Back To Cali - ISSUE 4 FEB 2020

VALENTINE’S DAY
ETIQUETTE411
Photo: Crystal Carr
Whether you’re the one who is flying solo, just getting started, or riding the
marriage train we all need a bit of advice on how to celebrate a day for lovers.
Valentine’s Day can bring on so much pressure when it comes to relationships.
I’ve got some tips here on how to make this day special and in some cases keep
the lovin’ going all year long.
You’re Not in a Relationship...
Okay, someone asks if you have plans and you think it’s
lame to say that you don’t. Well hey take control of your
V Day agenda and make it a day to remember. You don’t
have to be in love with someone else – you can be in love
with life itself. Plan a fabulous get together with friends (or
a friend) or even by yourself! Do something that’s going
to keep you off the out-for-the-night couple’s path. You
can make it a night in with a Dessert & Champagne Party
or Mexican & Margarita themed fiesta. Whatever you do
don’t be glum spice it up and have fun!
You’re in a New Relationship...
If you’ve been dating for a very short time, then don’t creep
the other person out by being overly romantic. Keep it
simple but celebrate the day by making it fun. It’s perfectly
fine to exchange cards (be careful of the wording) or even
a simple gift. Nix the romantic dinner and do something
non-pressure like catch the latest (non-romantic) movie
or go bowling. You can even pop into your neighborhood
coffee spot that features live music by local musicians.
You Want to Add some Zing to Your
Marriage...
Make it a 7-day V Day treat. Don’t just roll out the red carpet
for just one night. Let this Valentine’s Day be the first
stop of your journey of reconnecting and jumpstarting
a hot torrid affair with your sweetie. Whatever you plan
make a commitment to each other that you will do the
same thing (or something like it) on 7 different days with
this day being day 1. Just spread the days throughout the
year. Make up some cute cards that you can cash into one
another when you feel the need to spice it up and have
some couple time.
Plan something Uber romantic. If you’ve got kids, get
someone to keep them. If they’re really small you might
have to pay a sitter to stay overnight rather than send
them out. (Hey, keeping it quiet so not to disturb the sitter
might be a game in itself). Whether you go out to a candlelight
dinner and wind up at home with rose petals and
a silk teddy. Or get a room for the night and have room
service. Do something romantic and then do it again, and
again – 7 times that is.
Elaine Swann is the founder of the Swann School of Protocol and etiquette school
located in Carlsbad. Follow her on IG/FB/Twitter @elaineswann. Learn more by
visiting her website www.swannschool.com