Ahhhhh.... the Day of Love, Valentine's Day, is upon us once again. Time to show your love how you feel about him or her. Romance is in the air. Thoughts of strolling hand in hand through the streets of Paris or along the sands of a beautiful beach fill our heads. Intimacy is what our hearts and souls long for, especially on the day of lovers. Unfortunately, for many of us, lack of romantic imagination can lead our "significant others" to falling into the trap of standard Madison Avenue advertising slogans that tell them to buy candy, most specifically chocolate, to show someone how much you love them.
Really? Chocolate?
Oh yes, and the industry has worked very hard for decades to push the idea that chocolate is the key to showing love. If one goes back to the Great Depression, where food and the necessities of life were scarce, chocolate was indeed the perfect indulgence that might show how special someone was to the giver. Indeed, during World War II, US GI's were issued chocolate as a morale boost. One of the side effects of the servicemen carrying chocolate was that locals in countries where battles were going on could barter their assistance in exchange for the chocolate, which was seen as a great luxury after years of war. Indeed, sparing a little chocolate was a small sacrifice to help make sure the locals were on "our side."
In a time of plenty, is chocolate still the right choice?
Not really. During the time of the Depression and World War II, obesity and overweight rates in America were still in the single digits when added together. Today, however, two out of every three adult Americans are either overweight or obese, with all the deleterious health effects that go with those conditions. That pound of chocolate you are thinking of buying comes with more than 2000 calories!
So, for those who would like something healthier to show their love to their Valentine, a few suggestions:
- MASSAGE - Like the photo shows, massage is a wonderful gift. It feels good and is very good for you, providing stress relief and relaxation, as well as increased blood flow and stimulation of your body's own immune system. And as a Valentine's Day special treat, massage also greatly stimulates the libido. And, after all, isn't that the heart of romance? For those who balk at the price of getting a professional massage, learn to give one yourself. There are many books available as well as classes. Take a class together to learn how to rub each other the right way. It's a gift that will keep on giving for years to come.
- A NIGHT OFF - One of the most romantic things you can offer your partner is a night off from everyday stresses. Turn off the phones, send the kids to their grandparents, make sure the house is clean and pretend like it's your first time alone together. Share a light yet nutritious meal together - you don't want to feel stuffed and uncomfortable before you relive your first night, do you?
- TRAVEL - If you have the means, schedule a trip (or fly off tonight!) to someplace romantic. The only thing that matters in your choice of destination is what is romantic to the two of you. If you like the beautiful city settings, it's hard to go wrong with classics: Paris, Rome, New York City, San Francisco. If you want something a little warmer in the middle of winter, Hawaii and Mexico offer beautiful beaches and warm sands. If you relish the winter snows and love winter sports, head off to the winter wonderlands of Colorado (Vail, Aspen, Beaver Creek), Switzerland (St. Moritz, Gstaad, and Zermatt), Austria (Innsbruck, Kitzbuhel, and St. Anton), Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in France, Stowe in Vermont, Italy (Cervinia, Cortina, and many others), or Whistler in British Columbia.
- A NIGHT OUT - A lot less expensive than jetting off to a wonderful destination is to stay local. Many hotels now offer "Romance Packages" that include king size beds, fireplaces, and Jacuzzi style tubs that are built to hold two people. Strawberries and champagne offer a romantic and lower calorie special treat than chocolate. Another option outside of the hotel arena is a romantic Bed & Breakfast.
- SHOPPING - This activity can be very romantic. Buy your lover something he or she would love to wear for you (preferably with nothing else!). Some studies claim that more than 10% of marriage proposals happen on Valentine's Day... so take her out to help pick out her ring. Another very romantic option is to head over to Victoria's Secret or any lingerie shop. Check out the goodies, and try some stuff on. Many people find shopping for lingerie very erotic. So, whether you buy something or just window shop, chances are that both your motors will be well warmed up by the time you get to your final destination.
Happy Valentine's Day to all, and may romantic dreams and imagination be better than a box of chocolates.
Comments