On Picking A Valentine's Card
Advice for us last-minuters.
So you haven’t gotten a card yet and the choices seem overwhelming? Don’t panic. Here are a few basic rules to help you through—
The best time to get a card was two weeks ago; the second best time is right now. Don’t let self-consciousness about not having done it yet keep you from doing what you should.
Yes, some cards will be gone—the most common and popular ones. But nothing about your love is common, is it? Any store worth its salt will have a selection of cards left over, and there are usually enough flavors of card to match your general vibe. If things really seem dead at the first greeting card aisle you try, try another.
If a card is sort-of-but-not-quite appropriate for you and your honey, buy it and edit it. Mark out and replace words in magic marker or add your own snarky commentary inside. Don’t be shy: once you bought the card, it’s your card. It’s there to help you express your feelings.
You can get two. If no one thing seems like it’s quite clicking, two cards might. Sometimes I elect to get a funny card and a serious card—because I want to cover that spread: I want to let my wife know she’s the best decision I ever made but I also want to relax her with a goofy joke we’ve heard a dozen times before.
Remember, it’s the little things. The idea here is not to put too much weight on a single piece of paper; it’s just a little gesture to show you care, and it’ll go better as part of a series of such gestures—cleaning without being asked, being around and attentive when your partner wants you around and attentive, suggesting activities, looking after your partner’s feelings. Put some thought into picking that card, but don’t be too hard on yourself. The valentine you buy is less important than the valentine that you are.
