Romantic Date Ideas for Valentine's Day

It's that time of year again. The day when we are all allowed to express our feelings of amore (love), lust, and general affection with mass consumerism for that special someone in our lives; not that you shouldn't be telling your love how much you love him/her everyday in between. I have some great ideas for you, (but don't tell your singleton friend's because they tend to get grumpy on February 14th!)

Picnic in the Park: Let's start with the less expensive, but oh so romantic date ideas. Not a lot of money to spend? No worries. Pack a home made picnic lunch in that basket you have shoved into the back of the closet from Christmas. You know the one; someone bought you some generic gift pack loaded into a cutesie basket and you pulled out the stuff you'd actually use, threw the rest away, and shoved the basket it all came in into the closet, figuring you'd find some use for it later. Well, it's later. Make some fried chicken, potato salad, and fruit, or maybe just some wine, and cheese, and fruit! Heck, even peanut butter and jelly is more fun in a picnic lunch. As long as it's best eaten cold and travels well. Now, tell your honey you're both going for a little drive. Don't tell him/her that you packed a lunch. Drive to the nearest, or best park in your city. It's a good idea to already be familiar with the park so you know where the best spot is to park and enjoy some outdoor time together. When you arrive, take a blanket out of the trunk (don't forget a blanket, some napkins, maybe a pillow, anything that might make your lunch al fresco more cozy). He/she will be suprised at this point. Grab your picnic basket, and bottle of wine, or sparkling grape juice (depending on open container laws in public parks), and take your sweetie's hand and stroll to your pre-picked spot. Personally, I like parks with a pond, or river running through it. It's just so much fun to watch the ducks, and the squirrels. If you have one such, bring along some old bread, and unsalted nuts to feed the animals.
A private, outdoor lunch is a very intimate, and inexpensive way to spend time with the one you love. It also makes for a great, first date idea! After you enjoy your lunch, snuggle with your honey and tell each other 10 things you love about each other. By doing so, you might just find you're both feeling wildly tender, and fantastically frisky! Just don't do anything that might result in a ticket for public lewdness!

Compose a Love Song: Are you musically talented? Do you play a romantic instrument (such as acoustic guitar, flute, cello, or just sing?) Then write your sweetheart a love song. Pour out all your feelings lyrically, or musically. The best birthday present I ever received came from a guy I never actually met in person. He was someone my best friend used to know before she moved to Texas. They kept in contact by phone and the occasional letter. I spent the night at her home often in my late teens which is how I met him, by phone! His name was Chuck. He lived in California, and when not working his regular day job, played in a band at night. We got to know each other by phone, exchanged some very sweet, and sometimes steamy letters, and on my 19th birthday, he called me, long distance (before we had unlimited calling plans), and played a song he wrote for me over the phone. He played keyboard. So he both sang, and played for me. It was ever so sweet, and I remember blushing while listening. I thought it the most romantic gesture I'd ever received. You can present your song to sweetie while on your picnic date, or maybe, just having dinner at home.

Write an Old-Fashioned Love Letter: This previous story leads me to my next, not just iexpensive, but free suggestion. Poets of old knew how to turn a lady's head with a well written verse. Byron, Shakespeare, Coleridge, Wordsworth, Blake, and Burns, were romantic poets of the age. While it may sound silly to a man, let me just say that a real man knows the value of the written word to a woman. We love it!!! So pay attention. Write your lady a love letter. Don't know what to say? How about you write about the first time you two met? You can also tell her how much she means to you, and recall a particular moment when she did something either extraordinary, or maybe it was something so simple that meant the world to you. Tell her why you chose her. Tell her how many times a day you think about her, even the steamy thoughts! Describe what you desire about her physically (your favorite feature), and what drives you crazy, in a good way, about her personality. Guys! If you do this (on pretty paper, please), she will cherish it forever! Believe me, she will brag to her friends, and you will be one lucky gentleman that evening...and probably for at least a good month thereafter. If you prefer poetry, and are particularly adept with the turn of a phrase, you might consider making this letter into an epic poem: an Ode to your lady love.

Ladies, for your part in the letter writing scheme....write your man a steamy letter. Tell him why he's so wonderful to you. Share details of some of the wicked thoughts you have about him when you're apart. Guys love wicked details! As a writer of erotica, I must tell you, my largest audience is men. The more details, the more vivid the picture in their mind. Be naughty on paper. However, don't use trite, vulgar language. Be imaginative. If you're describing something you'd like to wear for him, be sure to say its color, shape, texture, and how it feels against your skin. The more you relay senses through words (i.e., touch, taste, scent, sound, and sight), the more turned on he'll be. Distract him with a hot kiss, then slip this letter into his pocket or briefcase before he goes to work (if he works on Valentine's Day), and follow through with whatever you write him that night. He will be in a tizzy all day. I'd be surprised if he didn't take the rest of the day off after reading your letter! So be prepared.
Start bringing out the wallet now.

Go Salsa Dancing: It's energetic, and fun. Find a good Salsa Club in your city (in San Antonio, we have Arjon's). Put on your best club clothes, and take your darlin' dancing. It doesn't necessarily have to be salsa dancing, but let me tell you; salsa dancing is Hot! It's very sexy. Ever watched Dirty Dancing; Havana Nights? Maybe you should, just to get the idea. Salsa dancing, or Latin dance in general, is very suggestive. It's all in the hips! Latin dance is about flirtation, power, smoldering sexuality, and defines the age-old roles of men and women, with the man taking the lead, and the woman, following. It may not apply to your everyday relationship, but for one night, experience la passíon.

A Romantic Dinner for two: Now that you've taken you sweetie dancing, you may want to follow it up with a romantic dinner for two. Even if you skip the dance, dinner is always on the menu! Find a lovely Italian restaurant (or restaurant of your choice, but make sure it has dim lighting, cozy seating, and a little privacy). The idea is not about eating, but dining together, staring into each other's eyes, and feeling connected. Remember, if you're planning some sexy acrobatics later, keep your dinner light! It's like swimming after eating; not a good idea. Have a little wine with dinner, and share a desert. Eating off the same plate is a sign of great intimacy. It shows how wiling you are to share yourself with someone. (this is for those who may be on a first date.)

Gentlemen, the little things you can do to make a simple dinner date special are these: open doors for her, pull out her chair when she seats herself, ask her what she wishes to order, then order for her when the waiter comes, offer her a bite of what you're eating off your own fork (if it's different than what she's eating), and when desert comes, slowly feed it to her, maintaining eye contact as she takes each bite! Reach across the table, and hold her hand. Tell her how beautiful she looks in the candlelight. If you do these simple, small things, you will reap the benefits of what you sow!

Take a Carriage Ride Around the City: This works well within cities that are large enough to accomodate carriage rides. Never toured your own city? What a great way to start, with your sweetheart at your side. This is a great idea for after that dinner for two! Again, it promotes quality, alone time with the one you love. Take advantage, and have one of those long, deep conversations about your thoughts, dreams, and each other.

A Weekend at a Bed and Breakfast: If you have the time, and the money to spend, you can't go wrong with a weekend out of town at a charming Bed & Breakfast. Many people here in San Antonio enjoy such weekends in our beautiful Hill Country. Towns like Fredericksburg, Kerrville, even New Braunfels, have reasonable rates for their B & B's. During the day, you can explore the wineries, shops, parks, and at night, have a cozy dinner before returning to your quaint room for some private time. You might only be an hour from home, but these types of get-aways are sure-fire romantic jump-starts to a relationship; whether old or new.

You may have noticed that I haven't said "send her/him flowers". I saved it for the end. Flowers are never unappreciated. They are the oldest form of romantic suggestion. Remember that each flower holds a different meaning, with the red rose being passion. White symbolizes purity, and yellow means friendship. Ask your florist the meaning of each flower, or just tell him/her what message you are wanting to convey. Then, they will pick out the flowers that say what is in your heart. Flowers are a great add-on to all these ideas and suggestions. You can never go wrong with flowers.

I hope these ideas help to make your Valentine's Day memorable, romantic, and completely steamy! Love on!