It’s that time of year again: playoff football time!
Wait, no. That’s not it. Sorry, we got distracted.
What we meant to say is it’s time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day. If you’re like us, you’re probably easily distracted this time of year. And pro football didn’t do us any favors when it added an 18th week to the regular season, pushing the date of the biggest game of the year out to the week of Valentine’s Day. If you wait until February 12th to start thinking about how you’re going to make February 14th special, you’re setting yourself up to fail.
Sure, you could do the card/flowers/chocolates trifecta that you’ve relied on for years. But those things are cliché for a reason. She’ll probably smile and say thanks, but you can bet she’s not going to be bragging about them to her friends.
Of course when you need to look your best, you know where to go. But Hair Saloon is also here to be your Valentine’s Day wingman. We’ve put together this list of 5 unique and creative (and simple!) ways to give the person who means so much to you the Valentine’s Day she deserves.
Give the Gift of Time Travel
Remember how you felt that first time the two of you spent time together? So does she. Make her feel those feels all over again by recreating your first date. Plan out the same activities in the same places. If you ate at a specific restaurant, try to get the same table and order the same food. A gesture like this shows her you remember the details of how your relationship started AND that she still makes you feel the same way she did back then.
Unleash Your Inner Shakespeare
We’re not suggesting you pen the next Romeo & Juliet, unless that’s something you’ve been dying to do for years. No, this one is all about pouring your heart out into words on a page with a handwritten love letter. A lot of guys cringe at the thought because they think a love letter has to be poetic and romantic. But unless that’s your real personality, she’s going to see right through it, and it isn’t going to feel authentic and meaningful. Instead, pen something from the heart and in your own words about how much she means to you and her impact on your life. Present it to her on Valentine’s Day and watch her face as she reads your words to herself. This one’s got “winner” written all over it.
Do the Dirty Work
Everybody’s got a chore they’re responsible for that they absolutely despise, including that special someone in your life. Chances are, you know exactly which chore it is. What better way to make someone feel loved and appreciated than lightening their load in a way they’ll definitely take notice of. Whether it’s a trip to the grocery store, doing the kids’ laundry, or cleaning the toilets- sweat equity goes a long way toward showing someone you care about them.
Call the Shots (and the Babysitter)
Decisions and planning are probably the two things that keep couples on the couch, instead of on the town. Let’s face it, after a hard day’s work the last thing anyone wants to do is make calls and reservations, check showtimes, and secure a babysitter. Which is why this idea is so powerful. Let her enjoy all of the fun of date night without any of the dread. Take the reins and plan out a date night from start to finish, and surprise her with it when she gets home from work on Valentine’s Day.
Now You’re Cookin’ with Gas
If she’s typically the household chef, this one is especially effective. Plan a menu and cook her a meal for Valentine’s Day. It doesn’t have to be overly elaborate or fancy. Even if the meal doesn’t turn out as well as you’d planned, she’s going to love that you took on the challenge and did your best to impress her.
Hair Saloon President and CEO Tom Twellman Jr. celebrates Valentine’s Day every year by making his signature “Gourmet Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches” for his wife and kids. It’s become an annual tradition they all look forward to, and Tom’s agreed to share his recipe with you below:
Gourmet Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 1 French baguette loaf – Cut into 1/2” rounds (recommend cutting at an angle to provide more surface area for cheese spread); spread butter or margarine on one side of each round.
- Cheese spread (mix ingredients together in a plastic/metal bowl:
- 1/2 C. of Provolone
- 1/2 C. of Monterey Jack
- 1/2 C. of Mozzarella
- 1/2 C. of mild Cheddar
- 1 C. of light Mayonnaise
- 3 stalks of Green Onion (minced)
- 1 tsp. of Black Pepper
- 1 1⁄2 tbsp. of Honey
Instructions:
- Spread cheese mixture on non-buttered side of baguette rounds using 1/2 of the loaf
- Top with the other rounds (buttered side up)
- Place Petite Cheese Sandwiches on skillet (medium heat), grill until Sandwiches are golden brown.
- Serve and ENJOY!
BONUS: If you’re feeling up to it and really want to show off, make a side salad to accompany your gourmet grilled cheese!
Caesar Salad
Ingredients
- 1 TBSP Mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1-3 anchovy fillets, chopped
- 2 TSP Dijon mustard
- lemon juice from one lemon
- 1 TSP Worcestershire sauce
- 1 TSP red wine vinegar
- 5 TBSP olive oil
- Salt and fresh ground pepper
- 3 heads romaine lettuce, pale inner leaves only
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Dressing: In a blender, combine the mayonnaise, garlic, anchovies, to taste, if using, mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, 4 TBS of the oil, 1⁄2 TSP salt, and a generous amount of pepper. Process until smooth.
- Croutons: Cut bread into generous crouton-sized squares. Sauté in butter until crispy. Allow to cool.
- Assemble: In a large bowl, combine the lettuce and dressing and toss to coat evenly. Arrange the lettuce on the plates, top with the fresh croutons and parmesan.
Go Forth and Make Valentine’s Day Memorable!
Be confident men! You’ve got this. Planning the perfect Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be elaborate, complicated, or even very expensive. It just requires a little creativity and a lot of heart.
And a little bit of football.
Nope, scratch that. No football.
