This year, I hate Valentine's Day. Not because it's a commercial holiday. Not because I'm single. Not because flying babies with arrows are creepy. 

This year, I hate Valentine's Day because I'll have already spent enough money by the time Feb. 14 rolls around. It's the week after the Super Bowl, and I know I'm going to spend a fair amount to cheer hard against the Saints. Plus, it's on a Sunday, so I'll have already spent a weekend's worth of money. Finally, there's not much happening on a typical Sunday, so I'd probably have to go out to some fancy, $100/plate restaurant... and that's $200 that could have gone toward a much more romantic experience. Or jewelry.

That said, I'm not a total V-Day hater, so Rob and I are going to spend the 2010 holiday at home. (Oh, and we're throwing a Valentine's Day-themed Jersey Shore party on Feb. 13.) And I'll be damned if our date isn't going to be far more romantic than the typical $200 date.

First up on our list of needs: Food and drink.

Surdyk's is offering a special Valentine’s menu from their cheese shop, expertly prepared by their chefs. The menu includes three courses, with an optional salad course, for only $38.00 per person.

"This is a perfect option to have a gourmet, restaurant quality meal, but in the comfort of your home," Lindsey Coleman, Surdyk's Liquor & Cheese Shop, says. "No gratuity, no expensive drinks, and all the time you want to eat."

Among the delectable options: Pan roasted Loch Duart Scottish Salmon with crispy fried ginger, mashed potatoes, stir fried greens, and balsamic reduction. To order, call 612-379-9757 or email catering@surdyks.com - but be sure to give at least 48 hours advance notice.

Surdyk's is known for its impressive selection of wine and liquor, and there are numerous affordable options for Valentine's Day. Coleman's recommendations:

• The Marcel Martin Cremant de Loire (#29353 at $18.99) is an affordable substitute for Champagne, but still as refined and elegant as the real thing. This sparkling wine hails from an appellation in the middle of France's Loire Valley, Cremant de Loire, which produces dry sparkling wines using the traditional methód champenoise (used to make true Champagne).
• For red wine lovers, the Il Cuore (Italian for “The Heart”) Barbera from California’s North Coast (#34108 $16.99) is delicious and soft – a “Cal-Ital” style red wine that has outstanding quality. The bottle's beautiful label is perfect for the occasion, and the wine pairs well with any Italian-inspired dish.

Next on the list: Classy stemware, because I'm not toasting to our awesomeness with Target-brand coffee mugs.

If you're smart, and planning your night in advance, order a pair of Spiegelau champagne flutes. What I love about this product is the fact that it's dishwasher-friendly. (The last thing I want to be doing on Valentine's Day - or any other day, for that matter - is washing stemware by hand.) Spiegelau's incredibly affordable Festival flutes are only $14.90/pair. 

I prefer the the Vino Grande flutes (pictured at right), which are $24.90/pair, due to their "abundant amount of single glass size." Plus, they'll be perfect for the Marcel Martin Cremant de Loire we'll be drinking. You can order these flutes and more at SpiegelauWebStore.com.

Last on the list: A romantic activity. Massage anyone?

I can't think of a better end to the weekend than a soothing massage. One product I'm fond of is the Scandle. The Scandle is a massage oil candle that burns at 2 degrees above body temperature - so you don't have to worry about scalding yourself or your loved one - for up to 40 hours.

My favorite thing about Scandle is their commitment to sustainability. In addition to the refillable canisters, Scandles are made from 100% natural ingredients (including soy), so they emit less soot and toxins than traditional parrafin candles. Many of Scandle’s products feature Sinamay gift packaging - hand made by artisans in remote villages around the world, using natural and environmentally friendly fiber.

Rob and I love the Warm Vanilla Sugar Scandle, which is available at ABodyCandle.com for $20.95 or at Sabai Body Temple in Uptown Minneapolis (612-872-8354). Better yet, beginning the first week in February, you can purchase the Scandle Lovers Spa Set for only $39.95 (pictured at left). The set includes one Chocolate Dipped Strawberry scented Scandle in a pourable ceramic container, one Cupid's Wings scented refill and the aforementioned Sinmay twine box.

So, to recap: We could go to some stuffy restaurant, surrounded by boring people we don't know, and exchange overpriced roses for $300. Or, we could: Eat a gourmet, three-course meal in the comfort of our own home, toast to our collective awesomeness, top it all off with a massage, and spend half as much money.

And, hey, Rob's work is already done. Everybody wins!

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