If you have Valentine’s Day marked in your calendar this year, make sure you do it right and cut the sap.

Do’s and Don’ts of planning: 

Do Keep the Interests and Passions of Your Partner in Mind 

The last thing you want to do is plan a date that only you will enjoy. Dates do take two, after all; so don’t plan an outing to an extravagant Italian restaurant if your lover doesn’t like Italian.

Do Plan in Advance 

Last minute planning will limit your choices and make it harder to do what you really want, especially if your restaurant pick requires a reservation. It also means you will have less of a chance to think out of the box.

Do Include Authenticity 

However you choose to celebrate, make sure to do it from the heart. The holiday is already made fake enough by society, you don’t need to be fake with your sweetheart as well.

Do Try to Ask for Time Off 

You can at least give it a shot; Valentine’s Day comes on a Sunday this year, so you could even make a long romantic weekend out of it if that’s what your relationship needs. Or if you can’t travel, nothing is more romantic than sleeping in and getting brunch together.

Do Pick Your Restaurant and Gift with Care 

This can make or break the evening. If you need restaurant inspiration, check out our picks on pages 50, 51 and 52. There are also gift suggestions on pages 10 and 12

Do Not Forget Your Family Members 

Valentine’s Day is not just about lovers, it should be a celebration of love in general. It may not require a gift for everyone, but at least a phone call and a nice card to show you were thinking of them.

Do Not Try to Have a Romantic Walk Along the Nile 

We repeat, do not try to have a romantic walk along the Nile. Yes, we understand the appeal of the ancient banks, but not only is it cheesy, it will be crowded and nothing kills the mood faster than harassment. We are also vetoing falookas.

Do Not Bury Yourself in Chocolate 

No matter how tempting they are, do not go crazy on the festive treats. You will only make yourself sick and feel down about the waistline you were supposed to be working on.

Do Not Be Afraid to Be Creative 

This holiday comes around every year; you may at some point find yourself in a rut. If your Valentine’s Day looks the same as it has the past five years, maybe it’s time to try something new.

Do’s and Don’ts of dining:

Do Make Service a Top Priority

This can make or break any restaurant, so make sure for Valentine’s that your restaurant of choice has good reviews when it comes to service. Look for warmth, courtesy, and style.

Do Dress for the Occasion

We have full confidence that you have a great sense of style, just make sure your Valentine’s Day outfit lines up with the mood of the restaurant. If you look too elegant, too casual, too sexy, or not sexy enough, you will feel out of place.

Do Put Your Phones Away

Yes, it is becoming cliché to remind people that you should put away the mobiles while spending time together, but it is very true. By all means you should actually be with them and not checking Whatsapp messages. This is time to be together as a couple, take advantage of it.

Do Be Polite to the Waiter

Being condescending to the service reflects poorly on your character. If you have a problem with your food or anything, deal with it politely so you don’t put the whole meal on edge.

Don’t Go Cheap on the Menu

While price might be at the forefront of your mind, remember that some cuisines are simply more romantic than others. Of course if you and your sweetheart have a special favourite, indulge in that. Otherwise, leave the more adventurous options for another day, and opt for something classic, like French. Essentially, anything that is tricky to eat and takes the attention from the date, avoid it.

Don’t Think Any Lighting Is Okay

Avoid anything that is so bright and awkward you feel as if you are in the spotlight. You should be able to relax in soft light that will compliment both you and your date’s features.

Don’t Underestimate Your Time

We are all guilty of running late, but you don’t want to be stressed rushing to your date. It will quickly kill your mood and start the night on the wrong foot. When making your reservation, give yourself ample time to make it there from work, including prep time.

Don’t Pick a Restaurant That’s Not “You”

All other advice aside, at the end of the day you need to pick a place that feels comfortable to you. If you are going to feel self conscious about which fork you are using or where to put your napkin, either research these basics ahead of time or just go somewhere that’s more in your comfort level. You should be able to relax and enjoy the evening.

Don’t Take a Picture of Your Food

Not only does taking a picture of your food interrupt the flow of the evening, it can actually be rude, especially if you picked a fine dining restaurant. Trust us, Instagram doesn’t need another filtered photo with the hashtag “foodporn.” This date is about you and your special someone, not about everyone knowing what you did for Valentine’s.

Be creative:

Breakfast

Maybe both of you have jobs that keep you busy in the evenings. Call in a little late and disappear together for an early romantic breakfast instead of dinner. It would be a nice change from the crowded dinner rush.

Real Life Escape Rooms

Maybe this year you should be a little adventurous and try something active. Go alone as a couple or with some friends and try Escape or Trapped. It will put a completely new spin on how you see the special day.