Indulge in Valentine's Day

Saint Valentine is a person whose identity is synonymous with love and each year we celebrate his work and the bond that initially pulls and eventually tethers two people together for eternity. You can celebrate Valentine’s Day as a holiday for love of all kinds — a little love goes a long way. This year, February 14^th falls on a Tuesday so there is an entire weekend (and two weekends) to work with. Here are some ways to celebrate the feast of Saint Valentine that go beyond a dozen flowers:

• Have a picnic! If you’re in a warm weather climate, go to a beach or park. For those of us who are in the midst of winter, spread the picnic in front of the fireplace. My husband and I liked to pack a picnic dinner and spend the evening enjoying a double-feature at the drive-in movie theatre.

• Take a walk. Get a couple cups of hot chocolate or an ice cream cone and stroll together through downtown. Don’t talk about the work that needs to be done on the house, just relax and enjoy your wonderful company.

• Give a flowering plant. Flowers are lovely, but have a limited lifespan so consider giving a living plant, such as a rose vine, blossoming shrub, or fruit-bearing tree, instead. Keep it inside until the ground thaws then plant it in your garden. One Valentine’s Day, a friend gave me a potted Azalea which now flourishes in my parents’ front yard.

• Relive your first date. It’s simple, but very romantic to revisit the early days of your now established and loving relationship. Even if your first date was just a late-night bite at the local diner, being together is what makes it special.

• Cook a dream meal together. You don’t have to choose complicated recipes to make it a dream meal, just choose your favorite food and prepare it as a couple, group of friends, or family. If you want to make it a learning experience, sign up for a cooking class together.

• Ice a cupcake with his or her name on it. Thought doesn’t need to cost much. A box of alphabet sprinkles and a cupcake is all you need to show your sweet toothed love you care.

• Create something special. These days, it’s easy to make a gift that looks professionally designed. Look at CafePress and Snapfish for ideas on creating a custom tee-shirt, water bottle, photo album, or coffee mug that can be enjoyed not just on Valentine’s Day, but year-round.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the best things come from the heart so consider what makes your love special and act on it. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Saint Valentine is a person whose identity is synonymous with love and each year we celebrate his work and the bond that initially pulls and eventually tethers two people together for eternity. You can celebrate Valentine’s Day as a holiday for love of all kinds — a little love goes a long way. This year, February 14^th falls on a Monday so there is an entire weekend to work with. Here are some ways to celebrate the feast of Saint Valentine that go beyond a dozen roses:

• Have a picnic! If you’re in a warm weather climate, go to a beach or park. For those of us who are in the midst of winter, spread the picnic in front of the fireplace. My husband and I liked to pack a picnic dinner and spend the evening enjoying a double-feature at the drive-in movie theatre.

• Take a walk. Get a couple cups of hot chocolate or an ice cream cone and stroll together through downtown. Don’t talk about the work that needs to be done on the house, just relax and enjoy your wonderful company.

• Give a flowering plant. Flowers are lovely, but have a limited lifespan so consider giving a living plant, such as a rose vine, blossoming shrub, or fruit-bearing tree, instead. Keep it inside until the ground thaws then plant it in your garden. One Valentine’s Day, a friend gave me a potted Azalea which now flourishes in my parents’ front yard.

• Relive your first date. It’s simple, but very romantic to revisit the early days of your now established and loving relationship. Even if your first date was just a late-night bite at the local diner, being together is what makes it special.

• Cook a dream meal together. You don’t have to choose complicated recipes to make it a dream meal, just choose your favorite food and prepare it as a couple, group of friends, or family. If you want to make it a learning experience, sign up for a cooking class together.

• Create something special. These days, it’s easy to make a gift that looks professionally designed. Look at CafePress and Snapfish for ideas on creating a custom tee-shirt, water bottle, photo album, or coffee mug that can be enjoyed not just on Valentine’s Day, but year-round.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the best things come from the heart so consider what makes your love special and act on it. Happy Valentine’s Day!