Advice for a Successful Valentine's Day: Avoid Hollywood Clichés

A New York Post columnist offers tips for a more meaningful celebration of love.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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In this New York Post opinion piece, the author cautions against relying on Hollywood tropes for Valentine's Day and instead suggests more thoughtful and personal gestures to celebrate love, such as making a phone call, sending an email, or spending quality time together. The article highlights that true, lasting love requires daily effort, kindness, and understanding, not just grand romantic displays.

Why it matters

With Valentine's Day approaching, the article provides a realistic perspective on relationships and offers advice to readers on how to have a more meaningful celebration, moving beyond the superficial gifts and gestures often depicted in movies and TV shows.

The details

The author warns against common Valentine's Day pitfalls, such as sending flowers that will wilt, using candles that may flicker out, or getting entangled in dental braces. Instead, the author suggests more thoughtful and personal gestures like making a phone call, sending an email, or spending quality time together. The article also notes that true, lasting love requires daily effort, kindness, and understanding, not just grand romantic displays like the ones seen in Hollywood.

  • Valentine's Day is upon us.

The players

Cindy Adams

The author of the opinion piece published in the New York Post.

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What they’re saying

“Don't send flowers. Please. Before those roses wilt so might your partner.”

— Cindy Adams, Columnist (New York Post)

“If Napoleon was a cheapo, Josephine would've stuck him in exile earlier.”

— Cindy Adams, Columnist (New York Post)

The takeaway

This article provides a refreshing perspective on Valentine's Day, encouraging readers to move beyond the superficial Hollywood depictions of love and instead focus on the daily efforts, kindness, and understanding that are essential for a lasting, meaningful relationship.