First of all, with all the marketing and daily reminders theres no way you could of forgotten valentines day.. unless you live under a rock, with no access to TV, the internet or the world in general (and if you do, I forgive you) then theres no way you couldn’t have known that it was valentines day… but if you forgot to get a gift, thats a different story.
I know what you’re thinking. Maybe your favorite restaurant will have a last minute cancellation, allowing you to sneak in and save the day. Unfortunately, that’s just not how it works. You forgot Valentine’s Day and it’s time to accept your mistake.
Give her your wallet and ATM code.
Take her to a fancy restaurant. Even if you forgot to get her a gift, you can still salvage the day by pretending that you had planned to take her out for the most amazing dinner she’s ever had. The restaurant should have a name that you either can’t pronounce, or whose irony is completely lost on you. Wear a tie and jacket, don’t make a single comment about the menu prices, and let her order anything she wants.
Flowers
It's an old fashioned favorite. You may have forgotten about Valentine's Day, but you didn't forget about your special someone.
Cooking
Formally promise to make it up to them
Brainstorm 50 different date ideas and write them out on strips of construction paper. Throw them all into a mason jar (less than $5 at any home goods store hip enough to know mason jars are totally hot right now) and put the lid on top. Make a label that reads “Date Night,” and commit to making their picks happen, as written, for however long it takes them to forgive you.
Baking
You can bake your special someone's favorite baked goods. Food appeals to all people. It's easy to get forgiveness from a girl if you give her delicious baked goods. Chocolate chip cookies are my weakness.
Picnic
You can make some sandwiches and set a time for you and your sweetheart to enjoy nature. Parks are perfect places for picnics or even a yard. It's a small gesture that shows you care.
Writing
You can write a love letter. It doesn't have to very long, and this gift doesn't cost a thing. The other person will enjoy hearing your thoughts that came straight from the heart.
Celebrating on different day
If Valentine's Day is on a weekday, ask to celebrate it on the weekend if it's more convenient. You still have plans with your significant other. Restaurants are very busy on Valentine's Day, so celebrating later may guarantee you a table at a fancy restaurant.
Check out last-minute delivery services
Many companies offer same-day bouquet delivery, but considering that 51% of flower purchases are red roses, you’re probably too late for the flower of love. Pink roses are close enough though, and you’ll save an average of $20 per bunch. Or scrap the roses altogether and buy Peruvian lilies -- which represent devotion. Make sure to drop that line in the delivery card.
After that, move onto the sweets. In 2015, 53.2% of people put some Valentine’s dollars towards their date’s sweet tooth. Most larger flower delivery services like Interflora and Fromyouflowers.com offer extras like chocolate and champagne, so get it all in a few clicks.
Alternatively, avoid premium pricing and odd delivery times by being the delivery, and showing up unannounced. Hit the supermarket or florist for a bouquet, and find your town’s artisanal chocolate store, like the epically named Dude, Sweet Chocolate in Dallas, and NYC’s century-old Li-lac Chocolates. For all they know, you planned this for weeks!
Make your own desserts
Show some real ingenuity by bringing your own creations. It’s also way simpler than you might think -- chocolate-covered berries.
Prep your space
When restaurant reservations aren’t an option, pull off a romantic dinner at home. But before you invite your date over, make sure your place looks like your were expecting company. Like, really clean it.
If you’ve never picked up a duster in your life, search out local cleaning services like Same Day Maids to do the job for you. Have them arrive as early as possible, so you have enough time to get yourself in presentable shape too. Last thing, warm it all up with scented candles (preferably vanilla and sandalwood -- which are both aphrodisiacs).
Prep your space
When restaurant reservations aren’t an option, pull off a romantic dinner at home. But before you invite your date over, make sure your place looks like your were expecting company. Like, really clean it.
If you’ve never picked up a duster in your life, search out local cleaning services like Same Day Maids to do the job for you. Have them arrive as early as possible, so you have enough time to get yourself in presentable shape too. Last thing, warm it all up with scented candles (preferably vanilla and sandalwood -- which are both aphrodisiacs).
Try out a staycation
In 2015, it was reported that 35.1% of consumers spent a total of $3.6 billion on travel and entertainment plans alone. Translation? A large number of people in your area are taking their baes away for the weekend.
Fake an elaborate getaway by booking a stay at a hotel in your area and take advantage of the perks that come with hotel living. If that last-minute restaurant reservation didn’t work out, room service is a suitably decadent alternative. Afterwards, make like a tourist in your own town and explore everything you typically overlook while rushing to and from work.
Plan an unconventional Valentine’s Day date
Forgetting the usual dinner reservations and flower delivery can be turned to your advantage if you have an unconventional, and ultimately more personal, plan in mind. So use the fact that almost everyone else is going the traditional route to pull off some left-of-field reservations or walk-ins.
Where do you turn first? If your date is into athletics, strap on your protective gear and opt for laser tag, a day at the batting cages or indoor skydiving. Each will provide an adrenaline rush you can’t get at a hotel bar. More interested in entertainment? Host a horror movie marathon with takeout, or head to an art museum after dark. Neither are typically associated with V-Day, which makes them all the more awesome.
There’s always next weekend
As 82% of people say they’d like an experiential Valentine's Day gift, planning a future weekend getaway is the "whoops it's the 14th!" solution to please everybody. Not only will your date be happy, but you'll also buy yourself time to plan, and that includes finding the perfect gift to give them when you arrive. Once you figure out a destination, move swiftly onto the grand reveal. You didn’t think you were actually going to get out of dinner, did you?