Picture the depressingly familiar Valentine’s day scene; stuffy restaurant surrounded by other couples, eating from a ‘romantic’ yet totally homogeneous menu that isn’t as appetising as the slightly past their sell by date fish fingers, nestled in your freezer.
Yet Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be so stereotypical and unimaginative.
Take some time and effort to add some sparkle to your celebrations; With lashings of glamour, a sprinkle of humour and oodles of Baz Lurhman-esque OTT you can put excitement and fun back on the menu instead of imported molluscs and soggy fondant potatoes.
It doesn’t even have to be on 14th February – the surprise element of having Valentine’s Day a day early is an added bonus.
Our 10 fantabulous suggestions can give your Valentine’s Day some va va voom.
1.Go to a dance class together – Tango, swing or salsa the night away. An experience you can share, that’s tactile and means you can sling on a pair of bejewelled heels and a slinky or swishy skirt.
2. Why not considering dressing up at home and having the perfect night in with your partner? Have fun wearing your highest heels and creating the perfect chignon, knowing you won’t have to risk life and limb catching a taxi and ending up with hair a la Bridget Jones after you’ve crossed town in the aftermath of storm Imogen.
3. Dress up as your favourite glamorous couple (Brad/Ange, Daniel Craig/Eva Green, Beyonce/JayZ. Then live tweet/take selfies of your date night as you stay in character and see where the night takes you.
4. Throw a Great Gatsby party or just persuade everyone to wear Gatsby inspired clothes to your night out at your local and watch the drama unfold.
5. Take a chauffeur-driven ride round the city, dressed to the nines. Being driven round together gives you plenty of time to appreciate the effort you’ve made.
6. Spend a night-in getting creative together. Bring out the pottery-wheel a la Ghost, recreate the sketch pad scene in Titanic or give your bedroom a luxurious make-over.
7. Go for cocktails in an upmarket hotel bar, get a little tipsy and see where the night takes you - gatecrash a party, pole dance in the park or do something outlandish and a little flamboyant.
8. Climb a tower, book a capsule on the London eye, the Shard or climb to the top of your favourite hill. Just make sure you wear something distracting enough to make him forget about the view.
9. Attend a posh cinema screening. Whether it's Moet in Mayfair – or Prosecco in Preston. It doesn’t really matter, just dress up to the nines, smuggle in some truffles and fizz, and watch something suitably decadent and make sure you’ve got the best seats at the back.
10. Lastly, just remember it’s the little details that make it a day to remember, not a meaningless grand gesture. Wear the necklace you wore on your first date, or the cufflinks she bought you with her first pay check, hold the door open for each other and be attentive (don't look at your phone unless you're taking a picture to remember the evening by).
To avoid a Valentine’s disaster just remember it’s the little details that make it a day to remember, not the meaningless grand gestures. Wear the necklace you wore on your first date, or the cufflinks she bought you with her first paycheck.