Valentines Day Gifts

I saw a press release today for a company called Lobster Gram, where it says that their products would make great…Valentines Day Gifts? Really, a lobster gram?

I mean, I can understand getting one of those for another event in February, Super Bowl Sunday, but I’m not so sure about Valentines Day. Well, I guess if someone is a a huge lobster / seafood fan. And their Valentines package does have a heart-shaped cake.

Happy New Year, everyone!  Sorry it’s been awhile……. 

I know Clueless Guy and I have mentioned going out to dinner on maybe more than one occasion but it’s one of my favs and can also be romantic.  One of my favorite places to go is Red Lobster.  I can never get enough seafood and the Lobster is the best place that’s not so expensive to dine at.

While you’re there, don’t forget to try their famous Lobsterita and the strawberry passion colada.  I know it’s one of Clueless Guy’s personal favs.

And, if you’re not sure if Valentine’s Day is the right day to go out, Red Lobster also has gift cards.                   

I had a chance to join a wine of the month club recently, and I couldn’t be happier with it.  Usually I buy 2 or 3 bottles of wine each month anyway, but I have really no idea what I’m buying, other than it’s red.  I’ll go to Harris Teeter and pick out whatever red wine bottles are marked down the most.  Yup, definitely a connoisseur.  So having experts pick out wine for me is perfect, and I might even develop a taste for certain Merlots or Cabernets (”Cabs” for us experts).

The company I signed up with is GoldMedalWine.com, and they have three different levels of clubs based on your taste and your budget.  If your a big baller and you get bored if brushing your teeth with Dom, you may want to join the Diamond Club, which ranges in price from $150-$180 per month (although they limit that club to 500 entrants).  But if you’re like me and don’t have the discerning palate just yet and/or don’t have the budget, you’ll want to go with the $30/mo Gold Club.  But who knows, maybe I’ll be movin’ on up one of these days.

And for Valentines Day or Christmas, they have gift cards available.  This would be perfect to get that special woman who likes a variety of wine.  Or perhaps you know she likes wine, but you just haven’t been paying attention and don’t really know what kind.

Anyway, very happy so far - can’t wait to get more next month!

Have you ever wanted to know all there is to know about wine?  Like maybe what is a Pinot?  Or a Merlot?  Solution:  Join a wine club.

With 4 Seasons you receive a 12 bottle case every 3 months with wine from all over the world.  At least with this gift you won’t feel so dumb ordering wine in a restaurant.  It’s a great gift to share with your special someone or even something nice to get for Mom and Dad!

Wow Hot Chick, you’re going to force a guy to watch How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, then you get to go to the spa all by yourself? What is this, pamper only women day? Hmmm, yes I suppose it is. I have to say though, I like the Notebook, I’ve never seen Dirty Dancing or that fake orgasm movie, but How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is by far one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. Just awful. I had to watch it in a hotel room where there was nowhere else to go - just torturous, mindless drivel. Matthew McConaughey is like Ben Affleck - it’s possible for him to be in a good movie, but not because of what he does, just as long as he doesn’t ruin it (think Dazed and Confused). I’m going to have to start doing a top ten for porn or something.

Anyway Hot Chick, if you’re being pampered, what does your man get to do? Maybe if you get to spend the day at the spa, you should get him tickets to his favorite sporting event. Or maybe even get him a gift certificate to his favorite sports bar so he can watch 10 games at a time while drinking beer and not having to worry about the bill.

I know that Valentine’s Day is in February so it may be a little cold but who said you had to be outside to enjoy a romantic picnic? Personally, I think all that matters is that you’re with the one you love.

But again, who doesn’t love a picnic? Yuummmmmm, sandwiches, chesse and crackers, champagne. All my favs. And of course my man enjoying the meal too. It’s a great and romantic way to spend the day. And, if the weather turns out to be nice afterall, take your picnic to the park.

My limited cooking knowledge consists of how to make:

1) spaghetti

2) tacos (although my brother claims that buying the Taco Bell brand seasoning is cheating)

3) frozen waffles

4) cereal

Now that I think about it, I’m not so sure those last two actually qualify as cooking, but I’m pretty darn good at it. (Mmmmm, waffles with peanut butter.)

I imagine most of you guys are like me and have no idea how to make a nice meal. Any knowledge that you gained from that home ec class back in 6th grade was probably killed off by keg stands a long time ago. I’ve also heard that cooking is one of those skills that can impress women, just like drawing and wolverine hunting.

So why not take the time to learn to cook? You have plenty of time between now and Valentines Day to learn and come up with the perfect stay-at-home dining experience. There are plenty of cooking books out there, like Cooking for Dummies.

But why not go the extra mile and take some cooking lessons? I couldn’t find a directory online of local cooking classes, but I’m sure there are some in any area, like this one local to me at Fearrington Village. That would probably be fun, plus it would be a skill for life - and will surprise the hell out of your special lady.