What are your Valentine's Day Plans?

[Natasha]

Aaaahhh, I knew this question would come up eventually http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

We'll probably just have a quiet dinner, hardly anything out of the ordinary except maybe a kind of special bottle of wine and, of course, some chocolates...

I admit that I am not a fan of Valentine's Day. I find that it's so hyped and I don't like the idea of needing an excuse to feel romantic or to let someone know how much you care. I love it when my SO and I have spontaneous (or planned) romantic dinners whenever we choose, rather than based on the calendar. Also, I would never choose to go to a restaurant that night because how is it romantic to spend an evening with your SO and a million other people?

I know I sound like the Grinch who Stole Valentine's Day, but it's not that I'm unromantic - I just don't put much emphasis on that particular day.

Sorry. I hope I haven't insulted anyone. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif I do look forward to seeing how others spend this day!



[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 01-16-2001).]

[JJ40]

Valentine's Day is a marketing strategy aimed at making money and making single people feel worthless.

Bah humbug!

(Can you tell I'm single????) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Julie

[Michael Smith]

Julie - Valentines day is okay - it's just a day that if you plan to eat out, get a reservation in early or count on getting a table by 10:00 PM! Don't let it get you down - go out with another single friend or plan a Valentines potluck with your single girlfriends and complain about men!

Good luck and by the way, I'm sure there are many singles on this site who might share your feelings!

Michael

[BethR]

Natasha and Julie -- I agree both of you. Both my husband and I think it's an over-hyped marketing strategy of a holiday. I don't think anybody intends to make singles feel worthless, but the end result is that it can and does (I remember that feeling). Whenever my husband and I feel like having a romantic meal in or out, or getting flowers or something else nice for each other, we just do it. We ignore Valentine's day.

[kwormann]

Cant help it....love V day.....First date w/ DH was on Feb 12 and got married the next Feb 12...great time of year for us, so we always combine into a long romantic weekend......

Kim

[Laura]

Hmmm. It's a school night, I have 2 kids, my fiance has 3, dance, hockey, youth group, doing homework, yep....that's pretty much it. I tend to agree with the rest of you that the day (like most holidays) has taken on much too commercial of a meaning and is not even close to why the date is celebrated. I am only vaguely familiar with the story of St. Valentine but I believe he was a priest who was jailed and either wrote letters to, or received letters from, a young girl that were full of encouragement. Not quite the hype of today's marketing.

Still many of us are so busy in our everyday lives that we tend to forget the people around us and fail to let them know how much they mean to us. So...if Valentine's day is the day that causes you to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you then it is a day worth celebrating (but we should try and remember to do it more often http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif)

[Gina O]

I like Valentine's Day because it is one of the few times during the year that the candy shop nearby makes white chocolate covered strawberries. If that isn't a reason to celebrate, I don't know what is!!!!

I will be out of town on business, so I have no plans at all. I am trying to think of a nice little gift to give my SO, but so far coming up blank. If he is in the office that day, I may send him flowers or cookies... actually, I wonder if I could figure out a way to have his favorite dessert delivered to the office. May have to work on that one. Gina

[Susann]

Natasha, I completely agree with you. I hope I don't offend anyone, but VD is corny to me. The best part of the day is arguably my favorite candy-conversation hearts!!

DH and I celebrate 2/13 instead-the anniversary of the day he proposed to me.

[hhcowgirl]

Maybe I just haven't had time to get cynical about it yet, but my SO and I are going to a romantic bed and breakfast in the TN mountains the weekend before Valentine's Day, then to this WONDERFUL, quaint little italian restaurant here in Nashville called Cafe Nonna for the 14th. I plan to get him some new ski gloves, too. Now don't go thinking he is the cheesy type, all of these plans were definitely made at my prodding! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Nullsy]

Valentine's Day is very over commercialized. The local grocery store has had it's valentine's stuff up since last week! Roses suddenly cost 50 bucks a dozen, unless you buy them from the guy on the side of the road then you might get a deal. Even the price of a decent card is 4 dollars. My husband and I decided not to buy into this "holiday". Of course we will probably have to celebrate on down the road since we have 10 month old twins and once they get into school then I'm sure it becomes a big deal. Needless to say there is one good thing about this day. The day after, when all the candy is half price!

[BarbaraL]

I also dislike the over-commercialization of Valentine's Day; especially because it's my birthday! We usually go out to dinner a different night because of the crowds, so I cook my own birthday dinner (boo -- have to REMIND DH about take-out!). Also, I remember in college as popular girls got tons of candy and flowers on MY birthday (I always managed to be between boyfriends on Valentine's Day); my roommate was also bummed; she had a boyfriend, but he didn't do anything for Valentine's day. Glad to report things did improve for both of us in later years! But it does remind me of a line from Charlie Brown's Christmas -- something like "I know I'm not popular, do they have to have a holiday to emphasize it?"

[BarbaraL]

Sorry for the multiple posts -- something's screwy with my computer -- my posts didn't appear, so I re-posted!

[This message has been edited by BarbaraL (edited 01-17-2001).]

[This message has been edited by BarbaraL (edited 01-17-2001).]

[Laura Wick]

Dear PJB:

I really like St. Valentine's Day. I appreciate the comments of those who feel left out. (in high school, I NEVER received a token from a boy, and it hurt to see so many others getting them). My daughter is a freshman in high school, and they seem to have the right idea. All the girls give each other tokens--none of her friends are dating yet.

I also agree with all those who feel it is so commercialized. We celebrate by dressing the dining room table for the holiday, and usually leave it there until the end of the month. We put red candles in silver candlesticks and add little porcelain cupids that fit over the candles, like a ring on a finger. We have had the candlesticks and porcelain cupids for many years, so this is a tradition, and nothing new is purchased.
To save time when you return home from your trip, you could dress your table before you leave, and that would provide a pleasant welcome home for you both!

Usually on St. Valentine's Day, or a weekend night close to the 14th, we (husband, daughter & self) have a nice dinner with something chocolate for dessert. In addition, strawberries have to be in the menu somewhere, perhaps in the salad or in the dessert.

For friends and family, I make a Valentine gift that is easy to mail--cookies made in heart cookie molds. These are fairly large cookies,about 4 X 4" and I send one for each person in the family. After wrapping each one in saran wrap, I present them in colored cellophane with a ribbon tied at the top, or in pink, red or white tulle. Some years they are wrapped extra fancy, and some years less so, depending on the amount of time I have.

Think about starting traditions that say how much you care without having to spend a lot of money!

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

[56grapeape]

I'm planning on making dh and dd little brownie hearts with melted chocolate spread on top, then decorate, and then maybe make linzer heart jam filled cookies!

I even like the Harryanddavid idea of making strawberry "rose" flowers! (see their new Feb issue magazind cover)

rachelle ~:0)

[BernK]

We will probably just stay in for the night. We have never had a good night out on Valentines Day. We don't exchange gifts just cards. My husband is not very romantic but he did propose on Valentines Day. Like many of you we don't plan our romantic dinners etc. by the calender or when Hallmark tells us to.

[BarbaraL]

Once again, sorry for the multiple posts. Yesterday my posts didn't appear; today my edits aren't appearing, so I hope this takes eventually!

[This message has been edited by BarbaraL (edited 01-17-2001).]

[SueK]

My husband is usually out of town at a conference over V-Day every year. This year he will be here, so we'll be making a nice, elegant, child-friendly dinner here at home, and my daughter is into "helping" me in the kitchen now, so she'll get in on it. It's actually more fun watching her get a kick out of making valentines, and getting them from her friends, than it is for the adult version of Valentine's Day!

My husband and I usually do go out sometime in Feb to a restaurant where we had our rehearsal dinner, only because he travels so much so we use V-Day as an excuse for a parents night out!

[Jessica]

I am not a big fan of Valentine's Day; one year, all of us in Reporters Row showed up dressed in black from head-to-toe.
My DH will be out of town anyway. I probably will cook him a special dinner on another night--maybe a CL steak recipe so he can see that steak can be prepared in a healthy way.

[LUCYT]

I don't put much importance on VD either. But this year since my SO and I are into exploring new places, I made reservations at this wonderful looking place (from what I see on their Web Site) in Northern CA near Redding. I didn't even realize it was Valentine's weekend until the owner mentioned it would be a great place for romance on VD.

[Natasha]

Oh, thank goodness some of you agree. After I wrote that I cringed thinking you'd all hate me!

Barbara - what a pain that you can't go out on your birthday! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif Jessica, that idea about wearing black for Valentine's Day is classic. Too funny.

[Danielle]

I happen to have a gift certificate to stay overnight in a local hotel. Comes with a bottle of champagne, box of chocolates, two free drinks at the bar, and a breakfast voucher for two the next day. We're going to use it the weekend before Valentines, since it falls on a weekday this year.

[Wendy w]

I am in total agreement with Natasha (we still love you) and those of you who feel that Valentine's day is too commercialized. Even though I have a SO, I still feel that way.

It seems as though the holiday is manipulated by the floral, greeting card, candy and jewelry industries. It is like they are forcing you to GET romantic OR ELSE!

If you don't get that $50.00 bouquet, the one that goes for $25.00 the rest of the year, that 3 lb. "frou-froued" box of candy, or that big diamond, you are unloved. Or if your SO doesn't think of purchasing any or all of the above, they are thoughtless cads.

My personal favorite is the "special" dinner where the price is marked up and the restaurant is crowded, loud and you are shuttled through like cattle with a 1 1/2 hour time restriction on your table so they can get the rest of the "romantic" couples through. They seem to do this on Easter and Mother's Day as well.

In the past, I too have worn black and given VDay a humbug. My boyfriend and I will probably just exchange cards and make a nice dinner the weekend before as we did last year.

I know other couples who don't really get into it either. We all feel that it is about how you treat each other the rest of the time that counts.

[This message has been edited by Wendy w (edited 01-16-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Wendy w (edited 01-16-2001).]

[PJB]

I know this is early but I am getting ready to take a 2 week vacation to Hawaii and we return home the day before Valentine's Day so I need to plan now. I think I will make a nice romantic dinner at home for my wonderful husband since we have a baby and we will be just returning from a trip but I don't have any ideas of what to make yet. Any favorites out there? Any gift ideas for your significant other? What are your traditions, favorite Valentine's Day ideas?

[matt]

Well this is going to be hard one. Last year my father died on Valentines Day. I really do not know what to expect on the Day of Love. Knowing me I will be with the other half, however, I don't know if I will be in the mood to go out and celebrate.

[SueK]

Matt- Sorry to hear that. My dad passed away the week before last Thanksgiving, so I too am going through all the "first" holidays. Take care and try to hang in there....Sue

[JanetB]

I have never been a huge V-Day fan. Although, my BF tried to change this view. The first year we were going out he went all out. We went to the Water Club (really nice expensive resturant on the water - no kidding - in NYC.) He got major points for this though - he was so sick. He should have been getting his tonsils out - but it was a long weekend that year - and I think the doctor had plans - so the doc drugged him up. He had the tonsils taken out as an emergency a few days later! I thought the resturant was weird. It had hundreds of tables of two - with all of the chairs facing the view. It was strange.

So, we decided to play it down the next year - so we made reservations a month early at our fave Little Italy place. We got there - they had added about 30 more tables to a really small room, and bumped up the prices. I was not only sitting in the way of the bathroom (and could smell it, ugh!) - but also practically on some large man's knee! We left and got pizza on the corner. I couldn't take it.
This year - - I'm cooking! At least I know the food will be good and not go up in price! I'm thinking of making a salad, a heart shaped pizza (figure I will just cut it into that shape),and, a choc. fondue with lots of fruit and pretzels. Hopefully that will work out well!

[ChrisF]

Had to share my Valentine to Remember Day:
I am usually very low-key about Valentine celebrations for many of the same reasons mentioned in these posts. *However*, two years ago, for some unknown reason, I got it into my head that I wanted to make a Romantic Statement on V day. I noticed an ad in the local paper that the barbershop quartet association would do a 'surprise serenade' as a fundraiser for their group. And-yup-I commissioned them to drop in on my husband. Well, first I cleared it with the high school principal where he teaches, and she thought it was very sweet and romantic ("the kind of thing that teenagers need to see!"--that should have been my first clue as to what lie ahead!) On V day, the quartet, in their red and white striped blazers, stopped into the office and the principal escorted them to my husband's room. DH about died...the class went nuts with applause and girls got teary-eyed with emotion...my 16 year old son who was a student in that class was mortified!...and needless to say, not a lick of productive work was accomplished for the rest of the period. DH wasn't angry, but did say "PUHLEEZE--just a card would be great--I already believe that you love me!!"
So, no more big romantic holiday celebrations from me! LOL!
Chris

[HDgirl]

ChrisF,

That's really great. Me, like alot of you will cook in. We will go out after the 14th.

I would like to share something that I have been doing with my children since they were small. The "Valentine Fairy" comes to my house and leaves chocolate, etc. under their beds. They always looked forward to it. What is funny now is they are "teen angels" and they expected it!! It's still fun to do it for them.

Cheers!

Karen

[Mousie29]

Make dinner at home....

After reading this, I think my DH and I will make dinner at home. WE are super busy at work this time of year and we are thinking of making the CL favorites Greek Spaghetti Scampi Shrimp.

This is our 3rd together and last year we had bible study, which is the best way we could celebrate, even though we didn't do "anything". We've never had a romantic meal in our home where we've (had a kitchen)lived for 3 months, so this sounds like a good time to do so.

[luv2cook]

I think I smell a Cookie Bouquet basket coming for VD. Much rather have that than roses that die. I freeze my cookies and then defrost and have with coffee on weekends...
VD falls on Wed. this year. Will probably cook something special and try to make my mother feel special - considering she doesn't have a boyfriend at all or even a date, yet is only 51, in shape and has a nice personality and loves to go! Sad...

[gabbyh]

I will be spending this Valentine's Day at Gazebo Lake Chalet, which is in Western Australia...my Aussie husband and myself will be celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary on Feb 13th in the Country we were married...hopefully sipping some good Aussie Chardonnay and eating passion fruit vanilla slices!

[food girl]

I don't have any plans yet, but the heart-shaped pizza sounds like something DH would like.

I usually make my husband's card, but I try to find really funny ones for my single friends.

I usually give my unattached-and-not-dating friends those little Godiva 2 piece things and a card. Is that cheesy? I really love my single friends because they don't nag me about having a baby http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Lisa

[shoyski]

For once we are actually going out but we normally celebrate with just a card (I love to give and get cards all year long!).

Some friends of ours who love wine just as much as me found a cool restaurant who will be having a six or seven course dinner with a different wine for each meal! This restaurant will cater to us all night so it appears I won't have to battle crowds and it's a set price from the get-go.

I was a bit skeptical about going out but this sounds like it'll actually be fun and relaxing. And if I drink all six glasses of wine, maybe too relaxing!

[This message has been edited by shoyski (edited 01-21-2001).]

[MrAlaMode]

Hello, Im new to this site and just found a V-Day recipe Im thinking of trying out. I found this at www.************* (http://www.*************) .com. Tell me what you guys think...

Raspberry Chocolate Heart Tart


Serves 8
-- Recipe Provided by Nestle Tollhouse Est. preparation time:
Est. cooking time:
Est. refrigerating time: 10 mins
10 mins
5 mins

Ingredients:

1 purchased refrigerated pie pastry for 9-inch pie
1 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
2/3 cup NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups raspberries, rinsed and dried
1/8 cup sifted powdered sugar

Directions:

PREHEAT oven to 425° F.

PLACE pastry circle with plastic removed on lightly floured surface; roll out slightly. Trim small amount of pastry away to form heart shape. Place heart on ungreased baking sheet. Turn edges under 1/2 inch; flute. ***** pastry with tines of fork.

BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on baking sheet on wire rack.

MICROWAVE morsels and sweetened condensed milk in medium, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract. Spread over crust. Refrigerate for a few minutes or until chocolate is set.

ARRANGE raspberries over chocolate; sprinkle with powdered sugar.

[shoyski]

Whatever, Mr. Pie In Your Face. See replies from your hot chocolate pitch.

[shoyski]

Whatever, Mr. Pie In Your Face. See replies from your hot chocolate pitch.

[kwormann]

I think it worth mentioning my plans at school for V day...we are going to study the body and nutrition, and have a heart healthy V day party with fruit and veggies and healthy dips! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Kim

[Wendy w]

Give it to him Shoyski!! Emilycat will be proud of you!!

[Wendy w]

Atta girl Shoyski, give it to him!!! You are very polite in suggesting that the pie go in his face! This is getting me to want to boycott anything from Nestle's! In fact, I think I will.

Kim, I am happy to hear that your VD in the classroom will feature healthy foods! It is so important that they learn good eating habits now.

Excuse the other post, I didn't think it "took".

[This message has been edited by Wendy w (edited 01-21-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Wendy w (edited 01-21-2001).]

[TamiK]

Your posts make me jealous I'll be sitting in a class for my Master's degree until 10:30 at night and DH will be LONG asleep when I get home. Boo hoo, sniff, sniff. Unfair, isn't it. We'll have to do something wicked on the weekend.