Valentine’s Day is rearing its furry, pink, chocolate-filled, jewel-encrusted head again, and guys and gals everywhere are rushing out to stores, searching for the perfect gift. What was once a day to celebrate love has become an annual competition to see who receives glittering jewelry, the biggest bouquets and decadent chocolates.
In short, we’ve drifted away from the true reason for Valentine’s Day: letting someone know you care about them, whether it’s your spouse, friend or even child.
And sometimes the best, most meaningful gifts we can give don’t require a trip to the mall at all, but rather, just thought and a little planning.
For example…
- Bake or pick up your Valentine’s favorite dessert. Remind them that calories don’t count on Valentine’s Day.
- Surprise your Valentine with a full gas tank.
- Purchase a pack of children's Valentine's cards and hide them around the house for your Valentine to find.
- Do as Happier at Home author Gretchen Rubin suggests, and make a special Valentine’s Day breakfast using food coloring. Just be sure to have enough red dye on hand.
- Wake your Valentine up with their favorite morning drink.
- Take your spouse out and reenact your first date.
- Let your Valentine pick the movie—and then enjoy it.
- Think about the little things that make your Valentine happy, and then do them all at once.
And, of course, check out our “Year of Happiness: February—28 Days of Love” for even more ideas.
This Valentine’s Day let’s resolve to show more love and show off less. Let’s focus on giving from the heart. Because when you love and care about someone, there’s no better day to let them know exactly what they mean to you than Valentine’s Day.
