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Step right up, Valentine’s Day is in town for one day only!
I hate Valentine’s Day.
No I’m not just saying that in hopes that I get a surprise delivery of 100 long stem roses followed by a limousine ride to a three-hatted restaurant at sunset by the ocean, whilst I am serenaded by a French man playing the piano-accordion, dining on a glass of Dom Perignon and lobster. (To my boyfriend, that is not a code or a ‘read between the lines’ message!)
I remember reading an article couple years ago where Valentine’s Day was compared to a circus, and it stuck with me because it couldn’t be more true. Florists and restaurants are the ringleaders commanding your attention to buy your girl flowers or take her to their fancy restaurant whilst we’re the clowns thinking this is what our partner wants.
Don’t buy into the commercialism of the day; you know your partner and what they like – so think outside the box rather than what you feel is anticipated of you.
Now don’t get me wrong, I am a huge cheese ball, I have love song playlists on my phone and two of my favourite movies are The Notebook and Titanic, so there’s no denying I love everything romance 364 days of the year. But when it comes to the 14 February I take more notice that it’s my cousin’s birthday.
Sure in theory it’s a special day but if you need one day a year to be reminded how much your partner loves you, you’re not in the right relationship.
I remember texting my boyfriend on a lunch break one day with details of my horrible day, how sick I felt and all I wanted to do was go home and cry. He reassured me it’d be over soon and that’d he’d come past to visit when I got home. On his way over, he stopped by a grocery store and bought me a $10 bunch of flowers, ‘just because.’ To me that gesture is more thoughtful and meaningful than a delivery of flowers because he thinks its ‘expected’ of him.
Don’t buy into the commercialism of the day; you know your partner and what they like – so think outside the box rather than what you feel is anticipated of you. For those who are a little time poor, I’ve put together five non-cliché ideas for this Saturday.
Stay in
Why not channel your inner master chef and cook dinner together. No one has to worry about long line ups, expensive bills and getting home after. Grab some groceries, a nice bottle of vino and cuddle up on the lounge and watch a movie, PS. Toy Story 3 is on channel 7 at 7:30 this Saturday (you’re welcome.)
Check out one of Sydney’s festivals
This weekend Sydney hosts both the Greek and Chinese New Year festivals. Think of it like a mini holiday to Greece or China!
Go to Sydney Wildlife World
Located in Darling Harbour, the park is home to a butterfly sanctuary which allows you to walk through and be amazed by the different species of butterflies within the enclosure.
Check out an art gallery
Most of Sydney’s art galleries have free entry, with a fee charged to attend the current exhibition.
Go on an adventure
My boyfriend and I recently caught the ferry to Darling Harbour and walked down to Circular Quay. We ended up passing through a Serbian festival, a wedding and QVB. Pack a picnic and just see where you end up.
For the gentlemen out there, don’t just assume we want you to splash money at us without putting in any thought. Of course any jeweller or florist will tell you ‘that’s exactly what she wants.’ My best advice is to pick one of the low-key ideas above and save your money, and surprise her throughout the year with $10 flowers after a bad day or a bottle of wine when she invites you over for dinner.
And to the ladies, don’t send subliminal messages to your guy and expect him to know what you’re talking about. He’s not a mind reader and it’s not fair to just ‘assume’ he should know. If you say you want to spend a night at home than nine times out of ten that’s probably what will end up happening. Don’t have expectations, chances are he’s put some thought into the day so be grateful that you have someone special to share the day with not how many roses they send you.
Before you know it the circus known as Valentine’s Day will pack up and headed for the horizon, until it heads back to town next year.
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