Role Playing for Valentine's Day

If you've been married for a while like me, then you know that Valentine's Day can be anything but romantic. For many married couples it can feel more like an obligation. Guys especially seem to fall victim to the Valentine's Day routine...get a card, buy some flowers and chocolate. But if you'd like to have a Valentine's Day worth remembering here are a couple fun ideas--from easy to elaborate--that I've tried with great results.

Easy: Get all dolled up. Do your hair and make-up. Put on a pair of high heels and an apron with nothing on underneath. If you have kids, ship them out for the night. That alone will make Valentine's evening more fun. Now go about making a light dinner in front of your husband, handing him a glass of wine, enjoying one yourself. Don't want to cook? Bring in take-out and just heat it up.

Moderate: My husband said he always wanted to marry someone with "stripper qualities." Well I wasn't going to hire a stripper for him, but I figured I could still fulfill his fantasy. After your husband gets home from work, tell him you need to run to the store for something. Have your stripper clothes in a bag already in your car. Find the nearest clean bathroom (Starbucks restrooms are nice) and change. Don't forget a coat to cover your outfit. I dressed like an office worker...white blouse, short black skirt, garter belt, stockings and heels. Hair up in a knot, held with a pencil for an easy release. Pack a cd of music. When you return home, park on the street and knock on the front door. When your husband answers say, "Are you Mr. _____? Your wife ordered a stripper for you. May I come in?" Try really hard not to laugh! That's the hardest part. Now put a chair in the middle of the room, put on your cd, lower the lights and have some fun. You don't have to be Demi Moore to be a good stripper. Your husband/boyfriend will be blown away that you are doing this for him.

Elaborate: Turn your living room into an Arabian oasis. This takes lots of planning, which for me was half the fun. Here are some ideas for how to do this. I rented six small palm trees to put around the room. Move most of the furniture out of the living room or at least move to the walls. Then place a mattress on the floor covered with sheets and as many pillows as you can round up. I stapled sheets to the ceiling so they hung down, making it look like we were in a tent. Tapestries can be stapled to the walls to hide family photos and your normal decor. Candles, lots of candles. Belly dancing music. I bought food from a local Lebanese restarant so I didn't have to cook. Then the best part...I dressed as a belly dancer. Talk about a fun way to spend the evening.

Here's my number one tip for enjoying Valentine's Day...don't expect anything like this from your spouse. Have fun creating the experience and enjoy the results and you'll never be disappointed!

So what have you done to make Valentine's Day, or night, an experience to remember?