Valentine’s Day is a weird holiday. It deals with one of most important emotions a human can ever feel and is in turn one of the most commercialized. Thousands of couples feel the pressure of pulling off the perfect romantic date, and millions of single people feel the ostracization of being alone.
If you’re in either category, fret no more! Here are some ways to spread the love to everyone in your life, whether it’s your partner, your friends or yourself.
1. Indulge Your Sweet Tooth
Yes, this even applies to those people secretly thinking Valentine's Day candy isn't that great. I can't help you with that, but I will say that you should try indulging a bit with something a little bad for you. Give yourself a little reward for handling schools, bills or getting out of bed.
You deserve it, and so do your partner and friends. Give out some candy with a note or two to show how much you appreciate them. This is the time of year when the good stuff comes out, and most of it will be on sale anyway!
2. Take Yourself Out Inside
It's hard to romance someone on a budget, and sometimes a dinner is just not in the cards. An easy solution to that is to create an intimate space right where you live.
Order some take-out from your favorite place, and set a mood inside your living space, whether that's at a kitchen table with flowers or in front of the TV. That's low stress for you and for your wallet. Even if you don't have a sweetheart to share the day with, give yourself permission to enjoy it by yourself or with friends.
3. Send Out an Old Fashioned Valentine’s Day Card
Valentine's Day in elementary school was just the best. Everyone had to bring stuff for everyone, and it was one of the few times eating candy in class was encouraged. Why not bring that feeling back?
Write out some funny and heartfelt Valentine's Day cards for friends and family to show your love. It doesn't have to be fancy or particularly clever; even a bad pun or two will be accepted. Just make sure the card to your special Valentine is a little more sweet.
4. Watch Your Past Burn
Well, your symbolic past. Everyone has emotional baggage and a lot of it is centered around the people who've hurt us when we trusted them. Valentine's Day can bring out those emotions, especially when that baggage is centered around an old ex.
So write that person a letter, whether it's an ex-partner, friend or family member. Tell them everything you've ever wanted to say to them -- then light it up (in a safe place like a metal garbage can outside). Allow the flames to eat up all those negative feelings, and let them go up in smoke.
5. Be of Service
Now that you've dealt with your past, you can focus on the future. Take some time volunteering so that you can help out someone going through a hard time. This is also a cute date idea for Valentine's Day because what's a better way to show your love than your teamwork to help others?
If you don't know of any immediate opportunities, Volunteer Match is a great place to turn. They'll match you with an organization or event based on your interests and location. So get out there, and use your talents to make the world a better place!
6. Build a Mood While You Cook a Meal
Well, a mood other than panic. Make cooking more of an activity than a chore. Like it or not, it's an art form and one that can be fun, I promise.
When you're making dinner for yourself or anyone else, put on some music, and have fun singing along or having a unchoreographed dance performance. Just make sure nothing falls where it's not supposed to fall.
7. Call Someone and Say You Love Them
Seriously. This is the simplest thing in the world to do and simultaneously the easiest to forget. Cards (as nice as they are) get lost in the mail and signals can be misinterpreted.
Make sure that the people in your life know how much you love them, even if they're far away. Odds are, they want to tell you too.
Happy Valentine's Day!
