Valentine’s Day has
turned into a day of clichés and phony affection. Lifestyle has taken on the task of giving this stale day a
serotonin boost with some creative and inexpensive date ideas.
The New
Parents
This is your time to
act like adults, do adult things and be around other adults. The best date for new parents is to indulge in
the activities you have caught yourself saying, “I haven’t done that since Elliot was born.” First, tap into
your formerly broad vocabulary and hit up the local bookstore. Although reading may seems like a solitary
event, you can engage each other by picking up the same magazine or copy of Berenstain Bears— wait, no, think
grown-up. Next, take your day to a local brewery tour. The beer is cheap when it is right from the source,
and without someone else’s little life in your care, feel free to partake. Your splurge of the day may have
to be dinner. To save some money, take advantage of the many Valentine’s Day specials at restaurants across
the country. For example, although this year’s Winterlicious in Toronto officially runs only until Feb. 11,
last year’s prix fixe special was extended past Valentine’s Day at some locations. You will appreciate the
departure from fish sticks and mashed carrots.
The Young
Lovers
There is no rush to
grow up and you may as well treat your fun side. Although arcades aren’t quite the nickel-a-game steal that
they used to be, they still are fun, youthful and cheap. It’s also fun to indulge your competitive sides over
an air hockey table. Next, move the date to a vintage store. Dress up in pastel suits and pink sequined prom
dresses and leave with a skinny tie or a pair of red pumps. Lastly, end the day with a stop at your local
burrito barrio. Gourmet tacos and burritos are the hip fast food of the past few years with trendy take-out
stores decorated in pop art style or in the Mexican wrestling theme. Toronto is home to Chino Locos, an
Asian-inspired burrito joint with topping such as rice noodles and edamame beans, but similar places can be
found across the country.
The Adventure
Seekers
There are all sorts of
adventure seekers—the outdoor types, the carefree culinary lovers and the exhibitionists. This date takes
care of all of them. First head to your local park, national or otherwise, for an afternoon of snow fun.
Granted this is assuming there will be a white Valentine’s Day, but you can build a fort, create a snowman
and have a snowball fight. After you are worn out, warm up with a hot drink, preferably an espresso or a
wintery cocktail to continue the adventure-seeking. A daring dinner idea is to pick a number (maybe it is the
number of Valentines you have spent together), and stop at the 1st, 5th, or
60th restaurant you see depending on what number you choose. This gamble could land you at Tom’s
Fried Chicken Hut or Chez Fancy Pants. It’s the risk that is the fun. Lastly, end the night at a karaoke
joint. There is nothing more romantic than a Sonny and Cher duet in front of a group of jaded singles hunched
over their G&Ts. But it is undeniable that for an adventure-seeking couple “I Got You Babe” is the
perfect ending.
The Power
Couple
Like the new parents,
today should be about lightening up and doing things that you can’t regularly with your responsibilities
weighing you down. With your early mornings and late hours, sleeping in or even just lying in bed until noon
is a great change. Once you decide to roll yourself out from under the covers, head to your nearest farmers
market to pick up some fresh and sustainable food for your meal later on that night. Usually it is
recommended you get to a farmers market early but not today. Although maybe not the most unique date idea in
this list, cooking a meal with your partner is really as enjoyable as it is made out to be—both relaxing and
fulfilling. Lastly, spend the night at the local comedy club. Laughter isn’t always a relationship staple but
it definitely should be. And who knows? You may be seeing the next Steve Martin or Robin Williams.
The Been There
Done That Duo
A lot of couples feel
like they have done any potentially romantic act and have been on every possible date. A great way to both
relive those times and form some new memories is to act like tourists in your hometown. Visit all the sites
you would if you had never been to your city before, whether it is the CN Tower or Stanley Park or Citadel
Hill. Do your research ahead of time and pick a new neighbourhood you haven’t ever explored because it isn’t
within your bubble of activities. Make sure you take tons of pictures so you can have a photo album of your
trip to your home city. For some good staycation ideas for Toronto see the Winter 2009 Ontario edition of
Lifestyle magazine.
Singles
Finally a date for you
Beyonce lovers out there—the single ladies and the single men. Although today may seem like either an
ordinary day for you or a severely irritating mass PDA, it is a day for you too. Have all of your other
single friends over for an alcohol-abundant house party. I’m not talking about a nail polish, ice cream and
Aniston flick party with your girlfriends. I mean a real boy/girl party. Activity of the night, group Lava
Life sign-up. Now before anyone gets offended, online dating sites are at worst a funny conversation point
for you and your friends, and at best a way to embrace your ability to try new things.
