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Uh-oh.

It’s February. You know what that means.

It’s all hearts and romance in your other half’s eyes. But you? You’re wondering who on earth thought it was a good idea to put Valentine’s Day and Christmas so close together on the calendar.

Didn’t you only just recover from the major ordeal of finding the perfect gift less than two months ago? And now you’re expected to produce a mushier version in honour of a day someone arbitrarily decided to make “special”.

Fortunately you live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. People travel to Bermuda from around the globe to honeymoon and celebrate anniversaries. This island is romantic without even trying — and that means you’ve got a lot to work with.

Remember, Valentine’s Day isn’t about a sparkling, expensive gift (though — wink wink — that certainly would not go amiss). It’s more about doing something thoughtful to show your other half you think he or she’s someone special.

Here are some romantic ideas that just might keep your romantic flame lit:

Candlelight picnic at Astwood Park — All you need is take-out, a white tablecloth and a few candles to pull this one off. Fortunately the picnic tables — and the fantastic view — are already there. Just make sure you have a back-up plan in case the weather decides not to cooperate.

Make contact during the day — Whether it’s a phone call (think Stevie Wonder - “I just called to say…”) or leaving a note for the other person to find later in the day, your girl or boyfriend want to know you’re thinking about them on Valentine’s Day.

Take a hike — Unless you and your sweetheart are both off on Valentine’s Day, this activity will work best the weekend directly before or after February 14. Choose a sunny day (or an overcast one — some find distant rumbling thunder thrilling), pack some snacks and take off. We suggest someplace secluded, like the less-traversed parts of Warwick Long Bay or Heydon Trust property (make sure you sit inside the chapel!). Make sure to declare your love (or at least kiss) at some point along the way.

Let the man take the woman out — For most women, getting dressed up to go out is fun. We appreciate it when you’ve had enough foresight to make dinner reservations. (And it gives us something to brag about to all our friends.) Take us dancing afterward, and we’ll be in heaven.

Or, stay in — Valentine’s Day falls almost in the middle of the workweek this year, so going out after a long day at the office might not be your idea of fun. In that case, plan a meal at home. Follow it up with the lady’s favourite romance movie — even if that ends up being Titanic (and don’t make fun of the mushy parts).

A romantic getaway — There’s nothing quite as exciting as a surprise trip. Even if it’s just for one night, we’ll appreciate the pains you took to organize a romantic weekend getaway. New York and Miami — both accessible via direct flights from Bermuda — make great locations.

On the water — If you have access to a boat, take us on a sunset cruise or set aside an afternoon the weekend before Valentine’s Day to explore the high seas together.

For guys — Have flowers delivered to your girl at work. We love the envious looks we get from all the other women who wish their men were just as thoughtful as you.

Go out somewhere you don’t normally — If you live in the East End, head west. Hang out in Dockyard? Try Tobacco Bay. Find a restaurant or attraction you’ve never visited and spend time exploring it together.

Write something in the card – I don’t mean you should spend hours composing an award-winning love poem. Just handwrite a little note inside a nice card that tells your loved one how you feel. (They’ll keep it forever).[[In-content Ad]]

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