Will You Be My Valentine?

It's Valentine's Day and you know what that means; whether you're celebrating over chocolates and candy necklace underwear with your boo, going to an anti-Valentine's party and making a voodoo doll of your ex, or just going to town on a bottle of wine with girlfriends, having a plan is always key when trying to make this so-called "Hallmark" holiday actually worth your time. With the big day falling on a Sunday, there's no excuse in forgetting to show your someone that extra love (or extra skin- if you weren't like me and didn't spend the entire Snowmaggedeon eating Cheetos and now don't fit into your work clothes properly) that I'm sure they deserve for putting up with your shenanigans all year. Whether you're on a budget because of "tough times" (which seems to be the excuse for everyone being anti-social these days) or ready to ball out big, below are a list of some practical suggestions that will make your Valentine's Day in DC extra special. Single and mad that my suggestions are all couples-oriented? Get over it; Today is not about you.

• Surprise him and take him to the place where you first met. Was it in the lobby of the Ritz? A local  bar? An Anacostia soup kitchen? The DMV? The possibilities are endless. Take him back for some reminiscing. 
• Create a collage for him of all of you're favorite times together. Include pictures from the entire duration of your relationship. But make sure it isn't any smaller then 15 by 20, so that way he'll be forced to hang it somewhere visible and every single girl who parties at his house will know that they better stay away.
• Before all of the snow melts, suggest the two of you build a snowman. Only get the snow from the area where your car is stuck on Wisconsin, and build the man with that. And don't do any heavy lifting. So, really, he's just helping you with your car.
• Have some SEX! Sold by the L. Mawby Winery in Michigan, this excellent bottle is a light sparkling rose combined with Pinot Gris grapes, and perfect for Valentine's Day. Marketed by Leopard supporter and DC sommelier Andrew Stover, crack open a bottle at the W Hotel, Sei Restaurant and Lounge, or The Reserve. Price? $69, of course.
• Be a live naked sushi girl like Samantha did in the Sex and the City movie. But instead, buy all of the grossest, most offensive sushis possible, like sea urchin, octopus, and squid. Layer your body with these pieces of sashimi and have fun hazing your boyfriend while he feels forced to eat the rancidness.
• Take him to see "Grease" at the National Theater. You know he'll love you for that, especially because it's starring the American Idol phenomenon Taylor Hicks.
• Want to get adventurous? Check out Terrapin Adventures in Savage, Maryland, where they're having specials for couples on ziplining. For $60 per couple, you can zipline through the woods several stories up high for up to two hours and be greeted with some great hot chocolate afterwards. Keep away from any heavy drinking the night before. (Call 301-725-1313 for reservations)
• Hit up the Russia House for one of the city's most exclusive Valentine's Day parties. Wear your finest fur, pretend you're super rich, and dress up like you're going to a party out of The Great Gatsby. So romantic.
• Trying to have an educational holiday? The National Museum of the American Indian is hosting an exhibit for the day on the history of cacao, or chocolate. Learn about the history of chocolate and its importance in Native American culture and get to try different kinds while you're learning.
• Okay, so I'll conclude with one for the single girl... Best anti-Valentine's event? Nothing better than Bar Louie in Chinatown; if you bring a picture of your ex and shred it in public, you'll get drink specials for the entire evening. Not a bad deal. 

Hope all of your Valentine's Days are filled with lots of love and cheesiness, of course. And if your car is still stuck in the snow, I hope you can finagle a "romantic" way for him to get it out for you.