I don’t know about you- but I’m always put off by Valentine’s Day advertisements that boast “great promotions” for “romantic getaways” and then break the news to you that a single dinner for two costs $420 or a three-night stay in a nearby resort costs more than a thousand dollars, sometimes two. It’s as if love has to come at pocket-searing price, and nothing short of a big dip in your newly paid out bonus will suffice.
Ridiculous, right?
Since prices are always marked up on the “big day” itself, why not celebrate it through the week or even month? If you’re like us just wanting to spend a memorable season with your loved one (read: not completely boycotting this calendar date because of the commercialization, and yet not spending incredulous amounts of money and getting ripped off), here’re Ten Things you can do leading up to Valentine’s Day!
So here goes!
1. Bake his favourite cookies and let them speak for themselves!
Cliff had mentioned his mom used to bake awesome peanut butter oatmeal cookies,
so here they were one Saturday morning! Will share this really easy recipe sometime!
2. Find a random day to surprise him with his favourite treat at home after work!
Cliff LOVES his cheese (the mouldier the better!), but we never buy it because good cheese can be pretty pricey.
But for a special occasion once in a while, it certainly can be worthwhile!
Present it as if you guys were in a restaurant!
3. Write a special note of encouragement and sneak it into his lunchbox.
I love adding special cat or bunny stickers because those are his favourite animals.
4. Watch an old childhood movie together-
you can buy and download it (legally) for just less than 5 dollars.
We had a great time singing to the tunes of Mary Poppins while watching it on Cliff’s computer screen.
(We don’t own a TV.)
Or actually, Cliff had a great and amusing time watching me bob to those familiar childhood tunes!
5. Send each other cheeky texts through the day. (Well, not just for Valentine’s but all the time!)
6. Eating out is not a no-no, but if you’re concerned about high prices for lunch and dinner,
and still want to eat at a “fancier” place,
try sharing a brunch at your favourite café!
Us after a morning jog by the Kallang river
7. This year, Valentine’s Day also coincides with the Chinese Love Festival
which is traditionally the last day of the 15-day long Lunar New Year.
Why not make it a cause for spreading love to the people around you by being a blessing together?
Zhou yeye and a Chinese New Year’s gift. We were so glad to see him wear it yesterday!
8. Sometimes, the simplest things are best-
leave your cell phones at home and take a walk around the neighborhood admiring nature together. Spot interesting moments!
Cliff being crazy and trying to mimic the black statue he spotted.
9. If you’re already in a steady relationship or married,
find ways to bless your community together by
sharing precious pearls of wisdom you’ve learnt in your relationship journey.
It can be as simple as blogging about it, or if you have the opportunity like us,
sign up to be facilitators for Focus on the Family and conduct some of their relationship talks at Junior Colleges.
Nothing beats sharing relationship wisdom together to the next generation!
10. Go all out, be random!
Why buy flowers costing twice the price on Valentine’s Day?
(I realize they even cost more through the Lunar New Year period).
One normal weeknight I returned home late from a course only to find a big bouquet presented to me at home:
“What’s the occasion?” I asked.
“It’s RANDOM FLOWER TUESDAY!” He replied with a big cheesy grin, “And because, YOU’RE MY WIFE!”
If you’re single, don’t feel left out.
Remember,
it’s always worthwhile to wait for the right person and be the right person yourself too.
How are you celebrating your Valentine’s Day?