Valentine's Day tips from Honda of El Cerrito

This Valentine's Day, Think Outside the (Candy) Box

The same old, same old just isn’t cutting it any more. A box of candy and a bouquet of roses are nice, but we’ve all been there and done that. This Valentine’s Day, break out of the ordinary and give your loved one something special.

Now, that’s amore!

Instead of going out to your favorite restaurant, recreate it at home. A candle light dinner at home (sans kids) is about as romantic as it gets. A cozy Italian bistro is easy to replicate. Here’s what you’ll need:

Straw-wrapped Chianti bottles with candles in them

Straw wrapped Chianti with Chianti in them

A white table cloth and napkins

Mood music. You can go with classic Bellagio fountain Andrea Bocelli or something a little more fun like Dean Martin.

Christmas lights. Hang a few strings of Christmas light around the room for the full bistro effect.

If you don’t have time to cook, pick up some tasty to-go food. Don’t forget the dessert!

It’s no picnic, or is it?

Even though Valentine’s Day is smack dab in the middle of February, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a romantic picnic. Fireside picnics are even more romantic than their outdoor counterparts and, bonus, no ants. The key to a good fireside picnic is that you treat it like a real picnic. Pack a hamper full of tasty goodies, lay out a comfy blanket and don’t forget the wine.



A red letter day

Even if you’ve never thought you were good with words, this one’s a winner. Write your valentine a love letter. It doesn’t have to be Robert Browning; it just has to be honest. Tell them how you really feel. Letting it all out in a love letter is a gift that will never be forgotten. Here are few tips to help you write a love letter sure to melt your valentine’s heart.

Stationary. Get some high quality stationary and a nice black pen. No computer printouts, unless your lover’s name is Univac.

Get yourself in the mood. Don’t dash this off between meetings. Put on some romantic music, look at a few pictures and let your inner poet out.

What to write. Tell them why you love them. When you fell in love with them. Remember a special moment. When you proposed, when you met, or when you knew it was love.

Adjectives are your friends. Be expressive. Describe things. Use a thesaurus if you get stuck.

Just remember, if you can think it, you can write it. Don’t edit yourself. Let it come. You can always start again.

Who wrote the Book of Love?

You did! Or, you can. Create a mini book of love. Choose ten or twenty of your favorite photos and write captions. You can use Kodak or Zazzle or dozens of other sites to build your book online using your digital photos. This great little book will be cherished. It can spark old memories and help you create a few new ones.
Whatever you give this Valentine’s Day, just make sure it’s an expression of love and not an “I was at the car wash and this pine-scented air freshener made me think of you” gift. A little thought and effort goes a long way.


ABOUT HONDA OF EL CERRITO



Honda of El Cerrito was one of the first Honda dealerships to open in this country and has been an established Honda Dealer in the Bay Area for more than 35 years. Honda of El Cerrito serves the entire Bay Area, including San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, Orinda, Danville, Dublin and the Peninsula. In 1993, Honda of El Cerrito became a member of the Hendricks Automotive Group, which consists of more than 60 automobile dealerships nationally. Honda of El Cerrito is proud to offer great deals on new and pre-owned Hondas, including the Honda Accord, Honda Crosstour, Honda Civic, Honda CR-V, Honda Element, Honda FCX Clarity, Honda Fit, Honda Insight, Honda Odyssey, Honda Pilot and Honda Ridgeline. Learn more at www.hondaelcerrito.com or call us at (888) 241-4477.