Creative Ways that Everyone Can Celebrate Love
Valentine’s Day can be a polarizing holiday: people seem to love it, hate it, or just want to skip it. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Love comes in different forms and is for everyone, no matter what age or stage of life you are in. Read on for some ways you can share and celebrate love in your household, within your social circle, and in your community.
Within Your Household
Enlist everyone under your roof to help plan a fun night at home! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Decorate the house (look here for some ideas that can double as gifts)
- Cook a gourmet dinner (or a traditional favorite)
- Bake or buy a delicious dessert
- Have a dance party
- Stream a special movie
- Set up your own goofy Valentine’s Day photo booth, complete with props
- Play board games, card games, or an “escape room in a box”
- Swap homemade coupons that can be redeemed for acts of love and service
- Take an online "virtual" tour of Paris or another romantic locale
Don’t forget to show some extra love to pets and plants, too!
Within Your Social Circle
Think of creative ways to show care for people who might be easily overlooked this year. Is there a single parent in your neighborhood who could use a break? Offer to help out in some way, with a pre-made meal, activities for the kids, or a small self-care item for the parent.
Elderly neighbors and grandparents might appreciate a meal, homemade Valentine’s Day cards, flowers, or just a quick phone call to say you are thinking of them.
For the singles and friends in your life, there are countless of ways to let them know they are seen, cared for, and appreciated. Any of the above ideas can work, or you can set up something to do as a group such as
- Hosting a karaoke night or online singing contest
- Cooking dinner together
- Doing a service project
- Writing and sharing “I appreciate this about you” letters
- Indulging in a spa afternoon
- Picking something from each of your “One day I will ___” lists to make happen this year
Within Your Community
Show your community some love by volunteering your time and energy for a service project or ongoing opportunity.
Take some time to write a Valentine’s Day “thank you” to the community helpers and other people who make such a difference in our lives: firefighters, law enforcement, postal carriers, local librarians, your local pharmacist. Don’t forget teachers, too!
You can also clean up litter in your local park, decorating your sidewalks, or asking how you can help beautify the local school grounds. Or research options to plant or help with a community garden.
However you decide to celebrate, use some of these ideas as inspiration to “spread the love” all year round.
Check out opportunities to show love the community and do some lasting good at the Local Good Center or the new Local Good Pantry.