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Sandi Braithwaite
Tell Your Honey to Take a Hike!
Before you hastily dump your date for Valentine’s Day, stop writing your “Dear John/Jane letter” and allow me to finish the thought I started with my headline: Tell your Honey to take a hike with you on Valentine’s Day!
So many holidays and celebrations are centered around food. It doesn’t have to be that way! There are so many things to see and do, why limit ourselves to dining out or giving and receiving candy to show our sweetheart how much they mean to us?
And just to show you that eating is not the only activity known to mankind, I’ve put together some suggestions for indoor, outdoor, inexpensive, and some not-so-inexpensive things to do to show the love of your life how much you care:
Ideas for staying in (A.K.A. Cheap Date):
- Create a soothing atmosphere with soft lighting, scented candles and relaxing music and have your partner treat you to a massage.
- Play cards or board games with another couple.
- Take in a movie at home, think: Romantic Comedy.
- Make a fire in the fireplace and spend the evening looking at old photos that chronicle your lives together.
Ideas for going out:
- Take a hike, walk, or a bike ride together.
- Take in a concert or local stage production.
- Visit a museum, art gallery, or zoo.
- Spread out a blanket and watch the sun set as you exchange love letters.
- Go on a long scenic drive with no destination and sing along to a CD of your favorite songs. (Okay, this is something my hubby and I would totally do….)
- Find an indoor rock climbing wall to climb together.
- Spend a romantic night away at a local hotel.
- Go for a couple’s massage or spa treatment.
Non-chocolate gift ideas:
- Spa gift certificate
- JEWELRY!
- Flowers
- A day of shopping
- Gift certificate to their favorite store
- An edible fruit arrangement
So now, when your sweetheart turns to you and asks that dreaded question, “What do you want to do?” you’ll be ready with lots of fun, calorie-free suggestions.
Here’s a great quote from Dr. Oz, “Once you start thinking of special ways to treat yourself, dozens more will come to mind. You'll find yourself automatically popping open a bottle of bubble bath rather than the bubbly, passing the chocolate store on the way to the florist, and dialing the theater for tickets to a show rather than ordering in pizza.”
So, how will you and your sweetheart celebrate Cupid’s favorite holiday?
About the Author
Sandi Braithwaite, from our Consumer Relations Department, has been a member of the HMR team since 2002. She has her hands in several areas of the company, from marketing to being a weight loss coach. When Sandi’s not working, she’s teaching dance & exercise classes & cooking up new recipes.
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My favorite part of the holiday is receiving pretty cards or emails from my friends and family and making a delicious healthy meal at home! I haven't had any chocolate/candy today....but I did make a delicious chocolate shake with cherries and it was yummy!!
by sailGirl on 02/14/2012
Thanks Sandi for these great suggestions!
by debbiec on 02/14/2012
This year, my sweetheart treated me to a weekend yoga philosophy retreat! What a way to celebrate the heart!
by AliciaFullLife on 02/09/2012
I love Valentine's Day because it is a day set aside to show the people you love that you appreciate them. It is NOT about chocolate. I plan to make fun heart and valentine crafts with the kids and tell them what makes them so special to me. We make homemade cards for each other and for aunts, uncles, cousins, friends etc. I usually make a nice homemade meal with some red fruit for dessert. I always tell my husband to skip the chocolates and the flowers and instead, since I'm a big fan of fancy tea (yes- I'll admit it!), he buys me a few different new loose leaf teas for me to try. In short, I like for our family to focus on the "love and appreciation of each other" aspect of Valentine's Day vs. the more commercial aspect of this day.
by PeggyKerans on 02/08/2012
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