5 Last-Minute Valentine’s Day “Gifts”

Not celebrating Valentine’s Day this year? Not sure what your partner wants from this day because you said “we’re not celebrating” but still feel compelled?

Here are some ‘still make it special’ suggestions for people in your shoes!

The best part about this day (should you happen to have the time set aside to celebrate /acknowledge it /etc.!) is that it gives us the chance (if we let it!) to focus for a minute… Little things, simplicity: 

A big romantic gesture is rarely first & foremost (or even at all) an expensive one — it’s the thought behind it that makes it grand

Think, for your loved ones sakes, what & how do they love?
A holiday that celebrates romantic love is a nice opportunity to think & act selflessly. I’m not a proponent of the day being too heavily weighted – as isn’t it Every day, that we should try to do our best at giving and receiving love? However when we think about the things that really matter: people, people who love us and whom we love, it IS nice to have a day that reminds us we should keep that alive (& appreciated). 

Without further ado, 5 things we might love to give & get out of this ‘time-out’ to acknowledge love, happiness, and the little things…

1) Puppies
HAHA;)
It’s no secret I have an obsession with dogs.

Man’s best friend. Unconditional love. Fun-seeking spirits!

If you already have a dog (cat, bunny, monkey-baby??) ENJOY their company together!
If not, perhaps in the spirit of Love, and Giving, you take a trip to your local animal shelter and see if you can’t help sponsor or volunteer.
There’s ALSO a new service of which I’ve only recently been made aware: It’s called Bark’N’Borrow and it connects local dog-owners and dog-lovers (borrowers!) for walks, playdates, or weekends. What! Haha, so fun. 

2) A Cozy ‘Day In’ + relaxation (before or after an outdoor adventure!)
If you’re like me and living in the North East, you’ve surely heard about this weekend’s WIND CHILL. It may or may not have you canceling your outdoor plans, but either way, a nice cup of hot cocoa or tea & a sweet neck or foot massage may be something so “Netflix & chill” simple, but now made special thanks to a few extra ounces of TLC.

3) Makers
Does your person like to get artsy, or crafty?! Creating together is a beautiful thing! If that sweetie of yours has 100+ cupcake decorating activities saved on Pinterest, it’s a good sign you’ll make them happy suggesting a whimsical task like this — it’s fun to try your hand at making something new (& pass or fail, you’ll have either a lot of laughs or a new side business endeavor?! win-win)

4) FOOD is love!
Perhaps you’re so on top of your cooking game that this list is irrelevant to you (& you’ve already planned the perfect 7 course meal for your lovie dove!), but for those of us still honing our skills in the kitchen, try taking on a bite-sized project together and create something you can then turn around and enjoy.
Teamwork!
(NOTE: this is a great exercise in love & learning about your partner… if things get heated – and not in the oven, flame or microwave sense of the word – just remember that peace & love are more important than “doing it right”, and also that you’re not alone. Haha, I’m proud to say that my boyfriend and I have learned to no longer tell each other how to stir, wash dishes, cut grilled cheese sandwiches)

And lastly, and most generally, in case none of these bullets have been any use:

5) A Gift of Love: Kind words, a sentimental gesture, a special object, your time, or a hug — yes, I stole those from a famous piece of reading/philosophy by author Gary Chapman that I found at the suggestion of a friend a few years back.
It talks about how we each experience “love“. The message is that we all do so individually, & the key is not to use the “love language” you love, but that which speaks to the person receiving it. Novel, not so novel really, but another good reminder:)

SO GO FORTH, SHARE LOVE, and if you like puppies and your people as much as I do, consider booking a lifestyle family, portrait, or couples session that celebrates just this – appreciating the things that make life AMAZING!