We, at The (real) Stepford Wives Association believe strongly that Valentine's Day is strictly for those we love -- specifically our husbands. We routinely keep our personal expectations of the day ultra low. We do not ever supply our husbands with wish lists from Tiffany and Co. Or any other place. We go the extra mile to assure their day is nice.
In the days ahead of the holiday, we will buy our husbands a lovely card, note: a nice card, without disparaging sayings about failed household projects that are supposed to humorous. We do not ever use any holiday or birthday for that matter to "pick" on our husbands. It is an opportunity to demonstrate our love and desire for them, never to put them down.
Should our husbands decide to honor us with a gift of candy or flowers (or anything else) we accept it graciously and fawn over it. A gift you ask for is not really a gift and if our husbands decide to give one it comes from their own hearts. That is truly the real gift. We do not espouse to the Hallmark version of what this holiday means.
The day traditionally begins with breakfast, and it is whatever is our husband's favorite dish we can prepare. Yes, it can require that we get up even earlier to set out bread to rise for our incredible cinnamon pecan buns. One in our group loves a Denver styled omelet, others have their own favorite. Whatever it is we take pride in providing it, sometimes with a Valentine's Day flourish.
It is a complete day of their favorites and we do whatever needed to ensure that their day is stress free. Should the holiday fall on a work day, for example, we are certain to pack a lunch for him, so he isn't bothered with trying to find a place in a restaurant. It will include whatever he believes to be the perfect lunch, even if it means grilling a chicken breast to perfection outdoors in snow in the early morning hours so he can have a grilled chicken sandwich for lunch.
Sometimes we will deliver the lunch to them, but only if the gesture is welcomed by them. A nice cloth napkin, like the finest restaurant adds a personal touch. Last year, one of our Stepford Sisters found her husband out of town on that day so she arranged room service to deliver him a proper meal when he returned to the hotel after a long day of meetings.
Dinner again is whatever their favorite meal might be, again and it cannot be stressed enough, that it is whatever he most loves to dine.
Spend the day doing extra special things for him, such as cleaning his golf clubs, washing his car, or cooking his mother's recipe for lasagna. Nothing is too daunting for us. Don't expect praise or recognition for whatever you do. It is not done for that reason or a way to bounce up and down "look at me!" It is simply a gesture to show how much our husbands mean to us.
It should be about them alone. So if your husband enjoys a soak in the hot tub after a long day with work weary people, by all means have a towel ready for him. Help him undress and make sure the hot tub is all ready to go. Dinner can be held when he is ready.
We at The (real) Stepford Wives Association believe in making Valentine's Day extra special for the men we love, admire and who provide for us and enrich our lives.
