It is so even more important to let the ones that we love know how much we love them.
These last several years have been a stressful time, to say the least. What better time to focus on love? I have always found that holidays, birthdays, and celebrations are opportunities to celebrate life and the people we love. Even today, we can get so caught up in the things that really don't matter.
For me, making time for people is one of my biggest goals. Whenever I get caught up in my "To Do" list I try and take a breath, and make an effort to make time in my schedule for friends and family. Because we are in the time of Covid, we may not be able to physically see all the people that we love, but we can FaceTime or call them.
We can send them a card or letter, text them....just reach out in some way. Sometimes I find the people who are the closest to us are the people we take for granted. I like to find creative ways to remind them how much I care.
Before we get started, I would like to talk about a book that I read years ago, but has helped me so much to relate to my spouse, kids, and everyone else. You have probably heard of it. The name of the book is The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. I highly recommend this book. Why am I mentioning it now? Because in the book you find out five different ways people feel love. The five love languages are ....Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Touch, Quality Time, and Gifts.
You probably feel love in ways different than your spouse or your children. We tend to show love in our "love language" because that is what is natural for us. For example, my love language is Acts of Service. So in my mind, if my husband really loves me, he will help me out around the house. And the most natural way for me to show him love is to do something for him. So I might cook him a fancy meal. While he may love that, his love language is Words of Affirmation. So he would rather me tell him how much I love him, which is much easier, by the way, than cooking a gourmet meal! But for some reason, it does not feel as natural to me.
So what is the point? Find out the love languages of the people that you love. In this way, you can show them love in ways that will mean the most to them.
Purchase this book online or at many bookstores.
Don't want to buy the book? Google the 5 love language to get a brief summary.
Or just pick one of the ideas below.â€ïž
20+ Best Ideas For V-Day
First, buy the book The Five Love Languages and find out what are their love languages. Or read a brief summary and ask them what love language/s most relates to them.
Or you can just look at some of the items below and pick one or two that you think will be meaningful to your spouse, sweetheart, or children.
Now you can start planning creative ways to show your love!
I am dividing the ideas between the five individual love languages to make it easier. They are not in the order of the book. Also, many of the ideas overlap more than one love language, and most people have more than one love language. So read through all the ideas to decide which ones are most suitable or work best for you.
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*Note: If you are having bad weather, you may need to postpone some of the activities. But remember, it doesn't have to be Valentine's Day to show your love! Also, many of the ideas can be done at your home with few materials. So keep warm, and have a happy V-day with those you love! â€ïž
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Words of Affirmation
1. Surprise your kids or sweetheart by writing all the ways that you love them and admire them on big cut-out hearts. Place them on their door or bathroom mirror. Last year I put a ribbon on each child's door and used clothespins to clip the hearts to the ribbon.
As you can see, my hearts are not fancy. It did not take long to make them. I just bought and cut out some hearts, and then used a marker. You certainly can be more creative if you desire. The important thing is that your words are heartfelt.
2. Write a love letter. This is a lost art. In this age of texting, emails, and social media we rarely send a letter. I have boxes of letters from the people that I love. "Love letters" are not just for your spouse or sweetheart. For example, my dad wrote me a letter every week when I moved away for college. These letters meant so much to me, and my love language is not Words of Affirmation! Now that he is gone, they mean even more. He included some mundane things that were happening in his everyday life. Now those details mean so much because they help me remember the past.
If your special someone's love language is Words of Affirmation, write it down! Write down your feelings. They will treasure those letters, and always have a reminder of your love.
If you are not comfortable composing a letter, buy a card. Find a card that expresses your feelings, but be sure to add some of your own words besides just your signature. Reiterate what the card said. Underline the words in the card that you want to emphasize. Make sure you end the card with words that clearly state how much you love your spouse/child. đ
3. Make or buy a pretty Valentine's Box. Inside the box put little strips of paper describing why you love them. You could also include scripture that describes some of the wonderful qualities of your sweetheart. See number 4 for some examples.
I gave this box to Carey on our first or second anniversary. đ Words of Affirmation are how he feels loved. He has kept this box for over 22 years.
4. The week before Valentine's Day, or several days before, plan to leave a note in their car, or somewhere else where they will find it. Include a small gift as well, like chocolate.
Leave a note for several days in a row, to make it even more special. Your sweetheart or even your child will have fun anticipating your next note. Make them encouraging and specific about the person that you love. You can even write notes that include scripture. See below for examples. The notes can be short and simple, such as...
I love your blue eyes.
You are a man of honor. I am so proud to be your wife.
You work so hard every day to make sure we have everything we need.
You are such a good and loyal friend.
You are the best cook, and I always look forward to seeing what new things you will make.
You are a wonderful mother. Our children are blessed.
You are so beautiful on the outside, but more beautiful on the inside.
How blessed am I to be married to you for the rest of my life!
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22
A kind man benefits himself. Proverbs 11:17. You are such a kind man.
You are a wise man. A wise man listens to advise. Proverbs 12:15
5. Tell your spouse how much you love him by writing a few reasons with lipstick on the bathroom mirror.â€ïž Generally appreciated by husbands.
6. This is kind of elaborate, but really special. These could be Words of Affirmation and Acts of Service. When Carey and I were celebrating our first anniversary, and I was 6 months pregnant....we went to Eureka Springs to celebrate. He had bought a puzzle-making kit and made me a puzzle. Every day on the trip, he would give me an envelope with several puzzle pieces. After a week, I had the completed puzzle. It was in the shape of a heart. The words were very sweet and precious. Although we had only been married a year, a lot of difficult circumstances had happened. The large company I worked for had gone under, my mom was diagnosed with cancer, and I got pregnant much sooner than expected. The words Carey wrote on the puzzle summarized our year, and also expressed his love and devotion to me. I treasure it to this day. đ Get creative. It doesn't have to be expensive, and it doesn't have to be a puzzle! One year he made me a bracelet with charms that represented milestones in our life.
Acts of Service
*I have a lot of ideas in this category. Can you tell this is my love language?!!
Carey will be proofreading!! đ
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7. Make a romantic breakfast
Heart Pancakes for Breakfast!
Use red food coloring to tint your pancake mix. Use metal heart pancake molds or cookie-cutter molds to make the heart-shaped pancakes.
Heat the stove to medium-low. Be sure to spray the inside of the molds with cooking spray. Put the molds on first for a couple of minutes before you pour in the batter.
Once the batter looks set, lift and remove the mold and carefully flip the pancake over to lightly brown the other side of the pancake. I usually mess up on the first one, so practice with one first, and be prepared to throw it away!
I added cherry juice for flavor, and some sugar and cinnamon. Sugar burns easily, so my pancakes were a little brown...but they still tasted good!
*Think about serving breakfast in bed!!
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Heart Egg-In-A-Hole for Breakfast!
For a savory Valentine's breakfast!â€ïžđ
This is a pretty breakfast, and it's not too sweet. For the recipe, click here.
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8. Make a romantic meal.
For your family or a crowd, make My Mother's Famous Spaghetti and Meatballs.
Yes, spaghetti can be romantic...it is Italian after all!!
For the best Spaghetti and Meatballs you ever tasted- make this recipe. The meatballs are cooked in homemade spaghetti sauce all day....well you just can't beat it! For the recipe, click here.
For your family or just your sweetheart, make Bacon-Wrapped Filets with
Melting Potatoes
This picture shows enough food for a family. I ordered a beef tenderloin from the butcher and had him cut 7-8 filets. If you want to have a romantic meal for two, buy two beef filet mignons and follow the recipe below.
Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon is a very special meal to serve on Valentine's Day.
The Pioneer Woman has a good recipe for individual steaks. If you are feeding a crowd, buy a beef tenderloin and have the butcher cut up 7-8 filets. For the recipe, click here.
I love these Melting Potatoes! They go perfectly with the Fillet Mignon. For the recipe, click here.
Have a wonderful romantic dinner with your sweetheart or a special dinner with your family. Add a side dish like sautéed mushrooms, green beans, and/or a salad. Be sure to add some romantic touches like candles. Also, include a V-day dessert from below!
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9. Make a romantic dessert for your kids, sweetheart, co-worker, neighbors.....whoever!
Chocolate Valentine Truffles
These truffles are made with two basic ingredients, chocolate and cream. Easy and fun with sprinkles. For the recipe, click here.
Yummy Valentine Chocolate Storm Cupcakes
The Frosting is what really makes these cupcakes divine. The cupcakes are from a box mix. The frosting is made from cream cheese, powdered and granulated sugar, Cool Whip, and cut-up chocolate bars, as well as lots of Valentine's sprinkles. Yum! For the recipe, click here.
Conversational Heart Cake
This is a beautiful cake that you can make with a 9 x 9 square pan, and a 9 x 9 round cake pan. I got the recipe from The Food Network, and admittedly this was more difficult than I thought. I had never made or used fondant before. If you leave off the fondant top, the recipe is so much easier. And most people don't like the taste of fondant anyway, but it is very pretty when done right. Advise, if you have never used fondant before, leave it off. đ
When you click on the recipe below, you will see their cake is so much prettier and more professional. However, I thought it turned out pretty, and my family did appreciate it! I added candy hearts to try and hide my mistakes! It tasted really good....well some family members did not eat the fondant! For the recipe, click here.
Gluten-Free or not, this is one of the best desserts I have ever tasted.
If you like chocolate, this silky, rich, chocolate, dessert is the bomb!
For the recipe, click on the highlighted title, or click here.
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10. Have your spouse make a list of the top chores they would like you to complete. Then complete at least one of the chores before V-day. Write them a note explaining that you will complete the rest of the list by a specific date. Be sure to honor that date!
Or better yet, complete a chore before she/he has to ask you! Kevin Leman, author of the book Sex Begins in the Kitchen tells men, in reference to their wives, "Notice her world, and do something about it". What he is saying is to notice what needs to be done before your spouse has to nag you about it. Then be proactive, and get it done!
Complete some chores for your spouse! I know....but this is a good way to show them how much you love them!
11. Get creative and personal. See number 6, the heart puzzle. Putting time and effort into a gift for your spouse will mean more to them than spending money. Or order something unique. These could be Acts of Service and/or Gifts. Look on social media or on the internet. My neighbor dropped off this special and unique gift, a Hot Chocolate Bomb! You put the beautiful heart below in warm milk and it turns into hot chocolate! I love it! Thank you, Jamie!đ
This was made locally by Zaramadeit on Instagram, or on Facebook, Zara Made It.
These hearts are the bomb!!! Check out her cakes as well!
Touch
12. Plan a date that requires lots of snuggling. For example, watch a scary movie, hold hands when taking a walk, sit by a fireplace with hot chocolate, and snuggle.
13. Touch and Acts of Service. Plan to give your spouse a romantic massage. Give them a card or note letting them know you have made an appointment for them to get a massage. Then lead them to the bedroom or other room you have prepared for the massage. Make sure that you plan ahead. For example, have towels, lotions, candles, and soothing or romantic music ready to go. Look up ways how to actually give a decent massage!
14. Give your loved ones lots of hugs, not just on this day but every day.
Hold hands when walking, or rub their back at the end of the day. Show appropriate affection in front of others like holding hands. Give your spouse a kiss in the morning and when you come home. If this is difficult for you make small efforts at first, but push yourself. Remember this is not about you, this is how your spouse feels love. Think about spending time in an activity and give lots of hugs and kisses along the way.
If this is your child's love language, give hugs often.
Quality Time
15. Plan a date that involves spending time with your spouse/child in ways that are meaningful to them. Go to a theatre (there are still a few that are open) or watch a movie at home. Watch a romantic movie, a scary movie, or whatever they like. Plan to have popcorn, candy, and drinks ready. Serve your spouse or child.
16. Give them a Starbucks card, Barnes and Noble gift card, etc. Plan on having coffee, and discussing your future plans. You can never go wrong with a Starbucks gift card if you are a coffee lover. Some of my favorite dates with Carey are when we go to Starbucks or Barnes and Noble and get some coffee and talk.
17. Plan on doing something active together. Maybe your spouse or child likes to be active, but you not so much. Remember, this is about them, not you! Plan to take a hike, ride bikes together, go swimming, or even take a long walk together. Give them a list of activities that you would be willing to do with them. Let them pick the activity. Have the details worked out for all of the activities. For example, make sure the bikes are in good shape. Have a cooler filled with drinks and food. Show your spouse/child that you have put a lot of thought into the activity and have taken care of the details.
Plan a picnic after your activity. This will make your outing even more special. Spend some time talking.
Or if you are like my cousin Linda, you might want to plan an activity that is just a little more thrilling...
18. Play a game or engage in an activity that your spouse or child likes. For example, my youngest son loves to play chess. I don't enjoy it so much. However, it is not about me. I show my son love when I am willing to sit down and play a game of chess with him.
An idea would be to give your child or spouse a note that you will spend an evening doing the activity that they enjoy, for example playing chess. â€ïž
Gifts
19. Personalized M&M's. A sweet and creative gift. To order click here.
I ordered these a couple of years ago for Carey, my sister-in-law, Suzahn, and my kids. They loved them! There are so many options. You can even include initials and names. â€ïž
20. Get creative and personal. See numbers 3, 6, and 11 above, for an example.
21. Buy a gift card from the place they love. See number 16 for coffee lovers.
22. Buy the thing they always said they wanted....like my mom's engagement ring.
My mother always wanted a diamond engagement ring. My Dad, who loved her dearly, could sometimes be a little cheap. There were times in their marriage when money was tight. However, later on, when I was in high school and then in college, Mom would still talk about how she wanted a diamond ring. Apparently, the wedding ring he gave her did have diamonds in it, but you needed a magnifying glass to see them. My mother's words!
When I was in college, my dad would ask mom what she wanted for Christmas or her birthday. I would always comment that he knew what she wanted. Eventually, he did get her that diamond ring. I realize now that her love language was Gifts.
My mom was a wonderful gift-giver. She would collect gifts throughout the year to give for birthdays and Christmas. I am like that as well. Gifts don't always have to be expensive, just meaningful.
Many women want a nice engagement ring both for its value and for its meaning. I am not sure why dad waited so long to get her that engagement ring. But I think he later realized he should have bought it sooner. It meant so much to her.
Of course, this is the perfect holiday to propose. If you do, put some thought into the engagement ring!
In Closing
I hope that gave you just a few ideas! Happy, very cold, Valentine's Day! Make the most of the holiday, and let someone know how much you care! It can be a friend, a neighbor, or someone who recently lost a loved one. It is especially important during this time of Covid. We all need to know we are loved!
In case you don't know, you are so loved by our Heavenly Father...
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 â€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïž
In memory of my beloved sister-in-law, Suzahn who went to heaven last year on Valentine's Day 2020.
She never really liked Valentine's Day, she would call it Single Awareness Day! I know she appreciates the irony of going to heaven on this day. She was loved by so many, I think it is appropriate she went to her Father in heaven on a day that celebrates love.
Until I see you again my dear sister,
I miss your face, I miss your fun!
Love you with all my heart. â€ïž p
Your brother misses you too! đ
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