The Verdict on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day.

  Everyone's favorite day of the year right?  HA!  Valentine's Day has more haters than lovers, I'm afraid.  

Not me though!  There's nothing sweeter to me than a bouquet of flowers, a heartfelt Hallmark, and a cutie to cuddle with. 

There are however a few Valentine's Day cliches that I could definitely do without.  You know, little things that just set up the annoying stereotype so many V-day haters call their anthems.  These are just a few acts of love that I'd rather not see on Monday.

1. The Valentine's Day proposal.

Come on!?  It does not get more cliche than that.  My personal thought is that you want the day of your engagement to be special in itself, so why adhere it to a special day that already exists?  Isn't it better to have an EXTRA day of celebration, if nothing else?  Not only this, but isn't the ultimate proclamation of love on the coveted Hallmark holiday a little too commonplace?

2. The Valentine's Day box of chocolates.

Okay, I know every girl loves chocolates, and I'm no exception to this statement; but the classic Russell Stover's box of chocolates you picked up at Walgreens SCREAMS "I picked these up on my way home from work."  Opt for something more out of the ordinary.  My ideal Valentine's chocolate experience would be a fondue date or chocolate covered strawberries.  No girl can (or should) be able to devour an entire box of chocolates on her own anyway.  Unless she's spending Valentine's Day alone.

3. The Valentine's Day stuffed animal.

Sure they're cute, but does anyone really want a cheap stuffed animal?  NO.  Maybe as a joke, but the stuffed animal to me again screams, "I forgot about Valentine's Day, here's a $5 trinket to prove my love for you."  No thanks.  We know not all guys can swing diamonds or romantic dates but in my opinion I would rather skip the animal and have a fun, useable gift.  Like fuzzy Valentine's socks or a gag gift I could actually use.

Don't get me wrong, I really am a grateful gal.  These are just little quirks that give V-day the awkward, cliche moments we could do without.  

SO

Go out and share the love this Monday, but do it in your own way.  Think outside the box when you are treating your loved ones this Valentine's Day, I promise it will be worth it!