Ah, Valentine’s Day. Either the happiest or saddest day of the year. As for me, I see it as ‘Single’s Awareness Day.’ For many, spending time with a loved one makes for a wonderful time. Although not everyone has a valentine this year, everyone I’ve asked has an idea of what they’d like to experience on that special day.
I asked three guys and three girls a few questions about Valentine’s Day. First, I asked the guys to describe their perfect Valentine’s Day. So, here are what the guys are thinking. Remember, take these tips with caution.
If you want to go all out, “start [the day] with breakfast in bed,” suggests freshman marine biology major, Logan Cummings. If your Valentine’s Day starts in the morning as opposed the the usual ‘evening date,’ it gives you a great amount of time with your valentine. This could be good or bad…depending on who you’re with. Cummings also suggests “[eating] chocolate under the stars.” Also thinking about food, freshman environmental science major Keir Magoulas would appreciate a home-cooked meal and then popcorn during a “movie on the couch.” I guess it seems that finding a romantic way to give or make your guy food may be a good idea.
Cummings also mentioned that he would enjoy an excursion. “I would take him out to the top of Rattlesnake Mountain, which is a short hike in Maine where you can see at least 30 miles in all directions.” Fortunately, we live in Tampa, where an outdoor excursion would be a lot more pleasant as the weather doesn’t hit -9 Fahrenheit when the sun goes down, where it does in my home state of Maine.
Or you could postpone your Valentine’s Day, which freshman finance major Codie Harrison thinks is a good way to celebrate. “I guess the perfect Valentine’s Day would be postponing it to three months later when the weather is nicer and there aren’t a bunch of crowded nice restaurants to get into.” Well, it’s practical. It may make for a day that doesn’t feel obligatory. On Valentine’s Day, one is expected to share romantic time with their valentine. If the date were postponed, it could feel like it’s more special, as they aren’t expected to express their admiration. On the other hand, Valentine’s Day has an ambiance of romance, so it can feel good to celebrate with that.
Then, I asked the girls what are some good and bad ideas for gifts. Pay close attention, as you may mistakenly pick from the ‘bad’ options by accident.
Ebonie Carter, a freshman biology major, would appreciate “flowers and chocolate. [If he brought] me to the movies and dinner, that would be a good gift, too.” The traditional route is always safe. Flowers, chocolate and a movie is simple and romantic enough to make for a good Valentine’s Day. Mollie Putnam, a freshman film major, suggests going all out. “I’d like surprise tickets to see a concert, a trip to Harry Potter World, a trip to an amusement park, any sort of surprise, or sex.” Let’s be real, any of these would be perfect.
Emma Simard, freshman communications major, seems to agree. “Sex is a good gift. I’d also like a boyfriend…” Although that would be nice, you don’t have to have a boyfriend to have a good Valentine’s Day.
Interestingly enough, the girls were able to compile quite a long list of what they would not like to receive.
“OK,” begins Carter, “bad gifts would be wheat grass, any gift followed by ‘I got this because it reminds me of my mom,’ lemons or a doormat. Also, don’t give me a Swiffer.” I think we have some more serious issues to worry about if your lover presents you with wheat grass.
Remember that joke where someone pretends to forget your birthday and then ‘remembers’ and surprises you with a gift? “Yeah, that’s a bad idea to do on Valentine’s Day. It’s not funny,” says Putnam. The surprise isn’t worth the horrible feeling you’d get after thinking your boyfriend/girlfriend forgot the one day of the year dedicated to romance.
Corny gifts are also a little awkward to receive on Valentine’s Day. “You know those customized romance books you can put you and your boyfriend or girlfriend’s name in?” asks Simard. “It’s like a romance novel with your own names worked in to it. You’d think it was cute, but it’s mostly creepy.” Agreed; after searching online, I’ve found vampire erotic novels advertising something like, “Put you and your lover’s name in this sexy and smutty bestseller.” Not all customized books are like that, but they’re still a little disconcerting. I don’t think I’d like to read a pre-written sex scene with my name in there.
Whether you have a valentine or not, make the most of your day. Hang out and have a good time with your single friends…or cry alone in your room and eat a whole box chocolates whilst listening to Adele, which is what I’ll be doing. Or, if you have a valentine, make their day perfect or get them gifts they’d love to receive. Hopefully, some of the ideas that were listed article will give you hints on what you should do…or what not to do.
Annabella Palopoli can be reached at annabella.palopoli@spartans.ut.edu