v'day special: couple's night!

Finally, we've made it to the last set of Valentine's Day inspiration! We've been through dates with yourself and your best friends, so today we'll talk about some ideas for what you could do with your significant other. Since it's already the day before Valentine's Day, all of the things that I'm going to suggest are super easy and are not things that need to be widely planned or need reservations. Whether staying in or going out, we're going to keep it cute and casual this Valentine's Day.

I think it's really sweet when couples spend a night at home, giving all of their attention to each other. Recently, my mother and stepfather started to watch Breaking Bad, and now nearly every night, they spend time in the same room and marathon the show together. While it's not considered a "date," at least they are spending a lot of time together! It's the one thing that takes them both away from their computers and any outside stresses (although sometimes my stepdad has to work while watching).

So I think that if you and your boyfriend or girlfriend want to stay in for Valentine's Day, you absolutely should! You can treat it just like a date night. And it also means that you can be a little bit more dressed down than you would if you went out to an expensive restaurant. But if you wear a nice top, blank pants and a pair of heels, I don't see how you could go wrong! You could make a meal together if you are the kind of couple that is at least somewhat decent in the kitchen. Even if you aren't, making something simple like a steak or some stir fry could at least give you that at-home feel. If you mess something up, there's always take out! Take advantage of that dimmer on your light switch, light some cheesy candles, and have your meal without the television on, focusing on talking to each other. Then when you're finished, you can get a little bit more comfortable. Kick off the heels and binding clothes, toss on one of his favorite work shirts or one of your best big t-shirts and cuddle up on the couch. Pick something to watch that will keep you engaged like Breaking Bad or something that will have you laughing at its cheesiness (then peeking between your fingers) like Night of the Living Dead. Bonus points if you end up making out in the middle of it like you're on a movie date in high school. (Also, share a giant box of chocolates with each other while watching. Then they're finished faster and you don't feel so badly after eating the whole box yourself!)

If going out together on Valentine's Day is important to you and your significant other, consider doing something different that you normally wouldn't together. For example, only go for a fancy dinner if that's something that you both like to do but never have time for. But if you can avoid the crowds and waiting time for too-expensive food, you absolutely should! Instead, do something that's fun and keeps you both laughing. For example, go ice skating or roller blading! I know these things might not be the most romantic, but think of how much fun you'll have watching your significant other fall on his/her ass! Some other ideas would be sharing cheese fries and playing pool, going cosmic bowling and placing bets on who gets more strikes, or maybe if you're somewhere warm - hitting arcades or playing games at the nearest boardwalk. Try to do something immature. We are far too serious every other day of the year!