Last-Minute Valentine's Day Ideas That Actually Don’t Suck

Guys and girls — remember that New Year’s resolution you made about a month ago, hidden among your promise to work out every day and to stop forgetting to call your mom back?  Something about not procrastinating, was it?

Sounds about right.  Hopefully you’re still going strong on this one, but in case you aren’t (and let’s be honest, you’re probably not), I’ve compiled a few ideas that are about to help you out big time.  Because — hopefully you’re not realizing this for the first time – February 14th is right around the corner.  Does Valentine’s Day ring a bell?

Maybe you should go ahead and set yourself a reminder for next year now.  But, in the meantime, consider these eleventh-hour ideas:

1. Buy tickets to something you both love.

Your favorite band, a cooking class, or a quick weekend getaway are sure to please.  Find something special you can do together, and they’ll never guess you bought the tickets an hour ago in a last-minute frenzy.

2. DIY candlelit dinner.

An oldie but a goodie.  Your favorite restaurant may be booked solid, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have that romantic dinner.  Not much of a chef?  Try something basic — it’s the thought that counts, so long as no one ends up with food poisoning.

3. Plan a city tour.

What’s your city known for?  Play tourist for the day.  Tour a museum, visit a landmark, or try a hole-in-the-wall restaurant.  Top it off with somewhere that’s special to the both of you — maybe it’s the spot with a view overlooking the city or the place you had your first date.  For all they know, you could have been planning every stop on this excursion for weeks.

4. Netflix and chill, Valentine’s Day edition.

Stay in and watch all the bad rom-coms you love to hate.  Light a few candles and order a heart-shaped pizza to complete the theme of the night.

5. If all else fails, embrace it.

You waited until the last minute, and now you have to deal with the fully-booked restaurants, wilted gas station flowers, and having the last pick of Walgreens’ chocolate.  So go with it: give your valentine the depressing flowers and take them to the first restaurant that has an opening.  Laugh about it with them.  Chances are it’ll be more memorable than most couple’s plans, and maybe it’ll even turn into your new tradition.  It’s not really about the fancy restaurant and bouquet of roses, after all.  And the good news: there’s always the other 364 days of the year to do something special for the ones you love.