What Women Want - Get Aways & Surprises: Roses D'Or

Make reservations at a restaurant you know she'd been dying to try (or the first place you had dinner together), plan a weekend away, or make an effort to spend a bit of time one on one doing something "fun". During my lunch break yesterday my co-workers and I were talking about how sometimes it's hard to break the routine of everyday life. "I never go out anymore" one said, "After having kids, even if we do go out, it's all together. And I'm the one who has to plan it."

I don't even have kids yet, but just the other day I mentioned to my husband, "We haven't done anything fun, just the two of us, in a couple of weeks."

A number of women mentioned the appeal of surprises and get aways. Here are their comments:

“Go out dancing or take a dancing lesson. Dancing is just always nice (My boyfriend got a set of salsa dancing lessons for us for christmas. Our second lesson falls on valentines day.)” –LK

“A secret location rendezvous for a nice dinner. Adds a bit of intrigue and anticipation because she doesn't know what to expect but not enough to stress anyone out.” – LK

“so speaking of romantic, my husband called me on friday afternoon and asked me to pack for two days for a surprise and asked me to meet him in New York City, he had booked us a hotel in SoHo, and made reservations for brunch and dinner for the whole weekend. It was awesome. So I guess my suggestion would be a vacation in your own town--we were far enough from the apartment that we didn't want to do errands, but close enough that there was no travelling stress :)” – SR

“Something fun is when the guy plans a cool place to go but doesn't say where we're going, and then it's a surprise... pretty much anytime the guy has a plan of where we're going and what we're doing (obviously it has to be activities that he thinks I will enjoy), then it's pretty romantic because he put thought and planning into it.” – MK

“Surprises before valentines day or a special day so you know they were planning ahead of time.“ -KF

“V-day, B-day, etc - I am a fan of the surprise weekend getaway. It doesn't have to be a total financial blow-out. Last year for Valentine's day, he packed my bags for me, picked me up from work and stole me away for a night at a nearby lake house where he is a property manager (he had the owner's permission, of course!). We cooked Thai food together and played house!” – AK

“I find it totally romantic when he plans a whole day for us. or a date or anything really. When he plans something I love it, because it's a surprise for me as to what we'll be doing AND I don't have to do any work. Anything which is a total surprise, whether it be, he showing up at my school unexpected to take me to lunch or bringing me a chai latte just because, is romantic.” – LA

“A date that starts with a scavenger hunt or a "surprise" date- everywhere you go and everything you do is a surprise” - NM

"I also would like it if my man said he would buy me one nice dress or something. We'd go together, I would try them on, and he would choose (with my approval of course), making it "his" dress” – NT

“My best Valentine's day ever was with my boyfriend, back in high school. We exchanged gifts and cards like you normally do, and we went out to dinner. While we were in the restaurant, it began to snow. Not just a little bit, but BUCKETS. We pay our bill and he insists I wait inside while he brings the car around. He has drawn hearts with his finger all over the car...I mean all over and I literally melted. Not because it was the most expensive present or the best poem in the whole world but because it was spontaneous and completely from his heart. I remember he had the cheesiest grin on his face, like he was so proud of himself. That being said, it's the extra step in every day life (be it Valentine's day or any day) when a guy does something above and beyond to let you know how special you are. If he feels something and wants to tell you, he should...be vulnerable boys; we like it :) “- AR

“So here is something that I found really sweet instead of going out for fondue my boyfriend at the time surprised me and bought all the ingredients and we made it at home instead!” – NS

“I would say..surprises! Of course, not materialistic surprises..For example, I love little notes left around places that you encounter frequently (i.e. office drawer, car) and it makes you think about them throughout the day. This can apply to men with significant others or someone with a significant other in mind, right? It's always the thought that counts. I'm all about the little things that remind you of the man in your life.” :-) - AM

Roses d'Or Bread & Butter Plate (HP35032) - $675