I’m here for you guys. I’ve learned from some past experiences, and I’m here to pass on my little bit of knowledge to you with these simple tips.
As if Wal Mart and Walgreens haven’t tipped us off enough with their rows and rows of pink and red aisles, I’m here to let you know that Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching.
This means that girls’ minds are spinning out of control with lovey-dovey fantasies that even the Lifetime channel couldn’t make into a movie. It also means that every male on the planet is being pressured to be romantic for a holiday
that some say has been created by Hallmark.
I’m here to clear some things up for the disgruntled men who are dreading February the 14th.
Don’t Hate Hallmark
To those who think Hallmark is responsible for the creation of this holiday, well you’re wrong. The origin of Valentine’s Day actually dates back to Roman times with Romulus and Remus, the boys who were raised by wolves and created Rome.
When Rome was founded, it was a place of very few women, which obviously made it difficult to procreate and populate the empire. To remedy this, hundreds of Sabine women were captured and were made citizens of Rome.
Unfortunately for the Romans, the women were not very fertile so they held a festival called Lupercalia that honored the wolf who raised Romulus and Remus. The night before this festival, which was held on February 15th, boys drew the names of girls to be paired with. Some pairings lasted for life.
As time went on and our world evolved, a Pope by the name of Gelasius I outlawed the festival of Lupercalia and renamed it the feast of St. Valentine’s Day. This is supposedly in honor of a priest who secretly married young soldiers during Emperor Claudius II reign. Claudius had outlawed marriage because bachelors made better soldiers, but St. Valentine kept love alive in a time when it was not allowed.
So though it may be a Hallmark holiday in the fact that women expect gifts, cards and flowers, it actually has significant historic meaning. It truly is a celebration of love.
Boom, dropping some knowledge on ya!
Lowered Expectations
Why is it that we as men feel such pressure to make a splash on this holiday? This probably is the fault of the media and movies where we see the girl’s house covered wall to wall in roses. But I’ll let you in on a secret guys, come in closer; they really don’t expect that stuff. But your sayin’, “Hey Sam, you don’t know my girlfriend.” And you’re right, I don’t. But I have asked around, and for the most part, it doesn’t take a huge amount of money or the most creative person in the world to please their significant other on V-day.
“Guys shouldn’t have to buy something for every little holiday,” said Jessica Siegel a student at West Texas A&M. “Just do something out of the ordinary; show that you put some thought into it.”
Callie Crum, another WT student, backed her up. “At least do dinner, show that you realize it’s a special day.”
So you see guys, our years and years of hating on this holiday have paid off. We have gotten their standards all the way down to a simple dinner and a thoughtful gift or gesture.
That’s awesome! Now take advantage of this recession of expectations and do something truly great. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but just show that you think of her and she means something to you. I promise it will come back to benefit you down the road. Don’t try to be a man’s man and boycott this “silly” holiday; be the romantic guy that every girl dreams of. IT’S JUST ONE DAY! It won’t kill you.
Do: Have a Freakin’ Plan
Do you think you’d notice if the Saints went into the Super Bowl without a game plan? Yes of course you would notice. They would run around with no direction and get torched by the Colts and the ultimate
planner, Peyton Manning. So go into it with a plan; girls can sense if you have no idea what you’re doing (they’re smarter than they look). Be a Peyton Manning, and win big this Valentine’s Day.
P.S. If you didn’t catch that, I’m taking the Colts in the game this Sunday.
Don’t: Over Do it
Yes, I do realize I’m kind of contradicting myself with this, but hear me out. If this is you and your girl’s first Valentine’s day, you’re setting a really high standard. Don’t set the bar so high that you can’t top it next year. Keep this in mind every V-day. If you end up marrying the girl you’re with now, you have a lot of Valentines to come. So do something sweet, but not too lavish.
Do: Put Your Ego Aside
This is the hardest thing to do, I know. But that could be the biggest gesture you could possibly make. Take her to a movie she has been talking about. That Valentine’s Day movie looks like the ultimate chick flick. Impress her, and have the tickets ready so she didn’t even have to suggest it. Something that simple could make all the difference in the world, and make her Valentine’s Day.
Don’t: Think that Flowers and Candy are Cliché
Yes, it is shoved down our throats every year, but you know why that is? Because CHICKS EAT THAT STUFF UP! It works. Now don’t just go to WalMart the day of and expect to find the perfect bouquet and box of chocolates. Do some shopping, yes shopping, and find a florist who can wrap them up nicely or get gourmet treats from a local bakery; it’ll show some effort
and make her day.
The Bottom Line
We as guys need to pick it up, and think of others this upcoming Valentine’s Day. That’s what love is all about, putting
someone else’s needs before your own. And this Valentine’s Day, I think it’s time we prove it. Be happy you have someone to share it with, and make it a day to remember.
Web Editor’s Note: For Super Bowl Dos and Don’ts, click here!