Valentine's Day Ideas for Old Married Couples

You are never too old to be in love. And for all lovers out there, Valentine’s Day is a special time, not only to indulge in youthful pursuits but also to be thankful for a true companion in the autumnal stages of life. So here are a few Valentine’s Day ideas for senior couples who have been married a long while.

A gift of love

Presenting your loved one with the perfect gift is one of the best ways to make Valentine’s Day special. And who doesn’t like gifts - even seniors do. However elderly people could find shopping a strain and the pre-Valentine’s Day rush in the stores are unlikely to make things easier. Moreover, when you already have a house stocked with crockery and items of house décor accumulated over so many years, such gifts seem superfluous. Rather make something by your own hands to tell your loved one how special he/she is. A love scrapbook never fails to hit the mark. Prepare a scrapbook with photos of you and your spouse from all your years spent together. It could make a lovely trip down memory lane. However if dabbling in arts and crafts seems strenuous, you could simply write a letter, telling your spouse how much he/she means to you. Fold some rose petals within it and tie it up with a satin ribbon. Then again if this seems way to sentimental for you, you could even make a ‘Box Full of Love’. Find a small box and embellish it in a way that you think represents the recipient. Fill the box with small notes which say, "I love you because..." Finish each statement with a singular reason. This is romantic without being mushy; it won’t cost you anything and best of all won’t require a trip to the store in bad weather.

Take off

Yet another great Valentine’s Day idea is to go somewhere special to spend it together. If you have been planning to take a cruise or a tropical vacation for a while, now is the best time to speed things up. Only make sure that your tour or cruise provider has special arrangements for elderly couples. Also when going for a vacation, stay away from extreme climates and harsh topographies as well as destinations which are deemed unsafe for foreigners. However if you do not have the physical or financial capability to undertake a major journey, how about finding a place nearer home to go vacationing? It could mean anything from heading for the nearest beach or making a proper four-day trip to Florida. But then if you cannot be bothered to go through flight delays and holiday rush, simply make an appointment at the local spa or a health resort near your town. You will not only be indulging yourselves some with beauty care, massage and sauna but actually end up feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, both in body and spirit.

Dinner for two

The traditional dinner date still reigns in popularity when it comes to celebrating special occasions like Valentine’s Day. If you are lucky enough to have somebody else do your daily cooking, make this occasion special by rustling up something for you and your spouse. It could be a no-frills three course meal with a salad, main course and dessert. Or you could go elaborate and also add an entrée and side dish. Only take care not to stress yourself or you will be too tired and cranky to enjoy what you have made with such care. On the other hand, if you want to relax this Valentine’s Day, go out to dinner together. Just be sure to reserve your table at the restaurant of your choice well in advance since the evening rush on Valentine’s Day can be heavier than usual. To make things interesting, give special attention to the place where you are going to have dinner. It could be a spot that is known for its romantic ambience, a place your partner has expressed an interest in trying, or a location significant to your personal relationship, such as the place where you first met. Ask the maitre de chef about their Valentine’s Day special menu and if they have special offers of senior couples, don’t hesitate to enquire. Above all, no matter where you go and what you choose to eat, forget about domestic worries for the time being. Put out all thoughts about doctor’s appointments and leaky faucets and simply bask in the glow of a love affair that has stood the test of time.

Do what you enjoy

If you and your partner are fit enough to venture outdoors, there are a whole lot of entertainment options which are sure to make your Valentine’s Day special. For lovers of classical arts, an evening at the opera is truly a treat. Or if you both like something more animated, how about booking tickets for the theater or dropping by your local comedy club. On the other hand if you both like to stay put indoors after sundown, you can have a good time browsing through a museum, an art gallery or a historical place during the day, depending where your interests lie. Even a day spent lounging at the beach, exploring a county fair or taking a river cruise at evening can make for wonderful Valentine’s Day ideas, provided you are lucky enough to have good weather at this time of the year.

In the marketing blitz that precedes every Valentine’s Day, very often older, married couples seem conspicuous by their absence. However just because all the retail and dining businesses target the younger, financially stronger crowd, doesn’t mean that it is not a significant occasion for you. So plan something special for your sweetheart of so many years and let this Valentine’s Day be a celebration of all the love, faith and patience that has seen you stick together for all this time.