Add a Spark to the Day of Adoration
In the US at least, we have come to call February 14th, “Valentine’s Day:” A 24-hour span during which we reach out to the ones that we love and express our feelings for them.
Call it a celebration of special bonds and relationships. And a time to truly recognize our nearest and dearest and convey devotion and genuine appreciation.
Certainly, we can communicate gratitude and commitment in all sorts of ways, displaying how much a person means to us and how much we genuinely care, especially for our one-and-onlies–our spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, or lovers.
A Side Note of Interest
(Tangentially, as for why we equate St. Valentine with love seems to remain a bit of a mystery. However, if you’re curious enough to research this matter, you may unearth a host of, at times, convoluted stories about how an American holiday has evolved from origins not necessarily American. I’ll let someone else try to weed through where and how that association originated. Much luck to that sleuth…)
And so, on February 14th we recognize that Love is in the Air
Of course, the heart and mind are where love lives. Expressions of affection and appreciation are manifested when we reach from within to demonstrate outwardly how much we cherish those dear to us.
With Valentine’s Day approaching, then, why not step away from the cliché–the conventional hallmark card, teddy bear, or bouquet–to dream up a more creative demonstration of appreciation: one that’s positively alluring, flirtatious, or just plain fun. Add a spark to the day of adoration.
In order to help stir your own creative juices, I tapped into my imagination to offer up 14 unique Valentine’s Day gift ideas. Below are some of the oodles of ways you can sprinkle some spice onto your proclamations of love on February 14th:
Creative Ways to Express Appreciation on Valentine’s Day
So go for it! Turn the ‘V ‘in Valentine into VAVAVOOM! Get creative to knock your Valentine’s socks off–figuratively or literally. Express appreciation (and be appreciated by) your precious one all the more.
- Fill a baby bottle with WINE. Tie a string around the neck with a card attached reading, “Wanna share a bottle?”
- Grab a throw blanket (heated, for those of us in the frosty parts of the country!) with a card or label stating, “You’re the ONLY ONE I want to snuggle with.”
- Stand outside the window with a boom box ala John Cusack in the movie Say Anything, blasting “In your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel or another romantic song your darling digs.
- Serve heart-shaped eggs and toast or pancakes for breakfast using a heart-shaped cookie cutter.
- Scatter favorite photos interspersed with rose petals, heart-shaped candies, or chocolate kisses throughout your home. (Ok, ditch the candy element if you have children who might get to them first.)
- Set a jack-in-the-box on the bed, kitchen table, or coffee table that pops out holding a note that reads, “Surprise! I love you!”
- Burn a CD of 14 songs your Valentine (or you two together) loves: romantic songs and even tunes you two rock to.
- Gift a ‘coupon book: For him/her to exchange vouchers for back rubs, date nights, taking out the garbage, walking the dog, etc.
- Create your own card or email chronicling the “14 things I love about you.” (An alternative or extension would be to email or post a photo with text overlay listing the 14 things you love about your Valentine.)
- Take a watch or clock (or buy a cute, colorful one made for children–it doesn’t need to be real or costly) with a note or label attached: “Let’s spend more time together” or “Let’s spend time together tonight.”
- Create a video telling him/ her in your own words how much you care. Depending on the whether or not you include very intimate tidbits, consider going public by posting the video on social media.
- Plan a scavenger hunt for the day: By devising clever clues, your darling will search for gifts connected with the history or characteristics of your relationship (like in the movie Gone Girl but without the crime and crazy).
- Buy suuuuper soft socks: Such as ‘butter socks’ (those insanely comfy ones they’ve been selling for the past couple of years. You can get them very inexpensively at department stores, Dollar Stores, 5 Below, Harmon, and some supermarkets). Next, bury a small note inside saying, “You warm my heart.”
- Personalize any gift with a P-touch Label Maker: A variety of fonts and colors give ordinary labels an extra POP. Toward that end, try customizing a plain card by labeling it with sweet nothings or spelling out lyrics to a meaningful song. Or Flag’ a sweet treat or beverage with a label of love using a toothpick with the tag adhered to the top. (Find more ways you can demonstrate appreciation with personalization in Identity Magazine’s P-touch Reviews4You.)
- Send him a Gourmet Popcorn Tin:Because of people still love popcorn tins, especially if he is a popcorn lover, this is an easy thoughtful gift. You can choose from three flavors: Caramel, Butter or Cheesy Cheddar.
You can also choose to mix the flavors for multi-flavored deliciousness. This is a great last minute and thoughtful gift that he will love!
For those who do not currently have a Valentine in their lives:
Regardless of your relationship status, always remember that appreciation begins with self-love. So, if you’re flying solo on February 14th, go ahead and pamper yourself with a creative gift because YOU deserve adoration too!
Identity Magazine is all about guiding women to discover their powers of Self-Acceptance, Appreciation, and Personal Achievement. We ask that every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the current article they have written. In that way, and as a team, we hope to encourage and motivate each other, thus inspiring you to Get All A’s.
1. What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? Additionally, what are you still working on accepting? Now, we’re talking about resignation, rather stepping into, embraced, and owned.
I accept that throughout the course of my life, relationships (or the status thereof) change. Nevertheless, I must admit that if I don’t have a true ‘Valentine,’ particularly on Feb. 14th when others are celebrating, I struggle a little with the feeling of being left out or lonely.
2. What have you learned to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? On the other hand OR in contrast, are there elements of who you are that you’re still working on appreciating?
I appreciate my authentic self and work on cultivating self-love every day.
3. What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? Tell us not only what makes YOU most proud but also share the goals and dreams that you still have.
I’m proud to have accomplished what I have thus far, and if I haven’t yet achieved what I desire, I get up each day to try and try again.
4. Of course, we all have imperfections, or so we think. In truth, we are all perfectly imperfect. What are your not-so-perfect ways? Likewise, what imperfections and quirks create who you are–your Identity?
My not-so-perfect ways include certain negative thoughts about some–although not necessarily all–of my imperfections. Ohhh, I have many quirks and perhaps idiosyncratic ways that are part-and-parcel of ‘me.’
5. “I Love My…” is an outlet for you to appreciate and express all the positive traits that make you…well…YOU! In fact, sharing what you love about yourself will make you smile, feel empowered, and uplift your spirit and soul. (We assure you!) Therefore, Identity challenges you to complete the phrase “I Love My…?”
I love my capacity to love and be open to love from others.
