition for you, think about ways you can keep some traditions that make the holiday feel as it was intended. It should be about love, relationships, and even winks at Cupid. If roses and chocolates are things that make you and your loved ones think of this, it’s okay to stick with standard options. But challenge yourself to go one step more. Homemade cards, little trinkets with personalized messages, dry flowers, or paper flowers are all options to consider.

If the common thread on your list was science fiction movies and Grandma’s apple pie recipe, why not combine the two? Plan a movie night with a pile of your favorite movies while munching on fresh apple pie. And, this year, buy flowers with themes that speak to you. Maybe you can still get those long-stemmed roses but display them in a Star Trek vase to match your theme. Add vintage Trekker napkins and special drinks and everyone will be in for a treat.

From your mood-set room, you could be in for quite the night of romance or even just laughs with friends and family. Depending on who you plan to spend it with, don’t forget to think about lighting. Keep the cell phones and video cameras handy too. You’ll want to remember your one-of-a-kind take on love and what it means to truly surround yourself in it.

Getting Creative

The mood is set and you have a creative plan for how you’ll spend Valentine’s Day but before you jump in the car for those bodyboarding lessons, get creative once again. While your efforts with this plan will likely be appreciated, you’ll want to be sure your partner feels appreciated too. To do this, find unique ways to tell him or her you love them. Maybe slip a note in their bag, car, or on the bathroom mirror. Tell them why you love them and thank them for being the person you get to spend the holiday with and for all the things they do for you. Bonus points if you can find or make a unique card that matches the theme you came up with.

Candy Hearts for Everyone

Whether planning a night that includes alcoholic beverages and that trip to the karaoke bar or beach for those surfing lessons, pack some special candy in your bag or leave them out on the kitchen counter. Like the flowers, it’s always nice to have the classic tokens that say I love you around as you celebrate the day for love.

Not convinced? No matter what your relationship status, you can have a fabulous Valentine’s Day with people you love. If you don’t believe it, get that notebook out now. A simple gratitude list for the people you care about can set the mood as fast as any bouquet, box of chocolates, or love song could. With some creativity, an open mind, including all the people you love, and just taking the time, you might be surprised how quickly Valentine’s Day planning can turn into a labor of true love.