Judgement Dave blog

Yes, it's that time of year again. Love is in the air and so are lovey-dovey images of hearts, flowers, candy, and cupid.

While a few of you may actually relish this time of year, most of you are probably confused as to what your gal expects of you. After all, Valentine's Day is when she's waiting to be pampered and, like it or not, she may even be using the day to test your interest in her.

But don't let the pressure get you down. Along with the stress also comes an invaluable opportunity to impress her. A quick perusal of the following Valentine's Day myths might surprise you - they may even burst some of your long-held beliefs about the holiday. So read on and you'll be in good shape to minimize your effort and maximize the advantages that Valentine's Day can afford you.

MYTH #1
"It's okay to skip Valentine's Day"
Why this is false: She might realize that it's a hyped-up holiday, but that won't get you off the hook completely. She'll see her friends going on dates and wonder why you aren't stepping up to the plate.

What to do instead: You can keep Valentine's Day low-key and celebrate it in your own way. Plan an activity that you both enjoy and declare it your own celebration -- like ice skating, tobogganing or hiking. Any activity that you do together will show her that you gave the day some thought.

MYTH #2
"You have to celebrate on February 14th"
Why this is false: No one says you have to celebrate on the same day as everyone else -- that's so conventional.

What to do instead: Pick another day in the week to plan your date and declare that day your own personal Valentine's Day. Places will be less crowded and you won't be made to feel like another sheep in the crowd. She won't care when you celebrate as long as she sees you've put some thought into it. She may even appreciate mixing it up.

MYTH #3
"You're saving money for a vacation together, so it's OK to skip Valentine's Day"
Why this is false: Even though she agreed to save money too, this is a perfect opportunity to win brownie points with her.

What to do instead: Don't plan an expensive date, but do surprise her with an inexpensive (but thoughtful) activity. Plan to meet her for lunch and pack her favorite food in a picnic basket. She'll be impressed that you stuck to a budget while still making her feel special.

MYTH #4
"You've only been dating for a few months, so you won't celebrate"
Why this is false: While you might not want to do anything overly romantic with a new girlfriend, that doesn't mean you have to ignore it. If you don't acknowledge Valentine's Day at all, she might wonder if you are really interested in her.

What to do instead: Don't plan anything romantic. Instead, think of a fun activity. Try planning a dance class or a cooking class to mix things up. Or take her to see a comedy show -- anything to get the two of you laughing together.

For more Valentine's myths, make sure you check out our The top ten things that really annoy women in bed and watch The Dave Guide to Valentine's Bliss