February fourteenth is on the horizon, so you’re supposed to just grab some flowers, chocolates or jewelry for your lady, right? Well, not exactly. Women don’t want a token gift for Valentine’s Day. They want thoughtfulness and intentional effort – and a little creativity wouldn’t hurt. For a bit of direction, here are a few of our recommendations for a romantic evening in Austin.

Drinks at Hotel San Jose
A favorite hotel among visiting celebrities and musicians for its accommodations, locals can enjoy drinks in the courtyard. Expect a calm, dimly lit, romantic atmosphere, quiet enough to hear each other talk. They don’t serve liquor, but their drink selection of wine, local brews and unique creations doesn’t disappoint.

Don’t forget to: pay her a genuine compliment when you pick her up. It’s a gift that doesn’t cost you anything, yet affirms who she is and acknowledges something unique about her.

Dinner at La Traviata
Positioned in the heart of downtown Austin, this quaint Italian restaurant’s stone walls and lighting make it a date spot that she’ll remember. Because of the small size and limited seating, you’ll want to make reservations. The best part about it: you don’t have to sacrifice high quality food for the ambiance. Here you get both. Make sure to try the homemade ravioli.

Don’t forget to: give her your undivided attention, so turn off your cell phone and put it away. You can survive one night without email, social media and text messages (if you can’t, then read this).

Conversation at Mozart’s Coffee
With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, this West Austin coffee shop roasts their own beans and offers an array of coffee, espresso drinks and desserts (including gelato). With a location on the banks of the Colorado River and lights strung in the trees, the outside deck is an ideal spot for late-night conversation.

Don’t forget to: ask thoughtful questions that are specific to her life and interests. Vague questions are boring and reflect the same about you. Whether it’s a first date or you’ve been married for years, you can’t go wrong learning more about her passions.

The New Year undoubtedly comes with a renewed commitment to lose weight, get in shape and eat healthier. But you don’t need to jump on the fad diet bandwagon. In fact, you can eat better and support area farmers and small business owners by shopping at a local farmer’s market.

Luckily for Austinites, our city has a thriving farmer’s market coordinated by the Sustainable Food Center boasting three locations: Saturdays’ Downtown and Sunset Valley sites, along with Wednesdays’ Triangle spot. With the number of vendors that sell their goods, Austin’s farmer’s market is the largest certified growers-only market in the state of Texas.

The benefit most people already recognize is the freshest fruits and vegetables available. Lettuce, broccoli and kale (just to name a few) come straight from the farm and into your hands. There’s no long haul on a barge, train or 18-wheeler truck, so you get the freshest, most nutrient-rich produce available.

In addition, SFC’s famer’s market features locally raised beef, chicken and other assorted meats. There are also local cheeses, jams and honey. And the best thing about buying these fresh, local items at the farmer’s market is that you can talk to the farmer in person. You can ask questions about their growing methods (Hormone-free? Free-range? Pesticides?), and get the personal recommendations of the person who knows the most about the fruit, vegetable or meat. This market provides a direct link between you and the farmer, and it benefits both: you’re putting better food in your body and you also get the satisfaction that your purchase is helping a farmer stay in business and protect their land from being developed.

So grab a few friends, bring your appetite (many local food trailers setup shop at the market), and go meet the farmers who are helping keep Austin healthy in 2012. For more information on times and locations, check out the Sustainable Food Center’s website.

Want to spend the last night of 2011 in Austin with friends out on the town, but don’t want to be trapped by the $100 prix fixe menu some restaurants offer for New Year’s Eve? Then grab your friends and eat, drink and be merry at these local establishments before testing out your Auld Lang Syne skills at midnight.

EAT
24 Diner: Feast on some chef-inspired comfort food at this North Lamar eatery. Chef Andrew Cullen is fresh off his Iron Chef appearance and offers some updated versions of classic diner dishes. The best part is: it’s open 24 hours, so it doesn’t matter when during your celebratory evening you want to stop in to eat. 600 North Lamar Boulevard.

La Condesa: Rivaling Uchi for the title of Austin’s Best Restaurant, La Condesa’s fresh take on traditional Mexican food is mouth-watering. Make sure to try the freshly-made guacamole, Mexican streetcorn, and, of course, the margarita on the rocks, made with fresh lime juice and agave nectar. You may need a reservation, so call ahead to ensure seating. 400 West 2nd Street.

DRINK
Eastside Showroom: With a unique, pre-war Eastern European vibe, along with classic cocktails, this East Sixth Street bar promises to have their normal drink offerings and some bubbly for a midnight toast. This bar is best for those wanting a slower, quieter pace for the evening. 1100 E 6th Street.

2nd Bar + Kitchen: Part of the Congress Austin trio, 2nd will probably be hopping with lots of people due to its prime location at the corner of Congress Avenue and Second Street. For those that enjoy a good crowd, this place has some of Austin’s best cocktails. You can also walk next door to the adjoined Bar Congress, as well. 200 Congress Ave.

Clive Bar: This staple of the Rainey Street District has great outdoor seating (with heaters) and serves up high-quality cocktails and local brews. The location is also a plus for those looking to avoid the crowded Sixth Street and Second Street Districts. 609 Davis Street.

BE MERRY
Austin’s New Year: Enjoy art, films and live music at Auditorium Shores before the city shoots off a massive fireworks display over the water. You’ll need to find parking somewhere else and make the walk, as there won’t be any public parking available. The best part? It’s 100% free. 5:00-10:30 p.m. Auditorium Shores (South 1st Street and Riverside Drive).

The holiday season is full of romance. Lights, evergreen, traditions – the sights and sounds set the atmosphere to warm hearts as the temperature drops. Before Christmas passes you by, consider giving her a night out steeped it history and beauty. Several of Nashville’s antebellum homes are traditionally decked out for the holiday and have opened their doors for a date she’ll remember. Here are a few mansions worth visiting:

The Hermitage
Being the home of our seventh president, Andrew Jackson, the Hermitage’s Southern charm is in full swing during the Christmas season. On December 20, the home will remain open late for after-hours tours to allow guests to see the plantation as it might have been for any Christmas celebrated by the General himself.

The Sam Davis Home
The home of one of Middle Tennessee’s biggest Civil War heroes, young Sam Davis, can be best described as “quaint” during the month of December. The main house surrounded by cedar trees is a quiet setting to see the decorations on the grounds. The tours are also offered by guides dressed to match the historical period.

Travellers Rest
On December 16, Travellers Rest, the oldest historic home in Nashville, will be hosting a candlelight tour to celebrate the holiday. The day begins at 4:00 p.m. with a walk to honor the men who died in the Civil War with re-enactors of the war. As the sun goes down, the candlelight tours will begin at the home, showcasing how Christmas would have been celebrated in the early 19th century.

Cheekwood
Although not completed until 1932, the mansion built by the Cheek family is not lost amongst the historical homes in Nashville. Constructed by the entrepreneurial family that brought the world Maxwell House Coffee, Cheekwood offers some the most unique holiday activities. Besides the house being handsomely decorated, the trees on the ground are also meticulously trimmed. Holiday concerts will be held on December 17 and 18, as well as Christmas cookies served every Saturday.

Smith-Trahern Mansion
The Clarksville mansion will be celebrating the holiday this year by highlighting Christmas celebrations around the world. The house will be decorated differently throughout to show how other nations mark the season. While most historic homes in Middle Tennessee will be hosting Victorian Christmases, this will give folks a different experience.

Even for the most romantically challenged, it’s not too difficult to put together a memorable date this time of year. Lights, music, fireplaces, evergreen, traditional food and drink – the sights, sounds and tastes of the Christmas season set the atmosphere, you just have to seize the moment. Here are a few ideas to point you in the right direction:

Merry Y’all-Tide Celebration
December 2 at Variety Playhouse
Listen to the bluegrass of The Whiskey Gentry featuring “We Three Keanes” with Packway Handle Band and Shovels and Rope. Bring 3 cans of food to benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Handel’s Messiah
December 3 at Woodruff Arts Center Symphony Hall
Hear the Christmas portion and “Hallelujah” Chorus performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

A Christmas Carol
Thru December 24 at Alliance Theater
An Atlanta tradition, Dickens’ classic tale of redemption is acted out on stage with the addition of holiday carols.

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
Thru December 24 at The Old Barn Christmas Tree Farm
Get outdoors and bring back the freshest tree possible.

The Nutcracker
December 8-24 at The Fox Theater
Toys come alive to Tchaikovsky’s famous score performed by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and the Atlanta Ballet.

The Holiday Jazz Vespers
December 10 at Rialto Center for the Arts
Featuring the Atlanta Jazz Chorus, the evening features some of Atlanta’s best jazz musicians as they interpret traditional songs of the season with swing.

Learn to cook an Old English Christmas dinner
Sunday, December 11 at the Viking Cooking School
Take her to a hands-on cooking class to learn how to prepare a Victorian yuletide dinner of roasted prime rib with thyme jus, Yorkshire pudding, horseradish mashed potatoes, Brussel sprouts with chestnuts and sticky toffee pudding.

Ice Skating and 12 Days of Christmas Cocktails
Thru January 3 at The St. Regis
Visit the Astor holiday ice skating rink and partake in one of the hotel’s special holiday drinks like their Bourbon Celebration Cider.

ATL Collective Performs Burl Ives Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
Wednesday December 14 at Eddie’s Attic
Replicating the experience of listening to a record track by track, local musicians combine their talents to cover the classic holiday album.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
Thru January 7 at Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Walk through the urban oasis of gardens and woods featuring 1 million lights, hear live carolers and roast s’mores.

Photo by Just Plain Dan.