Valentine.s Day Survival Guide
Hi there, it is me again, its been a while eh?
Sorry about that.
Today we are going to talk about something real. Something serious. Something looming. We are talking Valentines Day. The big V. V-Day, one of the most critical days of the year. One of the few days of the year that lets you sleep in the bed, or on the couch.
(FYI Ladies- This would be the part when you would call your man to come and read…)
There are two types of Valentiners. Ones that absolutely go over the moon for it, and ones that despise it. I happen to be somewhere in between those two. The day does not completely annoy me, however I’m not much for the random holiday thing. I not here to tell you which one you are. That is your business. But I will say regardless of which one you are. This year do something nice for your lady. She deserves it. Here is you guide:
Valentines Day does not have to be all-fancy-like with roses and dinner and makin’ babies. You don’t have to get all dressed up and go dancing. Don’t get me wrong all of that is fantastic and a wonderful evening. But to me, that is not what Valentines Day is about. Valentines Day is like Mother’s Day, without church. It is a time for you to tell your lady that you love her. It is her day. And it can be simple, and it can be romantic, and it can be knock your socks off fun all at the same time. Just be sure to make it your own. Don’t be typical.
You know your significant other better than anyone. Get her something that she really wants. Get her something that makes her feel pretty. Get her something that takes care of her. Get her something that tells her you appreciate everything she does. Get her something to tell her that she is perfect.
I’m sure you get her red flowers EVERY year, right? Well this year change it up. If you always give her red long-stem roses that you got on the side of the road for five dollars, change it up and get her white, pink, and red tulips. If you always give them to her when you come home from work, it will always seem like a last minute thought. Change it up this year and have them waiting in the bathroom for when she wakes up that morning instead. If you always have them in the morning, change it up this year, and send them to her office and surprise her there with flowers. That will make her feel good all day.
If you typically give her chocolates, change it up this year and bring home chocolates, a bottle of wine and make fondue.
If you typically give her jewelry, change it up this year and find a piece of jewelry that is different. It does not have to be diamonds, or anything expensive. Get her something that fits her style, something that when you see it in a store you can picture her wearing it.
If lingerie is in your repertoire each year, this year change it up and get her something different. Regardless of what you may or may not think, women do not want to wear that sexy stuff all the time. This year go for a practical gift like underwear or a nice bra. It will make your lady feel good about herself everyday she wears it. This year don’t buy something that she will wear once in a blue moon, go practical and get her something she can wear once or twice a week.
Now, do we need to talk about buying underwear and lingerie? Shame on you if you have never bought your lady something nice from Victoria’s Secret. Listen, if you are not man enough to go in there and pick out something nice, then your girl needs to move on. Go in. It’s not scary. It’s not confusing. And most of the time, there are attractive sales women everywhere! Go in there and ask, “What is the most popular bra right now? I need an everyday bra that my beautiful wife/fiancé/girlfriend/partner will love.” That will not only make you feel good about doing the right thing, but it will also make the attractive sales women give a you a nice smile and then take really good care of you. And in a last resort, if you just can’t bring yourself to do it, then the online store will have to do. Then you can browse as long as you need to.
If you are a dinner and movie at home kinda guy, change it up this year and YOU cook a nice dinner, or order take-out, or pick something up from her favorite restaurant and bring it home. If you like going out to dinner, take her to her favorite spot. Don’t take her to the sports bar, even if she wants to go. Take her somewhere nice. Get her to put on lipstick and a cute dress and go out to dinner and movie. Don’t take her to something dark or intense or scary (unless that turns her on…) take her to something girly and fun, a romantic comedy or something light-hearted.
Lastly, don’t get her something from the neighborhood drug store. Pay attention, man. Put some thought into her this year. It’s not hard. It’s not expensive. But it’s going to take some thought, and maybe some planning. But take the time to do it. Your girl is worth it. And it’s your responsibility to tell her that. Don’t mess it up this year. Surprise her. Make her smile. Make her laugh. Make her cry. Make her happy. Make her feel pretty. Tell her you love her.
(For the record, I am totally against the lingerie talk in this post. It goes against every modest fiber of my being. But Chris insists that guys need some direction in that department. Whatever. I’m still against it. However, since Chris hasn’t blogged in YEARS, I’m trying not to discourage him. So, this is me. Being encouraging. You’re welcome.)
24 Comments
Christina @ Marriage from Scratch
I LOVE this! Chris, you crack me up 🙂 Thanks for being honest and real..now I’m off to show my hubby 🙂
Amber@ClassyConfessions
You two both make me laugh so hard. I can hear you saying things as I read them. Now I am going to print this out and discreetly leave it for the boyfriend to find =)
Abby @ I Used To Have A Brain
Spot On! You are a SMART man Chris!
September
In our house lingerie as gifts is referred to as “a bowling ball named Homer.” Fans of vintage Simpson will get the reference.
Ally Garner
I’m not to keen on lingerie talk either, but I’m posting it on my blog tomorrow as well. Chris is right – men need direction. I learned this from experience last year via my sweet, well-meaning (but clueless, bless his heart) husband. Emailing this to him pronto. Thanks y’all!
Chelsea
You go, Chris!! I’d share this with every guy I know!
Kristin
Good tips Chris! Katie, I don’t think the lingerie talk is over the line. After all, your blog is geared toward married people. 🙂
Ashley @ A Recipe for Sanity
Hey, I think Chris is a brave man for talking about the lingerie topic. Most men I know won’t even attempt it…and yet they want to see that stuff! I don’t think he was over the line at all. After all, don’t most women wear underwear? 😉
Men do need direction! Nice job, Chris…good to see you blogging again!
Jenn @ Shopaholic to Small Town
HA! I totally agree! Why are men so scared of going into Victoria’s Secret? You would think that it would be their favorite store! My husband finally man’d up and went inside VS this past Christmas, and he did GREAT! Got me the cutest practical PJ set that was totally me! It means so much when guys get something for YOU and not something they want to see you in! Good advice Chris!
Alaina
Ok, I’m emailing this to my husband for sure…I love this! It’s not the over the top stuff that matters, but it’s what you do if you’re doing something you know would make her happy. Love it!
Lorrie
Great job Chris! This is definitely something every man needs to read to make Valentine’s Day less scary.
Kiersten
Chris, thank you so much for posting this. I’m totally going to share this on facebook and hopefully my man will get the hint. Also, it’s wonderful to hear you post again. I enjoy reading from your and Katie’s posts. Keep it up!
Mindee@ourfrontdoor
Love it. I would just add that I work in a building of all women and they LOVE having flowers delivered because it makes a gigantic statement to everyone who see them that their man appreciates them. Flowers delivered to work count double to flowers given at home.
momiss
Thank you for this post. If I could go back in time, this would have helped my last boyfriend. Since I can’t go back in time, at least I have the certainty that I made the right choice in moving on. Also, to Mindee@ourfrontdoor; I disagree completely. Flowers delivered to work are all about what others see. I’ve lived long enough to know that flowers delivered at home are the only ones that actually count, since it’s a gesture that is made between the two of you. It counts more if you are the only one who sees it. But when I was in my 20’s I thought the same as you do now.
Jenna@CallHerHappy
Mike and I always write each other a quick little love letter telling each other something we loved about this past year. It’s quick, thoughtful, simple and meaningful! Also, Valentine’s day is in celebration of St. Valentine, so it’s not all that random. Maybe you’ll like it even more now 🙂
AManPassingBy
It kills me that wife isn’t a lingerie girl. She is strictly a lights out under the sheet kind of girl.
The love and respect you share is simply amazing.
Jami B
Love this… If I could just get a letter like you wrote to your wife(in his own words) that would be the best gift ever!
Ann G-B
Very nice post. My husband also reads MC and I telling him to read your post as I type. But…. fancy lingerie is fine – but stay away from the very day stuff! It involves spandex and stuff….
Jen @ Caved In
You speak like a man of experience in this field. Well done. One thing my husband does every year is get me a different kind of flower: orchids one year, tulips the next, a magnolia bonsai tree, whatever the most random thing he can find. Some guys thing the gifts need to be all showy and huge when in reality, we ladies just want to know you’re thinking of us when you buy something.
Casey @ The Baker Bee
Chris, so nice to hear your voice, again! (Or read your voice… whatever.) Great post 🙂
Kat
Now you need to do a post on how to get your husband to read this post….I’ve been scheming.
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JoHanna
Katie, I’m all for being modest but I think Chris hit the nail right on the head! It was perfect and it made me giggle. My husband even read it 🙂
Skwerl
“There are two types of Valentiners. Ones that absolutely go over the moon for it, and ones that despise it. I happen to be somewhere in between those two.” uhh… sounds like three types to me.