Valentine’s Day can be a hard needle to thread. If you're like my wife and me, you view it largely as a “Hallmark holiday” that doesn’t merit a whole lot of fuss. At the same time, it still doesn’t feel right to ignore it all together. But even if there is ambivalence, your partner is unlikely to protest if you take cupid by the wings and make a thoughtful and spontaneous gesture. An overnight 'staycation' is a great way to avoid Valentine’s Day anxiety, not to mention the cliches of cards, candy and roses. (And we all love to hear the words, “Pack a bag, we’re going away this weekend!”)

February 14th falls on a Sunday this year (this Sunday!), so pick a nice hotel or B&B close to home and check in on Saturday afternoon. As of this writing, there were availabilities in some of Providence’s finer hotels, though you may find a reservation is easier to find on Friday evening. But if you strike out in PVD, consider Boston, Bristol or Newport. Or, if you’re up for a bit of a drive, Salem, Provincetown, and Western Massachusetts are charming local destinations with definite romantic appeal. This might not be the most budget-friendly way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but you can also look at it as a mid-winter recharge. 

The best thing about this type of getaway is that there is no pressure to do and see anything. There’s minimal planning and packing, and no train stations or airports to navigate. It's all about high thread counts, relaxing, and focusing on each other. If you lead a kid-centric life, a staycation offers the chance to do things that you probably don’t get to do between playdates and bedtime routines, like drinking champagne in the middle of afternoon, or taking an indulgent nap until dinner. Also, many higher end hotels have in-house spas, and there is nothing better than a couples massage to help you de-stress and heighten the romantic vibe. Or you might decide to put the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the hotel room door and stay in until check out, because room service!

Tips

1. If you don’t have luck finding a reservation online, call the hotel directly. Sometimes there are availabilities that don’t make it to the internet.
2. This is the perfect weekend for a social media blackout. Instead of staring at your cell phone, try your partner's eyes. 
3. Don't put pressure on yourself to get every detail perfect. The effort is just as important as the execution. 
    

More About David Santos

David is a husband, father, real estate professional, and singer/songwriter with the Boston-based band Eddie Japan (2013 Winners of the prestigious Rock 'N' Roll Rumble). He also loves clothes. Be sure to click over to his new FB page - Dress Like A Man, where you'll find grooming, health and lifestyle tips for the modern gentleman with an edge.

Photo Credits: Photo courtesy of doorway and key by Brian A. Jackson/Getty Images (used with permisssion); additional photo of David by Chuck Losey