valentine's day

By: Danielle Kearns     
     Somehow, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.  Don’t ask me how or when, because I honestly feel like the trick-or-treaters were at my door just yesterday.  The turkey and stuffing leftovers are long past gone. I have mourned a thousand deaths after putting all of my Christmas decorations away, and here we are.  My only saving grace after each holiday ends is focusing on the next one. If you read my last post, you would know I don’t consider the “big game” a personal sacrificial holiday, so I am moving onto the next big thing.  
     I get it… it’s a “commercial” holiday that most people would rather skip over or make way too big of a deal over.  I sit comfortably in the middle of these two forms of thought. Do I demand a bouquet of roses before I’m even out of bed in the morning on February 14th?  No, but I’ve never had a V-Day where my honey didn’t get them for me, so I consider myself lucky. Do I need reservations at the fanciest restaurant this side of West Hartford? No, but I like food the other 364 days of the year, so I wouldn’t mind eating some yummy delights, indulging in some extra carbs, and toasting with some bubbly… but again, that’s pretty much me on a year-round basis.  Valentine’s Day can be whatever you and your other half want it to be and make it to be. In my nearly six year relationship with my man, we’ve had all the versions of the holiday you might expect and, for that matter, never expect.
​     Our first Valentine’s Day we shared together, I had the stomach bug. And not just your normal, 24-hour thing. I had this demon from Hell for 10 solid days.  It was not glamorous. It was not fun. There was nothing dreamy about it, but we did spend some romantic nights on the couch catching up on TV and nursing some Gatorade instead of my champagne. We’ve gone for a paint night and painted opposite sides of a common canvas. It was cute, I got drunk, and his came out ten times better than mine… which happens all too often when we do anything artistic.  (Don’t even get me started on how he can decorate a Rice Krispy treat like a work of art. It is insanely frustrated as a natural competitor, individual who works at an art studio, and a prior teacher.) Anyway… back to my point. I’ve had friends who could care less about the “holiday” and would be confused if their partner showed up with a card. No matter your opinion on the day, I’d like to give some suggestions on how you can spend it here at the claypen and some of the options for all the folks out there -- taken, single, or apathetic.   

Here’s what’s happening this month for Valentine’s Day:
  sunday, february 3rd  mommy + me “my little valentine”
  friday, february 8th  kids: craft LOVE party
  saturday, february 9th daddy breakfast date
  sunday, february 10th  kids: best friends painting party
  wednesday, february 13th  mommy + me “my little monster”
  thursday, february 14th  date night (*2 separate sessions)
  friday, february 15th  gal-entine’s day party 
  sunday, february 17th  state love board art
  wednesday, february 20th  kids: yard bird 
  saturday, february 23rd  magic mike adult only night
  thursday, february 28th  “just my type” platter

As always, sign up for any of our classes online to reserve your spot.  We are constantly updating our events on Facebook + Instagram, so follow us out there to keep an eye out for availability.  
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Is your gift for your loved one a surprise?  Items should be painted by Thursday, February 7th for a Valentine’s Day pick-up.  Have your item hidden here until you need it.  Last minute shopping?  Items can be rushed for an additional fee.  Happy Valentine's Day, friends!