Yes, friend, that day you’ve been looking forward to — or dreading — all year long is right around the corner.  Knowing that you’re the best procrastinator in the world, I’ve put this list together for your last minute scramble to impress your sweetie.

Don’t worry, these Valentine’s Day suggestions won’t break your bank.  Not taking advantage of them, though, might break your heart! Ouch! 😀

What to Do and Where to Do It

No, not THAT kind of DO! Sheesh.

Here are some old and new lists of Valentines Day ideas with details on getting flowers, taking your sweetie to out-of-the-ordinary parties and events, and the requisite V-Day dinner.

The Perfect South Bay Valentine’s Day – I put this list together last year and many of the details still apply.  Print this article out, study it, then put it in your pocket as your South Bay Valentine’s Day bible!

Valentine’s Day on a Budget by Caroline on Crack – Subtitled as “Ideas for my Boyfriend”, this list is right on point with suggestions for romance, excitement, and lots of cheap booze!  She shares links on getting prommed out “Pretty in Pink” style; stuffing your face with all you can eat Mexican foods; and more.

Valentine’s Day PrixFixe Under $60 – I can always count on the ladies at Finer Things LA to find great deals on dinners and drinks.  After all, their mission is to provide “A Classy Guide to Getting Drunk and Fat in LA”! For V-Day, they’ve compiled an extensive list of places to dine around LA that will get keep things lovely with your sweetie AND your check book.

Here are some more ideas for things to do this weekend leading up to V-Day.

Saturday, February 12

Vintage Clothes Shopping at the Queen Mary – Why buy your sweetie a new dress when OLD ones are all the rage!  Take her shopping this Saturday at Inspiration LA, a vintage fashion event.  Tickets purchased online are just $20 for Saturday’s event.  Send him/her a ticket with a note saying “Find something fancy to wear on Monday night!”

• 10 AM – 5 PM, http://inspirationla.com

Free Valentine’s Day Cooking With the Kids – Your sweetie will certainly appreciate this display of affection: get the kids out of the house!  On Saturday you can take them by Whole Foods in Plaza El Segundo for a free cooking class.  In this lesson, children ages 5-12 will learn the nutritional benefits of eating red fruits and veggies. They’ll make a tasty salad and decorate Valentine cupcakes.

• 10 – 11 AM, RSVP to sppchmarketing@wholefoods.com or call 310-333-1900

Sunday, February 11

Free Music From Amazon – Here’s a good one.  Make him/her a CD with free music from Amazon.com.  You can spell out a love letter with album and song titles.  Here are a few to get you started:

• I did you wrong baby, but “The Inevitable Past Is The Future Forgotten”.
• Your parents are cool but I wish they would just “Leave Me Alone!”…With you, of course.
• You are such an “Animal!”
• Let go some where and make out like “Ninjas”.

Monday, February 14

Pourtal’s Valentine’s Day Happy Hour – Check out happy hour at Pourtal in Santa Monica which just so happens to be ALL NIGHT LONG on Monday, 2/14.  You’ll get $5 wines, beer,and small plates until your sweetie says “Let’s go home”.  BYO flowers!

• 4 – 11 PM, http://www.pourtal.com

Whole Foods Wine Pairing for Lovers – Whole Foods Plaza El Segundo will help you woo your sweetie with tastes from four wines during their Valentine’s Day Wine Pairing Event.  For $25/person you get wine paired with hors d’oeuvres from WF’s renowned kitchen.

• 6 – 8 PM, RSVP to sppchmarketing@wholefoods.com or call 310-333-1900

Photo by Dave Parker