Love it or Loathe it?

Are you a fan of Cupid or have you been silently (or maybe not so silently?) cursing this Hallmark holiday to Hell? Either way, there’s no avoiding the fact that Valentine’s Day is just a mere two days away. Although it’s on the bottom of our list of holidays worth celebrating, we mustered up enough sap to compile a list of fun, non gag-inducing activities this weekend that everyone can enjoy… no matter what your relationship status.

Whether you’ll be going out with your significant other, or heading out with friends for a first class pity party, here are our picks for partaking in the best of what Boston has to offer this weekend. As for us? We’ll be saddling up to a nice big bottle of Veuve Clicquot Rosé ….


Friday Night: February Romance Package at the Ames Hotel
Stay overnight at Boston’s sexiest hotel, the newly opened Ames, and enjoy a $150 dining credit that can be used towards Woodward’s Valentine’s Day three course pre-fixe dinner.

http://www.morganshotelgroup.com/special-offers-ames.aspx

Saturday Night: “Local Love” at Channel Cafe
Enjoy a pre fixe menu focusing on locally grown, sustainable sustenance, perfect for those lovebirds looking to avoid the cliché masses with an alternative Saturday Valentine’s dining experience. For $30, the 4-course menu includes an Organic Vegetable and Local Cheese Pizette and a Narragansett Lager to start, followed by a choice from 3 options for each of the remaining three courses. Highlights include a New England Pork Rillette, served with grilled garlic crostini, roasted apple, red leaf lettuce, and apple cider vinaigrette, Horseradish Crusted Maine Haddock, with pan roasted wild mushrooms and house-made grain mustard beurre blanc, and a Patron Affogato.

http://www.enterpriseproduce.com//
http://www.narragansettbeer.com/home
http://www.channel-cafe.com//

Sunday Night: “Love it or Forget it” at the Savant Project
Head to the Savant Project on Tremont Street to enjoy two amazing options. “Love it”: wine, steak and pasta or “Forget it”: baked macaroni and cheese, chicken and a pint. It’s a fun and creative way to have a Valentine’s Day night out with friends or a significant other.

http://www.thesavantproject.com//

Monday: Hearts for Haiti Fundraiser
Do something special to help other’s this Valentine ’s Day. “Heart’s for Haiti” at River Gods in Cambridge Restaurant in Cambridge is hosting a fundraiser with lots of amazing food, drinks and prizes. Suggested donation $10.

http://www.rivergodsonline.com//

The Twelve Gifts of Christmas

The countdown has begun, and whether you planned ahead this year and purchased all your gifts on Black Friday, or procrastinated (like we did) and are getting your gifts last minute, the thing on everyone's mind right now are gifts: what to give, who to give them to and what to get of course! No need to panic though, as the team at 5s have rounded up our Twelve Gifts of Christmas: A carefully selected list of gifts sure to please everyone in your life. From your boss to your boyfriend, there's something on here for everyone. Happy gifting!

For Your Boss: Stick to something classic and keep it professional. Personal items like candles or other home accents are better left chosen by those who know them best. Our suggestions: Luxury stationary like the ones pictured below from Neiman's,or a beautiful Carafe like this one from Crate & Barrel are safe bets:

1)

2)

For Your Friend: Here's where you can get more personal. You know their taste in clothes, food and decorating, so give a gift that shows you gave it some thought. Best bets: candles and home accessories. We chose Diptyque's Feu de Bois candle and ABC Carpet & Home baskets, perfect for stylishly storing anything from jewelry to makeup:

3)

4)

For Your In-laws: Again, you can give something more personal in this case. If you're spending the holidays at their home, remember they've probably put a lot of effort into making it special. Give a gift that shows you recognize that AND that they can use for next year's gathering! Our picks: A Le Creuset French Oven or these Monogram Coffee Cups from Anthropologie:

5)

6)

For the Man in your Life: Without doubt the most difficult gift to give...until now! What man wouldn't appreciate a classic barbershop shave kit courtesy of the Art of Shaving, or a membership to the Beer of the Month Club, which sends 12 different bottles of beer from around the world directly to your door!?

7)

8)

Beer of the Month (see above).

For the Foodie: They throw the best dinner parties, know all the best restaurants and are constantly convincing you to try new and daring cuisines. Give them a gift that will appeal to their culinary senses like these mason jars from Anthropologie filled with homemade chutney or Thomas Keller's new book Ad Hoc at Home:

9)

10)

For your Pet: Your furry friend deserves a special holiday treat as well, so why not spoil them a bit with Blueblood's insanely-chic pet beds and reversible carriers!

11)

12)