If cooking a romantic dinner isn't quite your thing, don't
worry, we still have you covered - whatever your style.
Indulgent
Let the experts set the scene for an amorous holiday. Try the
Fairmont Washington D.C.'s Romeo & Juliet
Package (from $189,
www.fairmont.com),
which provides a love potion for two and a room with balcony views.
The St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco, offers its
Romantic Indulgence package (from $524,
www.stregis.com), complete with Champagne and flowers
upon arrival and daily breakfast for two served in the room. Or
spoil each other with
Hotel Jerome's Aspen Be My
Valentine Package, which includes two-day lift passes for
two and the services of a bath butler ($595,
www.hoteljerome.com).
Undeniably Cool
For something a little more laid-back - and a little less mushy -
wow your sweetie with tickets to a concert or sporting event. Here
are some of our faves.
-Billy Joel, February 14, Colonial Center in
Columbia, South
Carolina. $51 to $90,
www.thecolonialcenter.com
-Jersey Boys, various dates throughout the month (including
February 14), Curran Theatre, San Francisco. $30 to $90,
www.bestofbroadway-sf.com
-Elton John and the Red Piano, various dates throughout the month
(including February 14), the Colosseum at
Caesars Palace, Las
Vegas. $250 and up, (888) 435-8665 or
www.ticketmaster.com
-Miami Heat vs.
San Antonio Spurs, February 11, American Airlines
Arena,
Miami. $10 to $350,
www.aaarena.com
Corny (but Poetic)
Find a sunny spot, spread out your blanket, and unload the picnic
basket. We love the idea of a thermos of chilled martinis made with
Kröl Lemon-Raspberry Vodka. And for the caviar, go American with
farmed roe from Sterling,
California. Try it on bagels with crème
fraîche and smoked salmon. www.krolvodka.com,
www.sterlingcaviar.com
Let the Numbers
Speak
People who dismiss Cupid's shining moment as a "Hallmark holiday"
aren't all that far off - 180 million gift cards are exchanged on
average each year, and that's not even counting kiddie classroom
exchanges at schools across the country. But the tradition actually
predates the greeting-card company by hundreds of years. Here's a
load of other fun statistics to get you geared up for wooing come
February 14. - Kevin Raub
$13.7 billion
Estimated Valentine's Day spending in
2006
189 million
Number of roses produced for Valentine's Day in 2006
28%
of Americans dine out on Valentine's Day, spending
an average of $62 on their filets mignons and shrimp
scampi
$2.6 billion
Amount spent on jewelry in the month of February in 2006
More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of
chocolate were sold for Valentine's Day 2006
About 8 billion
hearts will be produced this year, which is enough candy to stretch
from
Rome,
Italy, to Valentine,
Arizona, and back again 20 times -
Now that's love
133,000Number of U.S. marriages performed in February 2006, according to National Center for Health Statistics 269
Number of marriage ceremonies that took place at the Little White Wedding Chapel in
Las Vegas on Valentine’s Day 2006