Valentine’s Day Is Not Just for Couples!

Do you love Valentine’s Day--Or not so much?  Sometimes it depends on whether you have a sweetheart to celebrate with!  If you feel like an odd one out this year, changing the way you look at V-Day may help.  Sure, it’s a day for couples to be gushy, but the celebration goes way beyond that. 

Don't feel like playing cupid this year? Check out these ideas.

Consider This

Valentine’s Day has been around for a loooong time, and there’s a good chance that the original story of St. Valentine didn’t symbolize romantic love at all.  Some stories claim St. Valentine was executed on February 14^th around 270 A.D. because he loved his faith so much that he refused to deny his religion.  So, Valentine’s Day history quite possibly honors courage and love of one’s own convictions.  By the Middle Ages, Valentine became one of the most popular saints in England and France.  However, people didn’t link this Christian feast day to romance until the 14^th century, and only during 18^th century England did the exchange of hand-made love notes become widespread.

Valentine's Day didn't focus on sweethearts until centuries after St. Valentine stood up for what he believed in.

Spread a Little Love

Valentine’s Day is meant to celebrate anything and anyone you love and cherish.  Take a second to think about who really matters to you.  Think about who or what you appreciate most.  It might be a boyfriend or girlfriend—but it can also be family members, friends, teachers, coaches, your dog, and don’t forget yourself!  V-Day is arguably the best day to play cupid and sprinkle glittery love around like fairy dust—You won’t believe how much random acts of kindness can lift your spirit.  Don’t be shy about showing your gratitude for those who you adore.  Go even further and be extra accepting of someone who isn’t your favorite person.  The result might surprise you.

Make those you love feel extra special on Valentine's Day--Even your pet!

Breaking It Down

Now that you’re inspired, show how much you care!  A simple heart-felt note will often express how you feel much better than an expensive gift.  The thought really does matter here.  These ideas will help you get started. 

Your Sweetheart

Give your sweetheart a favorite treat. It's always a hit.

1. A card or poem—homemade or store bought--that speaks directly to your heart. 
2. A small gift that you know will light up his or her face.  Does he play an instrument?  Get him some really cool guitar picks or sheet music of a song you both love.  Or if you’re the musician, serenade him or her with that song.  Does she like to decorate?  Get her some twinkling string lights for her room.  If she wears jewelry, get her a shell necklace, or a bracelet that’s exactly her taste.
3. Roses and candy.  There’s a reason these are V-Day favorites—They work!  Give her roses, maybe in her favorite color?  Give him his favorite treat.  Hide it in his locker or bag to surprise him. 

About half of all people give red roses on Valentine's Day. Be different and choose her favorite color!

Your Parents, Grandparents & Brothers/Sisters

Parents will never refuse a homemade coupon book.

1. Same as #1 above: A card or poem.  Explain why you appreciate them and tell them what you love about them.
2. Call or text family in the middle of the day and tell them plainly how much they mean to you.
3. Do something thoughtful without being asked.  It could be as simple as a chore or as large as making them dinner.  For brothers or sisters, do an unexpected favor without expecting something in return—then have fun watching their stunned response!
4. Call or visit a grandparent.  Ask her to tell you a story, and don’t check your phone while you're visiting, not once.  Grandparents love sharing the wisdom of their years and passing it down to younger generations.  Make them feel special by sharing a little of your undivided attention.
5. Favor coupons.  Make paper coupons that they can “redeem” any time.

Sometimes a simple "I love you" text can make a parent's day.

Teachers/Coaches/Other Adults

Spread the love! A simple smile can lift someone's mood.

1. Again, same as #1 above.  Make sure to include how they’ve helped you learn.
2. Bake their favorite cookies and deliver them in person.
3. Fill a mason jar with Hershey kisses, encouraging messages written on folded paper hearts, or anything else they’d enjoy.  Decorate the jar if you want to, and add a ribbon.

Making a treat from scratch shows how much you care.

Friends

A compliment card can brighten someone's day.

1. Give small gifts with witty notes attached.  Give a lip balm and write “You’re the balm” on her card.  Give a scrunchie and wrap it around a note saying, “Valentine's is in the hair!” Or give a tin of mints with the note, “We were mint to be together.”  You get the idea!
2. Make compliment cards for all your friends.  Write a sincere compliment on a piece of card stock for each friend and leave the cards in unexpected places for them to find.
3. Spend some quality time together at a coffee shop or other hangout.  Ask your friend how she's been and really listen to what she has to say.  Then, offer to cover the bill.
4. Give a framed photo of you together.

Hide gifts for your friends to find. Attach a witty note.

Yourself

1. We should be nice to ourselves every day, but especially on V-Day.  Take a few minutes the morning of February 14^th to appreciate your unique characteristics.  Write them down and remember them all day.
2. Candy rocks, but too much of it makes you crash and burn.  Be good to your body with healthy and delicious food that gives you energy.
3. Do something relaxing!  Get a manicure.  Take a bubble bath.  You deserve it.
4. Cut yourself some slack. If you catch yourself thinking about your faults, replace them with your strengths, repeating them in your head until the negativity goes away.

Valentine's Day is also about loving yourself. Focus on your strengths instead of your weaknesses.

Random Acts

Make some kindness clips and pin them around for random people to find.

1. Kindness clips.  This is kind of like a compliment card stuck on a clothespin!  Attach written messages to clips.  Pin the clips to random places for people to find—Maybe pin one to someone’s bag when she's not looking.  You’ll brighten her day. 
2. Pay it forward.  Leave some change at the laundromat.  Smile at strangers.  Go against the grain and go out of your way to help someone struggling at school—Do it for no other reason than to be kind.    
3. Slip some uplifting notes into random books at the library (Tell the librarian first!).

Leave some inspiring notes in random library books.