This is part 2 of 4 of my Valentine's Day Series. I hope you will find this series helpful. I have to say that I believe in showing love and appreciation 365! I personally do not think that one day out of the year is enough to show your better half that you love and adore them. I think this should be done on a regular basis. Enjoy!
I'm sure many women will want to stone me after I say this, but contrary to popular belief, Valentine's Day is not all about US! *ducks* Valentine's Day is, ideally, for both the man and the woman. We self absorbed women tend to forget about the men in our lives. You know, the ones who squish the spider in the bathroom, takes care of you when you're sick, holds your purse while you try on clothes for hours? Yeah, those guys, they can be pretty great. Your boyfriend/husband is your loving companion, friend and partner in life; and sometimes they are even the father of your children. Your relationship isn't perfect, not by a long shot. Who would expect it to be? So why is it that we tend to forget about the guy that willingly wakes up next to you knowing that you have morning breath and your hair all over the place, but he still finds you to be the most attractive woman in his world?
C'mon ladies, let's treat the guys in our life properly. They too like gifts on Valentine's Day! I know people say that men are hard to shop for, but if you pay close attention, he's giving you clues. And I'm not talking about those yellow post-it's that are found on bathroom mirrors and refrigerator doors. Guys often feel the pressure to buy, buy, buy and the entire day is centered around you, his adoring girlfriend/wife. So why not surprise him with a token of your appreciation on Valentine's Day? It's not up to the guy to keep the fire going in a relationship. It's a combined effort! And sorry to say my fellow divas, but buying sexy lingerie and saying it's "for him" doesn't count either, nor will it last very long.
Don't know where to start for gift giving? Of course, NikStar has some ideas for you! Check them out below:
- Fossil Analog Black Dial Watch, $95 http://www.fossil.com
- Polysueded Sport Coat by Alfani, $109.99 http://www.macys.com
- BLV by Bvlgari, $38.10; Armani Code by Giorgio Armani, $28.99 http://www.overstock.com
- "Life Comes At You Fast" by Crooked Monkey, $29.00 http://www.bluefly.com
- Pentax Optio I-10, $300 http://www.amazon.com
- Diesel time Zone Watch, $300 http://www.nordstroms.com
Of course these are all just ideas. Guys like it when we are romantic too. You don't even honestly have to spend a dime to make him happy. If you have a sentimental sweetheart, you could make a photo collage book. If food is the way to your mans heart, how about cooking dinner together? Better yet, some restaurants offer cooking lessons, you could try one of those. For movie buffs, instead of hitting an overpriced movie theatre and paying for popcorn, candy and soda with your first born, you could perhaps make a blockbuster, redbox or netflix night! Rent old flicks, maybe even find the movie that you first watched together and rekindle that spark, relive your first kiss. For the guy that likes to pampered just as much as his lady sidekick, give him a great warm oil massage and remind him why he's with you.
As a tribute to the guys, I wanted to pick their brains slightly. I asked a few random guy friends from my FB friends list their thoughts on Valentine's Day. They were all asked the same questions, but check out different their responses are!
I think Valentines day gifts are for the lady, I think the perfect gift would be for her to buy a new sexy outfit, get her hair done, new make-up style, some lace lingerie, and suprise me with a stunning new look that has my mouth on the floor, and wanting to spend double on her at a fancy restaurant.
Although Valentines is a hallmark holiday, do you feel that it is important to celebrate it? Why or why not?
I definitely think it's important. Unless your single of course, then it sucks. :( Lucky for me, I have a special lady. Without Valentines day many couples would probably never get romantic, NOT ME, but many. SO, without romance, the relationship becomes boring as Hell. Like a dance floor with no DJ.
What would be the perfect ending to your Valentines night?
Hmmmm. Coming home after an evening of fancy food, fancy outfits and fancy drinks. Lighting a couple candles and feeling the energy. ;)
Name: Wayne Grace II
Age: 28
Website: http://www.ghettovangogh.com
http://www.juicygang.com/
What would you like for Valentines Day?
Simply for my woman to be happy, that is enough for me.
Although Valentines is a hallmark holiday, do you feel that it is important to celebrate it? Why or why not?
It is important to celebrate it because if taking one day out of the year will make your woman feel that much more special then that is important. Because she is important. The real question is why only one day? You should treat everyday like it is Valentine's Day with the one you love.
What would be the perfect ending to your Valentines night?
I'm not a dreamer so this is kinda tough. I guess the perfect ending would be knowing you did enough that you will still have a valentine the day after lol.
Name: Ant R.
Age: 23
Website: Ant on Facebook
What would you like for Valentines Day?
What I would like to do for valentines day is take my fiance out to a nice dinner and a movie. Keep it real simple. I'll surprise her with a gift she would never expect. I know how much she hates surprises so I'm going to do it anyway.
Although Valentines is a hallmark holiday, do you feel that it is important to celebrate it? Why or why not?
I think its very important to celebrate v-day because I'm the type of person I like to show how much love i have for her. I show it everyday but I think just like my anniversary, this day is almost as important.
What would be the perfect ending to your Valentines night?
The perfect way to end our valentines night would be spending it at the W hotel and just making hot, sexy, sweaty sex all night and all morning.
Name: Ryan Anthony Lumas
Age: 32
Website: http://www.cpccomics.com
What would you like for Valentines Day? As a gift... There's is NOTHING I would like more than maybe a nice surprise... I'm the type of man that does sweet/romantic things all year long... it would be nice to have it reciprocated! Not the standard dinner/movie/sex that society expects.. but something outside the box!
Although Valentines is a hallmark holiday, do you feel that it is important to celebrate it? Why or why not?
I say NO... I don't mean don't acknowledge it... but it's not a holiday I choose to celebrate like an anniversary or birthday! I feel that society has put WAAAYYY too much pressure on us MEN to do something special on this one particular day! I love my girlfriend 24/7 365 (25/7 during daylight savings time & 366 on leap year LOL)! I think there is too much emphasis on romance! What I mean by that is.. what is sooooo different about me taking you out to a nice restaurant this weekend than on Valentines Day weekend??? NOTHING (in my eyes)!! Don't get me wrong.. My girlfriend will get a special gift this year... but that's a different story.. in a nutshell.. what I'm saying is, let's love each other all year long, and not just 1 day during the shortest month of the year... which just happens to be Black history month ( we caint never have stuff to ourself! LOL)
What would be the perfect ending to your Valentines night?
The perfect ending for me on MY Valentines Day would be my girl and I snuggled up together (with a nice cold glass of Minute Maid Fruit Punch) after a good... no.. GREAT love making session... but that's just me!
Name: Brandon
Age: 25
Website: Brandon on Facebook
What would you like for Valentines Day?
My girlfriend dressed up as Princess Leia.
Although Valentines is a hallmark holiday, do you feel that it is important to celebrate it? Why or why not?
No, because when your in love everyday is Valentines day.
What would be the perfect ending to your Valentines night?
Risking certain death, I would rescue my princess from the nearest Death Star. After we make our daring escape, I would whisk her away to her private quarters on the Rebel Base were we would play with my lightsaber and experiment with the Force until the break of dawn.
Name: Pierre Hill
Age: 26
Website: Pierre on Facebook
What would you like for Valentines Day?
A day in the city with someone special, this year it’s on a Sunday, so it has to be an all day event. It’s easier for a man to commit, since football season will be over by this point. There is a lot to do in Chicago, so its really up to myself and whomever I’m lucky enough to be spending the day with.
Although Valentines is a hallmark holiday, do you feel that it is important to celebrate it? Why or why not?
I don’t really consider it a Hallmark Holiday as much as some others, but it’s only important if you think it’s important. Guys can go either way, we care about it if we have someone to spend it with, or if there is a lady we want to talk to; Valentine’s Day is perfect if your game is right. Haha.
What would be the perfect ending to your Valentines night?
Really now? Some Hot-Butt-Naked Sex…What else is there?
What would you like for Valentines Day?
I would like a massage package, and a nice dinner and movie package. If that is too expensive, do an all-inclusive type deal like a room at a hotel, do the massage yourself and just relax and enjoy yourselves.
Although Valentines is a hallmark holiday, do you feel that it is important to celebrate it? Why or why not?
I think it is important to celebrate Valentine's Day if it has been established that it means something to both people in the relationship. I know some guys and some girls who don't really care about it. So only if it means something to your significant other (and you).
What would be the perfect ending to your Valentines night?
My perfect ending is what we decide to do together, be it lay in bed and watch tv, sitting in the tub drinking champagne, or just other adult activities. As long as we are both happy, then it's a great ending.
Name: Donny Wilson
Age: 27
Website: http://DonnyLB.com
What would you like for Valentine's Day? As a chronic bachelor, I can only ask for so much as far as Valentine's day goes. I would love to have a wonderful Valentine's date. Not just any date, but the perfect date-- a date that would be the springboard to a beautiful and inevitable relationship. If I had a relationship or a special someone, I'd like it if on Valentine's Day she wasn't afraid to step outside her comfort zone and do something she knows I would love. Whether it be a certain hairstyle, an outfit, or an activity, I would appreciate something new and outside the box.
Although Valentines is a hallmark holiday, do you feel that it is important to celebrate it? Why or why not?
Valentine's Day, I scoff at even the thought of the holiday. It wasn't always like that. There was a time Valentine's Day meant so much more, and I'm sure that time will come again someday. I do see and understand the significance of Valentine's Day. Although we should celebrate the love we have for that special someone every day of the year, it is one of those special occasions that is kind of like an exclamation to that love.
What would be the perfect ending to your Valentines night?
Depending on the girl, depending on the day, and depending on the night, the perfect end could be any number of things--a sweet kiss goodnight, a Valentine's proposal, falling asleep in each other's arms, or not falling asleep at all *wink*. For me, it's not what we do, it's who I'm with.
What would you like for Valentines Day?
I would honestly love a home-cooked meal from a beautiful woman who loves to give as much as she loves to receive. I'm talking a meal from scratch too. Something that she actually put THOUGHT into, because honestly many women don't cook anymore. Not for real. LoL This woman would WANT to prepare this meal and give just because she knows that she'd get that and more in return.
Although Valentines is a hallmark holiday, do you feel that it is important to celebrate it? Why or why not?
Honestly, Valentine's Day could be every weekend, or every month or every vacation or everytime you kiss your love goodbye in the morning before going to work. Its not that important to celebrate it, but it IS important to celebrate your loved one more frequently than one day ;-)
What would be the perfect ending to your Valentines night?
Bared souls, exhausted bodies, her head laying in my lap while I rub her head and we talk, laugh, joke, smile and kiss the night away.
Name: Jose Vilson
Age: Uknown
What do you want for Valentines Day?
For Valentine's Day, I just want some peace and quiet. Sex and a message are a plus, but the energy should be the opposite of a stressful work day. If you're looking for a great gift, buy a DVD of the best movie we both watched together and / or a surprise in line with our conversations. Going to a show, for instance, is awesome.
Although Valentines is a hallmark holiday, do you feel that it is important to celebrate it? Why or why not?
It's important because humans need benchmarks to remember when things happen. While it sounds tacky on the surface because everyday should be a day of love, in the grand scheme of things, humans don't often remember to do it and exert themselves in that fashion.
What would be the perfect ending to your Valentines night?
Believe it or not, peace and quiet. I know I'm harping on that theme, but for men, peace takes work, so when it happens, it's wonderful.
Thank you too all the guys for sharing their thoughts on Valentines Day.
xoxo NikStar
Treat Yourself! You don't need a guy to buy yourself a fresh bouqet of flowers or fancy chocolate covered strawberries. Matter of fact, skip the cliche chocolate box and strawberries and get yourself some 
