Oh, it's so romantic!


Love, love, love everywhere.

You can indulge all you want in togetherness and romance!

But here's a suggestion: when planning for the big day this year, keep these tips in mind so you can celebrate with the right spirit.

No red overkill, please!


Restaurants, shop windows, wrapping paper, chocolate boxes, balloons, teddy bears, cushions covers... almost everything will be coloured red.
Unless you want to blend into the furniture, skip the colour.
Stand out instead. Experiment with other colours of passion like blue and royal purple.

Don't gloat to single friends


We know you will have a whale of a time with your partner.
But subjecting your single, footloose and fancy-free friends to incessant banter about how special your day will be, how many gifts you will receive, how many kisses you will steal and how lucky you feel to be seeing someone so wonderful is a no-no!
Your friends will listen patiently for the first 10 minutes.
After that, you may hear less of them.
So keep it short and sweet.

Don't steal!


Believe it or not, couples do it because they want to come away with a little Valentine's Day memento.
Says 19-year old Lorraine Dias, who is currently studying law, "My friend Joanne is extra mushy. She and her boyfriend shared a candlelight dinner last year. After the meal, she made him slip her wine glass, which carried her lipstick mark into his pocket. The poor chap was supposed to keep it by his bedside and think of her before he went to bed. Yuck!"

No buying monster-size cards that scream, '1001 Reasons Why I Love You'!


We wouldn't want you lying to your sweetheart now, would we?
Besides, it will sport a garish design and it is very uncool to be loud this Valentine season.
Instead, buy a regular card and write something from your heart.
Words that spring forth spontaneously have so much more meaning and lend such a warm personal touch. Try poetry or a limerick, if you're any good at them. As long as it comes straight from the heart, it'll work.

No gifting a dozen red roses! Too predictable!


Besides, the prices of roses will skyrocket on V-day, leaving you that much poorer!
Instead, says florist Sania Abid, "If your beau is vibrant and fun, go for African daisies or chrysanthemums in bright colours. And if s/he likes it mellow, orchids are just perfect."
This Valentine's, make it extra special by being spontaneous and staying away from the predictable!