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09th Feb 2017

The dos and don’ts of your first Valentine’s Day together

JOE

Brought to you by Newstalk’s George Hook. Get ready for Valentine’s Day by tuning into High Noon from 12-2pm every day this week.

So it’s your first Valentine’s Day together…

Occasions like this can be a minefield when you first get together. How much should you spend? What should you do? How can you make a good impression?

Buying a present can also be tricky if you’ve only been together for two weeks. Good luck finding something meaningful with no frame of reference!

Luckily, we’re here to take the stress out of the situation with a little help from old romantic, George Hook.

Do remember what day it’s on

It may seem obvious but 14 February should be marked in your diary. Forgetting the day is a definite faux pas.

Do discuss it before the big day

Not everyone is into Valentine’s Day so suss out what your other half thinks, and establish each other’s expectations. If they think it’s all a rampant display of excessive consumption, you may have dodged a bullet!

Do have a plan

This is no time to wing it. That’s how you end up present shopping after work on Valentine’s Day as the shops close around you.

Do show some imagination

Romance is all about thinking outside the box, doing something unexpected and surprising your partner with a spontaneous gesture. Don’t panic. You can do this.

Book a romantic weekend away, get creative, or organise a moonlight picnic on the beach. OK, maybe not that last one. It’s still February after all.

Do find out what she likes before splashing out

When you first start going out, every new conversation throws up little titbits of information that you never knew. It’s a wonderful journey of personal discovery but, on the flip side, it means that you’re probably terrible at buying gifts for each other.

Don’t be afraid to ask their mates for tips or to bounce ideas off any mutual friends you share. A box of Ferrero Rocher may seem like a lovely present until you discover that your new love has a nut allergy.

Don’t fall for the “I don’t want anything” line

Maybe they don’t want anything. If you have even the slightest shred of doubt, it pays to have a back-up plan. Worst case scenario – they “give out” to you when you present them with an unexpected gift.

Don’t forget

It’s still on 14 February. Why haven’t you marked it in your diary yet?

Don’t put yourself into debt

Eating in a Michelin restaurant is lovely but not if you have a panic attack every time your dining partner reaches for the drinks menu. It pays to know your limits.

Sure, you want to make a good impression but your new flame is unlikely to want you to starve for the sake of one night out. If they do, it may be time to rethink the arrangement.

Don’t spend the night on your phone

Sure, the Champions League is on but this is no time to check the minute-by-minute for the Barcelona game. Ditch the phone on the night, especially if you’ve only just started going out.

This is your chance to make a good impression, which is probably more important than your Junior B team’s WhatsApp group chat.

Don’t go out with the lads

This could be the difference between you enjoying a brand new relationship and rediscovering the joys of being single.

It’s never a good idea, unless your new flame is already going out with her mates. In which case, you can nip off to watch Barcelona play PSG with a clear conscience!

Click here if you would like to spend Valentine’s Day with George.

Brought to you by Newstalk’s George Hook.