In case you didn’t know, the standard American date of “dinner and a movie” is really boring, uncreative, and overdone. So why is that when Valentine’s Day rolls around we just supersize the standard American date – dinner at a fancy, expensive place and a romantic movie? Is that any way to show your Valentine how special they are to you? I say NO, it is not! Doing something special, something creative, something out of the ordinary – now that’s the way you show someone they are special.

So here you go! I’ve provided the Top 10 Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day. Use one of them, all of them, or tweak them and make them even more unique. Just, please, in the name of all things romantic, don’t settle for dinner and a movie.

1. Heart Shaped Foods – Make a pizza, a cake, some brownies, or cookies for your sweetheart. You can pick up heart shaped pizza pans, cake pans and cookie cutters at almost a nystore that carries baking pans and utensils. Deliver your heart-shaped creation to your Valentine’s office or to his or her home in person. You might even want to show up all decked out in something sexy and fun (lingerie would definitely be an attention getter), unless, of course you are delivering them to the office. (That might get all the wrong kind of attention.)

2. Serve it with Love – Prepare a wonderful, homemade meal of your honey’s favorites. Then serve the meal on heart-shaped plates or plates with hearts or other Valentinish designs. Of course, the rest of the place setting should be Valentine-themed as well – the silverware, napkins, wine glasses. Don’t forget the candles and romantic music. Top it all off with by serving this meal while wearing something totally hot and irresistible.

3. Romantic Games – Game Daze carries a variety romantic games that will help you make this a Valentine’s Day to remember. They’ve got everything from card games, kama sutra games, and board games that will leave you anything but bored. Let go of your inhibitions and have some good old sex-filled fun.

4. Chrome Bedroom Dice – Head for the bedroom and leave the rest to the roll of the dice.

5. Professional Massage at Home – There’s nothing like a full-body massage by a professional. Arrange for a masseuse to come to your home (or hotel room) – one you’ve prepared with romantic candlelight, soft music, and other accoutrements. Arrange for one and watch your beloved get all relaxed and de-stressed. Or hire two and get your massages together, side by side, holding hands.

6. Romantic Picnic or Meal Outside – Prepare (or buy) a fabulous picnic lunch or dinner and take your sweetie a beautiful setting such as a hillside, a beach, a mountain top, the rooftop of a building, to a river or lake. The locations possibilities are endless. Pick a place with gorgeous, yet peaceful scenery – a place that isn’t too crowded.

7. Karaoke Serenade – Get up on stage and sing a love song to your sweet heart. Go all out as you proclaim your love using the perfect song (choose wisely). Do more than just sing. Present flowers to her/him, give him/her a lap dance, use a boa and sensuously drag and drape it across your Valentine. If you are into marriage and this is “the one,” take this moment to propose. If you are going with the latter idea, substitute a ring for the flowers.

8. Romantic Settings – Take your heartthrob to a romantic setting and just enjoy it and each other and the moment. How about beach walk at sunset, a scenic drive to a great sunset spot, a sunset cruise, a walk through a romantic park or town, a horse-drawn carriage ride, a gondola or canoe ride (You don’t have to go all the way to Venice, Italy for this one. You can also do this at Coronado in San Diego, Naples in Texas, and San Antonio, Texas, just to name a few). How about a horseback ride, a scenic train ride. You could arrange for this to end at a romantic hotel to spend the night. Just make sure to have the room prepared with romantic extras like candles, rose petals, wine, music, and clothes for the following day.

9. Pamper – A bubble bath has got to be the ultimate pampering. So pamper your Valentine and prepare the ultimate bubble bath. First get rid of any and all distractions (kids, dogs, phones). Set the scene. We’re talking candlelight, wine, soft music, and favorite bath oils or bubbles. Have a brand new, extra large, ultra-soft towel ready and the sexiest lingerie possible ready for post-bath
fun. This could be a great thing to give your sweetheart to enjoy all alone or something to indulge in together.

10. Surprise Romantic Getaway – This year, Valentine’s Day happens to fall on a Saturday making it the perfect time for a getaway. I think these are better when done as a surprise, though I admit it does take a bit more work on the planner’s part. Location, location, location. Pick one that will thrill your Valentine. Get it all ready – from the romantic flower petals on the bed to the practical clothes for the weekend. Get a friend to help if you don’t know what to pack or if the location is local enough that the friend can prep the room ahead of time. Hotel staff are also pretty helpful when it comes to getting the room ready.