A Guy's Guide to Last-Minute Valentine's Day Ideas

For Those Among Us Who Failed to Make a Valentine's Day Plan

First of all, you should have made a plan. Running out to Walgreen's at 10:15 am on February 14 to grab a card and a desktop fountain is not a plan. A plan is something that you make way in advance and you keep secret so that when it starts to work, you seem like George Clooney or Carey Grant, with everything just sort of rolling your way. You order the flowers delivered, you make the reservations at the restaurant where you have to have reservations six months in advance, when it is time to go, the limo just sort of rolls up and the chauffer opens the doors - you get the picture. You have a plan.

Most of us don't have plans, however, but we still want to come off as smooth. Maybe not George Clooney smooth, but maybe Matt Damon smooth, at least. Here are a few pointers:

1. Leverage what time you do have. If you remember Valentine's Day at 5:23 pm on February 13, you are in great shape. No, you won't get the reservations at the "good" restaurant, but you can still get a table for two at Cattlemen's. If you're one of those rare men who actually know how to cook, the grocery store is open late.

2. If you have money in the bank or a wide open credit card, consider a trip. After the salad has come and you are waiting for your 20 oz. Porterhouse to show up, look deeply in her eyes, take both of her hands in yours and say, "For Valentine's Day this year I want to give you a trip to ____." Make sure it is a romantic destination - the Football Hall of Fame does not count, even if she is a football fan. See, a trip is advantageous to you in two separate ways: First of all, you get to give the best Valentine's Day gift ever without ever going to the mall, and second, you are giving her the gift of spending a whole bunch of time with her. The downside is that you may be in for a week or two of abject misery. You need to be careful with this one.