Cards, flowers and candy have long been synonymous with Valentine's Day, but did you know that, according to CNN, Americans spend a combined $3.5 billion dollars on flowers and candy each Valentine's Day? There's nothing wrong with following tradition, but if you want to make this Valentine's Day memorable, you're going to have to step out of the box and come up with a few things that separate it from the others. Don't worry, even if you're a last minute procrastinator, or aren't good at stepping out of your comfort zone, there are plenty of great internet resources and smart phone apps that make planning a special celebration a cinch. There's no need to let on how easy it was, feel free to take all the credit yourself!
Cute Communication is Key
Begin by sending your loved one a special, private message using Duet, a free Apple app for the iPhone. Duet lets you send a personalized note or invite via text message or a short video. Be creative and have fun with it, knowing that no one other than the recipient will see it. Entice your Valentine by sending Duets every day the week prior to the big event. Give hints about your plans or just say how much you're looking forward to celebrating the holiday together.
Skip the Store
This year, skip the store-bought boxed chocolates and send chocolate covered strawberries to your special someone. It fulfills your obligation of sending candy, but shows that you thought of something different and unique. Prices start at $19.99, making it an affordable for most budgets.
Take Care of the Particulars
According to Google, 62% of restaurant searches on Valentine's Day, 2012 were made using mobile devices. Not surprising considering how many valuable resources there are for finding the perfect place to eat. Sites like Yelp.com can help you pick a restaurant, allowing you to specify search criteria by location, cuisine, user ratings and cost. Once you've narrowed down the choices, make your reservations using Open Table. More than 30,000 restaurants nationwide are linked to Open Table and it's easy, free and confirmed.
Not sure how to get to your dining venue? Use a navigation service like VZ Navigator or Maps.Com for turn by turn directions right from your smartphone. Prefer not to do the driving? Impress your date by hiring a private driver. Download the Uber app and use it to make arrangements for door to door service with a private driver and you even get to choose the type of car. (The app is free, cost for the service varies)
Relax
A couples massage is a relaxing, sensual experience that you can share together before heading out for an evening of fun. To find the perfect place for a couples massage in your area check out Spafinder. If you would rather do the massaging yourself in the privacy of your own home, consider learning the basics of Tantra massage. The key to a good, sensual massage is knowing how to set the scene with the right ambiance and how to perform the massage. Read through the steps of Tantra massage at MDHealth.com or download an eBook such as "The Art of Sensual Massage" right on your mobile device. Just $7.99 in the GooglePlay Store.
