Dial 'V' For Valentine's!

While we've heard of candy hearts that put the 'sweet' in sweet tooth and big romantic gestures that bring tears to a person's eyes (well, awww!), we were thinking... why not get a little more creative (read: wacky)? This year, get your partners a really special gift (mostly in kind). We'll show you how to spill red and how.

Set Sail

Are you or your partner afraid of water? Well, it's time to put your hydrophobia aside because you both are going to go sailing! Pack a bottle of red or white wine and two flutes; voila, you're good to go. On weekends and public holidays, you can book the Pelican (a vintage boat) for Rs 2400 for an hour of sailing from the Gateway Of India and back, while weekdays the price is Rs 1800 per trip. The tip here would be to plan it a little before the day. These trips are conducted mostly during early evening time which really sets the mood. If you're lucky, you might spot porpoises on your sailing trip (weee)! To book a sail, contact Rushikesh Kulkarni at 9820023362 or e-mail them at breakfreejourneys@gmail.com.
If you're planning a luxurious cruise for your love, there's one you can book on the Shazma from West Coast Marine. Plan it for V-Day and enjoy the sunset together. There's a cabin for two - a blissful escape, indeed. To inquire, contact Melvyn at 22856127 or 7738041700. E-mail them at charter@westcoastmarine.co.in.

Score With Best Mate!

Now is the time to make amends if you were rude to her best friend or for the time you decided that you disliked his best buddy because he burped in your face. If it's a present you're getting for a guy, get him two tickets for the next big sports game or sponsor the drink tab for a night out for the two of them (that way, you decide where they go). For your lady, we'd suggest getting her and her best friend vouchers for a spa (don't freak out, we're not suggesting a super expensive package); you could even get them both vouchers for a foot spa (and of course, you'd have the added bonus of them talking about how nice you are).
some great deals and you can figure out a great offer for two people.
AromaThai and Sukho Thai Foot Spa have AromaThai - Palladium Mall, Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, Tel: 66159365 Sukho Thai Foot Spa - 1 Dheeraj Affaire, Turner Road, Bandra (W), Tel: 26411264

Brownie Points

While baking brownies for your sweetie might be conventional, hiding clues or notes in it wouldn't be. Get a permanent marker (preferably non-toxic lest you want V-Day turning into a horrible tragedy for you) and butter-paper; write funny notes or saucy ones (depending on how long you two have been seeing each other or your partner might be like)! You could write sweet/corny notes like 'You're my candy', 'Even if you pile on the pounds, I'll follow you like a bloodhound' or 'You will always be my sugar'. You can even have folded notes with funny doodles (nope, not naked people, we'd suggest) on them. This idea is easy, fun and slightly crazy. Save yourself time and pick up a brownie mix from Betty Crocker's or Fun Foods (plus that way, you'd be certain that you won't be baking a piece of inedible lard).
You can find these mixes at a regular grocery store.
Godrej Nature's Basket - 133, Hill Road, Bandra (W), Tel.: 26425050

Candy Hearts

Ah, creative people, get your art-supplies out and start working on making realistic-looking human hearts. We're kidding (have a sense of humour already, jeez)! But yeah, you could make hearts out of plaster of Paris even if you think that you're creatively challenged. It's really easy, buy some plaster of Paris from any Hobby Ideas outlet and mould it into two hearts. Once, they've hardened, have them painted in red. Lay the hearts in a box, and spill some red paint underneath them (My Bloody Valentine, indeed, huh)? Once you've suitably freaked your partner out, give them your 'real' present (jewellery, movies, fancy dinner reservation). The idea is wacky and wild (to throw them off-track basically) but your partner would appreciate the funny in you, so don't be all riled.
Hobby Ideas - Mahalaxmi Chamber, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Breach Candy, Tel.: 23522466
Got any more ideas up your sleeve? What are you planning for your partner this Valentine's? Tell us here, we'd love to know.