I'm a Valentine's Grinch basically and have never liked this holiday (Single or not!). There are so many things so wrong with V-day. When you're single it all round sucks - you're surrounded by couple being extra lovey wovey and all over each other, each couple trying to outdo the other with their (Gross) grandiose PDAs. Being in a relationship on the 14th of February also sucks (Especially when you're not the most feelingsy person around!) because there's all this pressure of having to make the 14th of February special for you and your bae. Queue the long WhatsApp messages with 100s of kissy face and heart emojis, the Instagram stories professing your love for each other and the overrated bouquets of flowers, teddy bears and chocolates (Well let's be honest, they're overrated but we're not complaining!).
It seems like the only good thing about valentines day, whether you're single or in a relationship, is that the heart shaped chocolates that go on sale on the 15th! Win-win situation. So you can eat half price chocolate and wollow in sadness on the 15th.
While all of this is true, I'm making the conscious decision to go into Valentines Day this year with less of a negative attitude and maybe giving this age-old holiday a chance.
This little Last Minute Guide To Valentine's Day is my attempt at giving the 14th of February a chance this year and going into it with a positive attitude!
WHAT TO DO ON VALENTINES DAY
Here are some ideas of what you can do on 14 Feb!
IT'S A DATE PICNIC SERVICES
If you're based in Durban, this is the ultimate choice! Save yourself the trouble of having to figure out how to make Valentines Day special - It's a Date takes care of everything! They organise amazing couples picnics that will be sure to leave a lasting memory.
To enquire email them on itsadate.picnicservices@gmail.com, contact them on 061 436 0848 and follow them on instagram on @itsadate.eventservices
TREAT YO'SELF (OR BAE!) WITH A FACIAL AT DR NAIDOO SKIN SOLUTIONS UMHLANGA
If you're looking for the perfect gift for your girlfriend why not treat her to a facial? I recently did the Fire & Ice facial at Dr Naidoo Skin Solutions in Umhlanga, Durban and it was such an amazing experience. She has an awesome Valentines special too - R2800 for a vampire facial and R750 for a hydro-facial.
PHOTOSHOOT WITH NALEN THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Again, this one is just for the Durbs peeps. One of the first photographers I ever shot with was Nalen Naik, an incredibly talented Durban based photographer. Why not make lasting memories you can keep by doing a couples shoot?
Nalen is also hosting a student special currently - R340 for an Instagram Photoshoot with 10 professional shots and 1 beverage included. To enquire DM @nalen_the_photographer or email (nalen@odinson.co.za) or WhatsApp 0792276166.
SPENDING VALENTINES DAY AT HOME - MOVIE NIGHT IN
With all the commercialisation of this holiday sometimes we forget that the greatest gift can be quality time. A great way to get quality time is to stay in, away from the crowds and hustle and bustle. Why not stream something on Netflix? Even better, get a RANGER device by MEDIA BOX and stream all of your favourites.
A few suggestions of what to watch on Netflix:
- You can't go wrong with a classic like FRIENDS or HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
- We're all lowkey psycho especially in a relationship so why not binge YOU season 2
- A golden oldie like SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
- If you're looking for a good doccie - MINIMALISM: A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE IMPORTANT THINGS, INSIDE BILL'S BRAIN: DECODING BILL GATES
- It's the perfect time to binge-watch THE WITCHER
WHERE TO EAT ON VALENTINES DAY
As usual, I'm a foodie so priority is food! Some of my favourite restaurants (Most of which I already have reviews on) that would make an awesome choice for your Valentines Day lunch/dinner plans:
RESTAURANTS IN DURBAN:
THE HUSSAR GRILL GATEWAY
NEWS CAFE UMHLANGA
14 ON CHARTWELL UMHLANGA
RESTAURANTS IN JOHANNESBURG:
LANSERS ON MAIN BRYANSTON
OTHER OPTIONS I DON'T HAVE REVIEWS ON:
THE LIVING ROOM MABONENG
JAMIES ITALIAN MELROSE ARCH
TRUMPS GRILLHOUSE AND BUTCHERY SANDTON CITY
RESTAURANTS IN CAPE TOWN
I haven't done any reviews on restaurants in Cape Town but here are some top picks and suggestions I've liked:
TWO OCEANS RESTAURANT CAPE POINT
OTHER OPTIONS I DON'T HAVE REVIEWS ON:
SI CANTINA SOCIALE V&A
WAVES AT BLOUBERG BEACH HOTEL
THE BUNGALOW CLIFTON
TAKE A BAE-CATION
Experiences over things! I'm a firm believer in baecations - if you can't have an incredible time with them on vacation what's the point of the relationship? Why not give the gift of a HOLIDAY you can both experience? You can even do a stay-cation if you don't want to overspend. Here are some places I'd recommend for your baecation - be sure to read the full blog posts.
CAPE TOWN STAYCATION OR DAY TRIP - CAPE POINT
JOHANNESBURG STAYCATION -
THE CAPITAL MELROSE
JOHANNESBURG/PRETORIA SHORT ROAD TRIP - HARTEBEESPOORT
DURBAN SHORT ROAD TRIP -
BRAHMAN HILLS IN THE MIDLANDS
And that wraps up this guide to unique valentines day ideas other than the typical flowers/chocolates/jewellery and teddy bears. Have an amazing, one-of-a-kind Valentines Day on 14 February 2020! The first of the decade and hopefully one to remember.
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