Spring Break
Sex & the Cigar
Valentine's Day edition
By Scarlet Buns, Tina Fookmi, and Bambi Trousersnake
Issue date: 2/10/09 Section: Editorial/Opinion
02/10/10 - Dear Sex & the Cigar,
This is the first year that I've had a girlfriend on Valentine's Day, and I know for a fact she's expecting something special. I don't know what to do; maybe it's just because I've been single at this time of year in the past, but to me Valentine's Day is just another day. I hate that I'm expected to get her cards or chocolate or flowers or all of the above and treat her extra special just because. On the other hand, this girl is really special to me, and part of me thinks maybe I should put my crabbiness aside because I know this day, no matter how stupid I think it is, will really mean something for her. So if I'm going to do this, I don't want to be like every other guy, buying candy and flowers and all that crap. So what can I do?
- Clueless
Dear Clueless,
I can completely sympathize with your dislike for Valentine's Day. It is a commercial holiday and, in my experience, only really results in unnecessary competition among couples and guys and their friends. However commercial it may be, I think it is a great excuse for couples to take one day out of their busy lives to remind their significant other what they mean to them.
I, personally, am all for going over-the-top corny and romantic. Now I'm not suggesting you go cover the bedroom in rose petals and candles and play Marvin Gaye in the background. That's been done before way too many times and is losing its effect.
Unfortunately, since it's February and we live in New England where it's freezing, we're kind of limited as to our Valentine's Day plans. A lot of cute, outdoor plans aren't going to work.
This might not be easy or do-able if you live in a dorm but one idea would be to make her favorite meal for dinner and have an indoor picnic. Yes...I am suggesting that you eat dinner on the living room floor, one room away from a perfectly functioning kitchen table. I also would encourage you to blow up a bunch of balloons (with helium) and cover the ceiling with them.
This is the first year that I've had a girlfriend on Valentine's Day, and I know for a fact she's expecting something special. I don't know what to do; maybe it's just because I've been single at this time of year in the past, but to me Valentine's Day is just another day. I hate that I'm expected to get her cards or chocolate or flowers or all of the above and treat her extra special just because. On the other hand, this girl is really special to me, and part of me thinks maybe I should put my crabbiness aside because I know this day, no matter how stupid I think it is, will really mean something for her. So if I'm going to do this, I don't want to be like every other guy, buying candy and flowers and all that crap. So what can I do?
- Clueless
Dear Clueless,
I can completely sympathize with your dislike for Valentine's Day. It is a commercial holiday and, in my experience, only really results in unnecessary competition among couples and guys and their friends. However commercial it may be, I think it is a great excuse for couples to take one day out of their busy lives to remind their significant other what they mean to them.
I, personally, am all for going over-the-top corny and romantic. Now I'm not suggesting you go cover the bedroom in rose petals and candles and play Marvin Gaye in the background. That's been done before way too many times and is losing its effect.
Unfortunately, since it's February and we live in New England where it's freezing, we're kind of limited as to our Valentine's Day plans. A lot of cute, outdoor plans aren't going to work.
This might not be easy or do-able if you live in a dorm but one idea would be to make her favorite meal for dinner and have an indoor picnic. Yes...I am suggesting that you eat dinner on the living room floor, one room away from a perfectly functioning kitchen table. I also would encourage you to blow up a bunch of balloons (with helium) and cover the ceiling with them.
