Be my Valentine…

I’ve never been the romantic type, so Valentine’s Day comes as a bit of a shock to the system every year. Few experiences are more painful to me than standing in Clinton Cards trying to pick something out that doesn’t make me want to spew… which is why the ones I choose normally say things like “Resistance is Futile” (I actually sent this once) rather than “I love you more than life itself, snookums”.

One year I absolutely excelled myself. I had been seeing someone for a month or two and thought Valentine’s would be a fairly low-key affair. We were having dinner together, but I felt it was too early for cards or any of that kind of carry-on.

On the way to the venue, I bought him a Cadbury’s Creme Egg. Because to me, there’s no better way of telling someone you like them than by producing that delightful piece of chocolaty goodness. The only problem was, I had to get the bus… and by the time I had trekked to the bus stop, I was hungry.

I turned up to find that my beloved had been rather more considerate than I; his thoughtful gifts were laid out beautifully, and not one of them had even the tiniest of nibble marks. I guiltily handed over the scraps of Creme Egg foil, muttering something about the thought counting. It wasn’t my finest moment – although he later revealed that he didn’t like Creme Eggs (???!), so I felt slightly vindicated.

Perhaps, like me, you are a little romantically challenged… Do you leave it till the last minute and then grab the first card you see, triumphantly scooping up a manky rose at the counter as a special bonus? Have you had any Valentine’s disasters you’d like to share with us? We’d love to hear them!

Anyway, if you struggle every February 14 to find something romantic to do, we might have a little idea up our sleeves for you. Pixengo has launched a new iPhone app that allows you to add a personal recorded message to a still image. You could use it to record a funny message, whisper sweet nothings to your Valentine or even propose! (It’s only a personal opinion, but popping the question by recorded message may not fulfil all her proposal dreams.)

If you’ve already bought a gift, the free app allows you to personalise it in a modern, thoughtful way. For example, you could book a table at your Valentine’s favourite restaurant, take a picture of the venue and then use the app to invite her there for a romantic meal. It’s a small gesture, but we women love the personal touch.

There is even scope for you to send silly messages: the example Pixengo gives on its website is of a man in a mankini accompanied by a cheeky message. Of course, you can make it as fun or as serious as you like.

Now I’m not encouraging you to be lazy or forgetful; it’s good to show the people that we love exactly what they mean to us at least once a year. But this ingenious little app could act as a get-out-of-jail-free card if you are a little less organised than you had planned to be. 

If you didn’t quite get round to ordering that necklace or picking up that special box of chocolates, take a funny picture of something else and let her know that the real gift is on its way! And if you do send a Pixengo message, let us know what you sent and how it was received!

Click here to download the free app from iTunes… and Happy Valentine’s to you all.

(PS you can’t say you forgot now, because we just reminded you!)

Read more from Joy in the next issue of Sorted magazine.