Valentine’s Day is that magical day that comes around once a year that puts a man’s romantic side to the test. What? You don’t have a romantic side? Don’t sweat it. This day of love can make or break a relationship, but with these tips, you won’t go wrong.
When in doubt, buy a gift
Does your girlfriend celebrate V-day or does she detest it? Yes, it is true: some women hate this holiday with fiery passion. Without giving anything away, how do you find out? Well, you don’t. Here’s what you do, though. Find a meaningful gift for her, whether it is a card with a nice note inside, a gift certificate to a spa, or those Valentine favorites, the homemade coupons (“good for one backrub/car wash/dinner”). Hide it in your pocket until you feel confident giving it to her. But if she brings up how much she hates this “Hallmark holiday,” you are probably better off keeping it in your pocket until her birthday.
Speaking of gifts, avoid dolls, balloons, and boxes of chocolate
Unless your honey specifically requests these items, it is best to avoid them. These items reek of “I forgot it was Valentine’s Day, so I stopped at the grocery store on the way over.” Just don’t go there.
Make reservations weeks in advance…or better yet, cook at home
This is one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants. Because of this, do not count on slipping into a restaurant at 8:00 p.m. and being 
seated anytime before morning. Call ahead. However, if you are seeking a romantic atmosphere, a crowded restaurant may not be the way to go. Instead, try honing your kitchen skills.
Even if you don’t celebrate, spend time together
Just because she loathes this holiday, it doesn’t mean she wants to (or should) spend it alone. Make a pact to not say the V-word, while still celebrating your love (or hey, even you like) for each other. Watch a movie, bake cookies, go shopping, anything where you can be together.
Over-the-top cheesiness is best
Valentine’s Day is, without a doubt, the cheesiest holiday of the year. It is based around love, hearts, sappy poems, flowers, and all that other delightfully gushy stuff. Quit running from this fact and just embrace it. Take any idea and mock it, make it ridiculous. Are you thinking of making dessert? Bake heart-shaped cookies. Want to give her flowers? Leave a trail of petals throughout the house. This is the time of year when silly really works in your favor.
One good cliché: flowers
Unless she has allergies or an aversion to harmful plucking of innocent plants, she will love receiving flowers. Ever since middle school, when young girls desperately hoped to receive a single rose from their crush, women have always hoped (albeit, secretly) to get a beautiful bouquet on this particular day. Be sure you are aware of her feelings, however, before delivering them to her office. While many women would fall in love with a man who brought her flowers, other women feel it is inappropriate or unprofessional. It is best to tread lightly and have them sent to her home.
In desperate times, it can feel like any girlfriend is better than no girlfriend at all. Don’t be lulled into a toxic relationship by this attitude.
1. The Neighbor
You wave and exchange niceties every day. You pet-sit for each other. You crash each others’ parties. This is an easy trap in which to find yourself. She’s cute and convenient…why the heck not? Think back to your last girlfriend. Would you want to live next door to her after you broke her heart? Probably not. It would not only be awkward to see her every day, but think if you were to bring a new girl home sometime. Yikes.
2. The Rebounder
She’s just had her heart broken and is looking for a pick-me-up. Or maybe she did the dumping, yet her emotions are still scattered. You may feel like you’re rescuing her, doing her a favor by providing a distraction. In reality, she is likely not ready for any kind of relationship. It is bound to be tumultuous and emotions will run high.
3. The Wife
This seems like a no-brainer: don’t date married women, right? However, this is another situation a guy can easily find himself in. Maybe she doesn’t reveal her marital status right away, or maybe she promises you she will divorce her husband. Either way, don’t go there. Affairs rarely end peacefully. And the last thing you want is to wind up in the middle of a domestic dispute.
4. Just One of the Guys
Awesome! She hangs out with guys, so she must be cool. How could this possibly be a bad thing? It isn’t necessarily a bad thing if she is genuinely into sports, armpit-farting, or any of the other things guys may like. She might just be a tomboy. However, beware of the woman who has no girlfriends at all, despite being fairly feminine herself. She will claim that chicks are catty and she just likes being around men more. But more likely, she surrounds herself with guys who will make her feel attractive and desirable. Given the chance, any one of them would love to hop in the sack with her, and she knows it. It’s a manipulative move, and one that will ultimately leave you feeling insecure.
5. The Babymama
Danger Will Robinson! While it is not set in stone, it is a safe bet that a woman with three or more kids—each with a different father—is not interested in your heart so much as your child support. Veer away…or at least make sure you’re in charge of the birth control here.
6. Friend of an Ex / Ex of a Friend
The words, “friend” and “ex,” should never go together, especially when talking about relationships. No matter how you play it, someone gets hurt. Will that person be your friend who is still pining for your (now) girlfriend? Or will it be your ex, whose input to her girlfriend could very well destroy your budding relationship? No matter how you handle it, there are bound to be awkward moments, uncomfortable conversations, insecurities, jealousy, and possibly even ruined friendships.
We’ve all grown up hearing certain myths about the dating world. Myths often grow out of a once-truthful notion, which over time became outdated or inconsequential. Other myths seem to have no basis in truth whatsoever.
Myth #1: The man must pay on the first date.
This one had its heyday, but is somewhat old-fashioned now. In this time of equality among men and women, it is becoming the norm to go dutch (or, each person paying half). However, there’s a catch: some people have been raised to believe the man should still cover the bill entirely. The best thing to do if you are the man is to assume you will be paying, so as to avoid an awkward confrontation; if you are the woman, though, offer to pay half as soon as the bill arrives.
Myth #2: Sex on the first/second/third date is Relationship-Death.
Once again, this myth stemmed from an older time when a girl’s purity was more important than her personality. Fortunately, times have changed. More and more women are taking charge of their sexuality. Having sex early in a relationship no longer means he won’t call the next day. Nevertheless, a person should never give into pressure or move faster than to what they are accustomed. But if you both are feeling frisky, don’t let dated qualms stop you.
Myth #3: Dinner and a movie are a surefire first date combination.
No, no, no. A movie should rarely, if ever, be a first date activity. How are you supposed to get to know this person sitting awkwardly beside you, unsure of whether to hold your hand or whether he can make a quiet joke. Save that date for Round Three or Four. Instead, for a first date, focus on activities which encourage open talking: hiking, dining, bowling, sports games, etc.
Myth #4: You must wait three days after a date to call.
This is one of those dating games that tend to hinder, rather than help, a budding relationship. In the past, a person did not want to seem too eager by contacting his or her date right away. However, in today’s world of constant communication, not contacting your date for over three days may turn that person off. Don’t play games. If you had a good time, call or email and say it.
Myth #5: The man must make the first move.
Like the first myth about a man paying for the date, this one is also a gender-based oldie. Let’s face it: men today are not as brazen as they may have been decades ago. Luckily for them, women are becoming more assertive by the year. If, at the end of the night, your date begins the awkward, foot-shuffling, eye-contact-avoiding dance of the unsure and undecided, do him (and yourself) a favor and lean in for a kiss. While in the past, such a move might have been seen as wanton or even scandalous, today it is not only acceptable, but also downright appreciated by the shy boys.
