Make Your Valentine’s Day a Memorable One

How to Make Valentine’s Day a Memorable One!
There is no definitive origin of Valentine’s Day. As with many of today’s holidays, Valentine’s Day history has its roots in pagan celebrations. February has been the month of “love” dating back to ancient Athens. It’s possible that it was a Roman fertility festival. Another legend assigns the holiday to commemorate St. Valentine, a Roman clergyman. St. Valentine was executed on February 14, about 270 AD, for marrying couples against the mandate of the emperor.

Valentine’s Day is usually marketed towards people who are in relationships but that doesn’t and shouldn’t exclude everyone from celebrating it as a day of caring and love.

So what is your situation? All of us are different. Some are in those romantic early relationships while others are married with young kids. And then there are those who have been married for years with or without children who are grown and have moved on to lives of their own. But there are also many who are single and living on their own.

Regardless of what is your situation, you can make Valentine’s Day a memorable experience. Read on for some tips that will hopefully help you do exactly that!

Being Single on Valentine’s Day Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely

Love yourself first. Yes, Valentine’s Day can make you very much aware that you are single. But don’t let the marketing pitch get you down! Consider trying some of these suggestions.

Don’t give in to the pressure to “find someone” just because “everyone else” seems to be having a wonderful Valentine’s Day. First of all, none of those relationships are perfect, no matter how they seem; and second of all, it’s never a good idea to rush into a relationship just to “keep up with the Joneses.”

Treat yourself, and make it a tradition each year. Regardless of what you do for yourself — getting a manicure, eating out, reading a good book, doing something creative, etc. The point is to make it a Valentine’s tradition so you have something to look forward to. Choose a treat that you can do without during the rest of the year, and then get ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your own special activity.

Remember that there are many others who also are alone and would love to be remembered on this special day of love. How about making the day special for someone in a nursing home, a widow or widower who has suddenly found him or herself all alone after years of being part of a couple? If you have friends who are also single, why not make it a special day for all of you and celebrate your friendship together?

Valentine’s Day and Relationships

Relationships have their ups and downs regardless of whether it is a brand new or a “tried and true” one. The longer that we are in a relationship with someone, we tend to feel that there is nothing new to discover about that person and boredom can begin to set in. But boredom can destroy any relationship. Even the daily repetition of the words “I Love You” can just become words if not accompanied by actions.

You’ve heard the phrase “Actions speak louder than words”. That is particularly true in a relationship.

It’s the simple little things that shout “I Love You” louder than words.

Ron and I recently celebrated our 62nd wedding anniversary and here are some ideas that I’ve picked up along the way to keep that spark burning brightly. And they are not just for Valentine’s Day either. Scan through the list and pick some ideas that you can use to say “I Love You” throughout the year.

1. You thank your customers for their business. Don’t forget to occasionally send your loved one a thank you note or gift.
2. Surprise him or her with a favorite book, chocolates, tea or whatever they enjoy but don’t always buy for themselves.
3. Surprise him at the door with a trail of chocolate kisses leading to love notes or a special surprise.
4. If your partner is feeling stressed, plan something fun or carefree. Rent a convertible and take a drive to a special place for a picnic. Haven’t been skating in years? Why not try it together again. Ride a carousel together.
5. For the frequent traveler, put little love notes in the suitcase along with something small but special to make him/her smile. You can do the same with their lunchbox or briefcase.
6. If she’s had a stressful day, greet her with a hot bubble bath combined with her favorite music and drink. Then close the bathroom door, keep the kids quiet and allow her to just relax. I promise that you’ll feel more appreciated as well.
7. Arrange a romantic evening at home. A favorite meal, either prepared in advance or brought home from your favorite restaurant or deli, candlelight, quiet music, and a bouquet of balloons. Why balloons? They are very special balloons. You’ve inserted a note in each balloon, before inflating them, saying things like “back massage”, “a long kiss”, or whatever you like. Whenever he/she breaks one, they get whatever is in the balloon.
8. Leave a note on his/her car.
9. If they listen to a favorite radio station at work or during drive time, call and see if you can dedicate a special song to be played to them during that time.
10. Give him or her a teddy bear. Teddy bears make great snuggle partners when you’re not there. Send them a Teddy Bear Hugs gift
11. Tell him that he is your hero with a “Not all Heroes Wear Capes” gift box.
12. Send him or her a gift-wrapped “Kama Sutra” or “Naughty but Nice” gift at work along with a note that it is not to be opened until you are alone with each other that evening. Make sure that it is gift wrapped or in a gift bag. You don’t want to embarrass them at work.
13. Take a moonlight drive on an evening with a full moon ending up at a secluded place for a late picnic.
14. Just reach over and touch him on her for no special reason. Touch is one of the most romantic feelings.
15. Give him or her an unexpected big bear hug for no particular reason.
16. Greet her or her at the door with a welcome home kiss and hug.
17. Send them a cake or a giant cookie with “I Love You” written on it.
18. Put a sticky note on their calendar (or mirror) that says “I Love You”. Then put another one on the following day that says “Even More than yesterday.”
19. Send them a box of gift-wrapped cookies with a note that asks, “Will you be my Valentine?” This doesn’t have to be just on Valentine’s Day. Any other day will be just as special.
20. Respond to affection extended to you. Hug him/her back. Return that kiss, smile, or special look.
21. Hold hands when you are out together. A gentle touch is something every human needs.
22. Take care of something that he or she hates to do — fold the laundry, vacuum the floors, clean the refrigerator, or make that phone call they’ve been putting off.
23. Take time to actually listen to what he or she is saying. Close the phone or computer. Put down the newspaper. Turn off the TV. They are more important than any of these. Now add your ideas and enjoy a romantic long-lasting relationship. And always remember to Live each and every day as if it were your last.

For some more ideas, read “How to Make Love Last.”

Kids Love Valentine’s Day

Holidays are the perfect opportunities to let your kids know how much you love them. While you may already be thinking about ways to spoil your partner, don’t forget the little ones! This is also a great chance to demonstrate how far small acts of appreciation can go. Here are some ways to show your children love on Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day crafts are always a great way to celebrate with kids, from homemade cards to homemade sweet treats. Check online for some creative craft ideas.

Small children may like Valentine’s Day games, like searching for hidden paper or candy hearts (like an Easter egg hunt).

Find a Valentine’s Day treat you can enjoy making (and eating!) with your kids. You can buy heart-shaped cookie cutters just about anywhere. Dig out your favorite sugar cookie recipe and make Valentine cookies with pink frosting and sugar sprinkles. You can also use that same cookie cutter on your sandwiches. Boring peanut butter and jelly becomes an extra-special lunch when it’s shaped like a heart.

Make a Valentine’s Love Jar. Cut out 14 hearts (28 if you have two children, etc) and write on each heart a reason why you love them. Put them all in one jar or create a jar for each child. Beginning on February 1st, let them draw one heart and read it each day at a special time each day.

Have a “Valentine tea party” set up to enjoy with them after school on Valentine’s Day. This could become an annual event that they will look forward to each year.

Put a heart-shaped box of chocolates on their plate at dinner and then snuggle up for a family movie night. Curl up on the couch and put on a classic cartoon love story. Or read a bedtime story about love.

This is the ideal time to teach them how to share love. Do something nice for someone else as a family. Bake cookies for a neighbor (heart-shaped, of course!), offer to do yard work for a friend (spring will be here before you know it!) or call up a local children’s hospital, senior center or fire station and ask if you can drop off Valentine cookies or candies.

Creative Gifts To Give on Valentine’s Day

A card and a kiss are nice, but whether you have $10 or $1000 to spend, it’s still important to give those Valentine Day gifts some thought. It’s easy to create a more interesting gift than roses and chocolates. Valentine gifts, created from the heart, will be remembered years from now.

Be thoughtful. It’s not about the money you spend. Ask yourself what this gift will mean to him or her. How about something as simple as a small box of chocolates with a lovely heart pin or ring (and they don’t have to be expensive) replacing a piece or two in the box.

Shop in advance. Running to the mall that morning will not make him or her feel nearly as appreciated as when you surprise him/her the first thing in the morning with a wrapped gift that has been hidden away or that you’ve arranged to have delivered to the office. By planning ahead, you’re showing them that they’re not just a part of your last minute list of things to do. The timing is often more important than the gift itself.

Romantic gifts come in several types:
the Personal
the Traditional
the Silly
and Things to do

While the traditional is easy to arrange, the personal, the silly, and things to do have much more effect precisely because they take more effort to prepare. Here are a few creative Valentine Day gift suggestions to get you started.

A few well-chosen flowers can make just as important a statement as a dozen roses. It is all in the presentation. Select as many flowers as you need for a colorful variety. Iris, lilies, daisies, roses, or choose the recipients favorite flower. Place each flower in a bud vase or a crystal water glass. Make a gift tag for each flower. Write on each tag a love token that can be redeemed for something he or she would enjoy — a movie of their choice, sleeping in on Saturday morning, a back rub, breakfast in bed are some examples. You could even add a special verse or poem to several of the tags. Punch a hole in the tag and run ribbon through it. Then tie one tag on each flower. Arrange them in various parts of the house that he or she might go. And remember men like flowers too.

Most guys don’t like romantic movies but they can be fun to watch together. For a special gift, fill a small basket with a couple of old favorite “tug at the heart” movies that you would enjoy seeing together. Add movie candies, Cracker Jacks, popcorn, your favorite beverages and a box of chocolates.

Everyone loves the surprise of opening a fortune cookie but for a surprise that will really be remembered, create a custom one. It’s easy. Heat a fortune cookie in the microwave for 30 seconds. It will become soft. Open up the cookie and add your own fortune or a small pair of earrings, or a ring. Reclose the cookie. It will harden.

Record a favorite song that both of you love. Place the CD ready to play in the CD player of the car. Tape a note to the steering wheel instructing the driver to play the CD on the way to work. Place a box, filled with chocolates, concert or movie tickets and reservations for dinner at your favorite restaurant, on the passenger’s seat.

Pick up a planner or small calendar and record some date nights that you can share together and even a trip or two in it. Don’t forget to add your own special notes.

But whatever you, do, don’t listen to all the commercials about having to buy roses, chocolates, or diamonds. Remember that a gift created from the heart will be remembered for years to come.

Love Everyone On Valentines Day

If none of these Valentine’s Day ideas appeal to you, go out and show your love to the world by doing something to help the homeless, sustain the planet or just perform one act of kindness to a stranger or neighbor. These are just a few ideas to help you get started making this Valentine’s Day the most fun yet!

A day that celebrates love should be special, not stressful. We think these are some fool proof ways to make this Valentine’s Day a special one. These ideas really never get old or go out of style, so repeat them year after year in different ways to always show your significant other your love for them. In fact, we think they’d work the same not only on Valentine’s Day, but any day of the year!

Joyce Reid is an entrepreneur who has been a newspaper publisher, a Realtor, and for the past 30 years a nationwide gift service located at https://www.shopcreativegifts.com. She also operates an information website for the gift industry at https://www.giftbasketnetwork.com. In her spare time, she spends time with the man beneath her wings for the past 60 years and Grayson, a poodle-terrier mix born with only three paws but runs like the wind.