A Guy's Guide to the Ultimate Valentine's Day

Contributed by Emma Callin 

I'm sure that the majority of people know what day it is today - even if we would like to avoid it, it is impossible to avoid the signs, the radio advertisements, the television commercials all loudly proclaiming that IT IS VALENTINE'S DAY!!!  While I have no particular dislike of Valentine's, I do find the rampant consumerism of this day rather alarming; "show your love for that special someone by spending lots of money" does not seem like a recipe for success in the romance department.  

Of course, this isn't news to anyone.  A Google search for "Valentine's consumerism" comes up with over 120,000 articles on the subject!  Among these hundreds of thousands of articles are many reporting that men are the biggest spenders, yet a quarter of men only spend money on Valentine's because they feel obligated to do so.  This made me wonder: if the obligation was removed, how would men like to celebrate with their partners (especially if money was not in question)?  See below for some of the answers I got! 

Names: Adrian, Kristian & Shea, a.k.a Da Boyzz from Fluevog
Ages: 24, 24, 22
Profession: Providing "unique soles for unique souls"

Ultimate Valentine's Day:
"Instead of the stereotypical man-buys-chocolate-and-flowers-for-girl-and-in-return-she-doesn’t-get-mad-at-him-for-not-getting-her-anything, activities where both parties are involved equally is the better course to take. And not just dinner and a movie.

There is a place called Claygrounds where you can decorate pottery together. There is the Vin Gogh, which is a restaurant where you can have dinner and also paint together. National Beer House on 10^th has a bowling alley."

Ultimate Valentine's Day gift: 

"We think that Valentine’s day needs to be more than what is given, or what they did for you. We think it’s about appreciating your partner and making sure that they know that you value them in your life, and we think making memories is far more important, intimate and loving than a box of chocolates.

Shea still wants his boyfriend to get him chocolate though."

Name: Aleem
Age: 31

Profession: Designer of Bano eeMee

Ultimate Valentine's Day: 

"Hot tub, drink.  Done!"  

Ultimate Valentine's Day gift: 

"I think just having the chance to relax is perfect."

Name: Scott
Age: 26
Profession: Chef

Ultimate Valentine's Day:
"A night at the Fairmont Banff Hot Springs with a private dinner for two and a day of tasting different restaurants."

Ultimate Valentine's Day gift:
"Backstage tickets to The WHO."

Name: Josh
Age: 29
Profession: Barista/night supervisor at Gravity Espresso & Wine Bar

Ultimate Valentine's Day:
"Camping near the water.  My girlfriend and I both love the water and the beach, as well as getting into nature.  If I could get a whole uninterrupted weekend of just chilling in nature with my girlfriend I'd be pretty set."

Ultimate Valentine's Day gift:
"For the above to happen in another country, most preferably Ireland."

Name: Kelly
Age: 48
Profession: Human Services

Ultimate Valentine's Day:
"One thing we'd like to do is go to Australia together.  We do often have a special meal with the kids, or light some candles and affirm our love for each other."

Ultimate Valentine's Day gift:
"We believe in daily (many times) letting our partner know that they are loved, valued and honoured for who they are.  Little things from picking up after ourselves, a pat on the bum or words to bless."

Name: Dan
Age: 31
Profession: Gainfully unemployed, but world traveler will do

Ultimate Valentine's Day:
"Huh, don't know, but happy VD! ;)"

Name: Micheal
Age: 29
Profession: Systems administrator.  I make servers act cloudy.

Ultimate Valentine's Day:
"Scouting the best chocolate to hit up the next day with my wife."

Ultimate Valentine's Day gift:
"Quiet time?"

Name: Tyler
Age: 18
Profession: 1st year university student

Ultimate Valentine's Day: 
"A romantic boat ride through the fjords of Norway at night while caressed with folk songs. We'd have to make a pit stop at McDonalds like any university student before we continued with our evening; I'd let her pick anything on the menu - even the baked apple pies. After that, we would fly to the tropical islands of Fiji: torches set up to light the path leading to a cabin with a waterfall. We would enjoy our McDonalds fries without guilt and end the night watching the stars (with hopes that we don't get bitten by some venomous spider that is definitely lurking in our bedroom)."

Ultimate Valentine's Day gift: 

"The ultimate gift for any girl (or boy) is to have their tuition completely paid for. Since that's only semi-romantic, I would take her to any place she wants to and let her choose whatever she wants to do whenever she feels like doing it. By letting her pick what she wants to do and having the privilege of spending time with her is a gift not only for her but me too."

Last but not least, my husband's contribution:
Name: Keegan
Age: 34
Profession: Engineer

Ultimate Valentine's Day:
"Moonlight cross-country skiing to a natural hot spring, then star-gazing in the hot spring... with my wife in a bikini."

Ultimate Valentine's Day gift:
"Oooo... a ring laser gyro... to my wife's heart!"  
(My husband is totally aDORKable.)