Serious Eats
How Can You Make Valentine's Day Fun Without Pressure?
Ever since I had my say about my dislike of Valentine's Day, I've been thinking about ways to ratchet down the pressure and the expectations and ratchet up the pleasure and enjoyment we derive from spending Valentine's Day with people we really care about.
If you have a significant other, find a way to actually talk to each other on Thursday night. My wife says that that is more likely to occur with me (a guy) when we sit side by side, so sometimes we search for a bar or counter to eat at. Other people without significant others at the moment can hang out in a communal celebration of friendship. But what kinds of communal things can you do for Valentine's Day without spending much money?
1. Have dinner at a casual, inexpensive neighborhood restaurant that basically doesn't acknowledge it's Valentine's Day. In our case, we hit our local Cuban-Chinese restaurant.
2. Inexpensive flowers are always good, even if they don't last much longer than one evening. By the time they droop, it's no longer Valentine's Day.
3. Split a pizza, but make sure it's the best pizza you can find where you live. Sharing a pizza is a serious bonding experience.
4. Buy a small (quarter-pound or smaller) box or bar of the best chocolate you can find. Nobody needs a pound of chocolate hanging around the house.
5. Eating fondue with other people is the ultimate communal eating experience. Whip up a batch of cheese, and if you were unlucky enough to get two fondue kits for your wedding, a batch of chocolate as well. If you have small children who you are celebrating Valentine's Day with, fondue is something they really relate to and enjoy.
Other ideas for casual, no-pressure Valentine's Day celebrations? Do tell.