Another Valentine’s Day is around the corner and couples who have had enough experience should be well aware by now that it could go either way — good or bad.
A special planning certainly promises a dream relationship for the many days, weeks or even months to follow. One that is sloppy, however, could mean a sour future, not to mention the risk of sad breakups.
Here is how best to do your part to make sure you avoid that precipice and embark rather on a more delightful journey of romance this February 14.
Show Your Partner How Much You Care!
The primary reason why we celebrate Valentine’s Day, or a whole range of anniversaries and birthdays for that matter, is that we demonstrate in the process how much we care about our partners and how deep our affection is for them.
So it doesn’t necessarily require the fanciest plan or the most expensive gift. In fact, they might sometimes produce just the opposite impact.
Example? Here you go:
Imagine, for instance, someone ordering a giant, collectible teddy bear for his/her partner. Are those toys cheap? Absolutely no! Some of them, in fact, could be as big as 10 feet high and cost over $1,000. But what does such a gift really indicate? Love, sacrifice, dedication? Barely so!
The thing is our imaginary friend’s partner would know upon receiving that gift right away that it doesn’t take more than a few minutes to order such an item online.
Maybe it was just the only thing our friend could think of as a gift at the eleventh hour and found it really convenient to have it sent with a few clicks. Maybe its recipient is allergic and cannot even stand the sight of such a massive grizzly or doesn’t have enough space in his/her apartment to keep it.
The list of setbacks could be much, much longer and a happy outcome is actually only a tiny possibility.
So, do not attempt to trick your partners and yourselves into an illusion of affection with careless planning and poor execution.
Discover the Magic of Surprise!
What matters above all is that we took the time to think of how to make our better halves feel happy and special on a given day. And the element of surprise is often key to making sure that is the feeling transmitted as a result.
Therefore, it is best to ask yourself this question now, preferably before making hastened arrangements for this Valentine’s Day: What makes a good surprise for her/him and how could I employ it as part of my plan?
It could take different forms for each and every one of us, as we and our partners are all unique in our own ways of life, hopes and fears, likes and dislikes. Hence, you should make your partner’s key characteristics and choices fundamental to your planning. Paint it to his/her colors as good as you could.
The bottom line, however, is that, by starting to think of it well ahead of the big day, you have started to invest on your image as a lover and how you will look when you set your plan in motion.
Practicalities in DC: What, Where & How
If you feel like you have had enough lecturing on philosophy, let’s now move on to some practical tips for some planning in our beautiful D.C.
One of the offbeat ideas for this Valentine’s Day could be taking your partner to one of the mesmerizing ice rinks in town.
The Watergate Hotel’s rooftop, the phenomenal Top of The Gate, for example, is always a fantastic choice for ice-skating during winter, but it gets even more beautiful every February 14. There, you can enjoy majestic views of the city skyline while skating hand-in-hand. And when you feel like it, you can stop by the rich bar at the rink’s center for a drink or two. It shouldn’t cost the two of you more than $150.
The Wharf Ice Rink, however, could produce the same impact for even less with its elegant location by the waterfront. Here, you can treat yourselves to some hot beverages and seasonal specialties at over three-dozen restaurants nearby.
Or, if you want to skip the sports part and would be more interested in getting cozy with your partner the winter style, you can consider joining Wunter Garten’s Après Ski Party at 1101 First Street NE.
As part of this annual event, the business transforms its beer garden into a comfortable ski lodge that replicates the quintessential ski cabin complete with a whiskey and bourbon bar, couches and a fireplace. Perfect, isn’t it?
Don’t Miss This Chance to Wine & Dine!
If you know where exactly to go for the most romantic dinner date in town, there is hardly any better time than Valentine’s Day to savor your bites out. Here are two fine locations to do so:
First is certainly the cozy French restaurant, Chez Billy Sud, at 1039 31st Street NW. Inside a gorgeous Georgetown house, this is absolutely one of the best restaurants for couples around the city. With mouthwatering specialties from the hands of skillful chefs, it is an exquisite place to dine.
And the second is another true representative of the dazzling Mediterranean cuisine, the Filomena Ristorante. Also in Georgetown, this Italian restaurant has been enchanting its patrons from around D.C. and the Greater Washington area for nearly four decades now.
Featuring a tremendous selection of seafood and wines, it is a place where you surely will enjoy every single bite and sip.
Book an Unforgettable Performance!
For sealing this February 14 as an unforgettable day for the two of you, another brilliant idea is to take your partner to an event you cannot stop talking about even much later.
Consider watching A Thousand Splendid Suns, an emotional play on the lives of two brave Afghan women, adapted from The New York Times bestselling novel Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Expect nothing less than an unforgettable performance on the Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater!
If you, however, want to include more laughs in your date night, you can check out stand-up shows by terrific comedians Ian Edwards or Pablo Francisco. Each promises a strong bonding after intense sessions of laughter.
And the idea to strengthen your romantic bond brings us to our final suggestion for this Valentine’s Day: An evening of stunning love songs by the America’s Got Talent winner, Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
With him singing on the stage, there is absolutely zero chance for your plan to fall short of leaving the best possible impression on your partner.
Enjoy!
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