Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and you probably need gift ideas.
But before we get to that, while I secretly think the greeting card industry made up this holiday, it does have a story of origin. I found this version of the story at CBN.com.
The story of St. Valentine
St. Valentine was a Roman Priest when there was an emperor called Claudias who persecuted the church at that particular time. He also had an edict that prohibited the marriage of young people. This was based on the hypothesis that unmarried soldiers fought better than married soldiers because married soldiers might be afraid of what might happen to them or their wives or families if they died.
The idea of encouraging them to marry within the Christian church was what Valentine was about. And he secretly married them because of the edict.
Valentine was eventually caught, imprisoned, and tortured for performing marriage ceremonies against the command of Emperor Claudius the second. There are legends told about Valentine’s actions while in prison.
One of the men who was to judge him in line with Roman law was Asterius, whose daughter was blind. (Others say Asterius was a jailor and knew of St. Valentine’s healing powers.) St. Valentine was supposed to have prayed with and healed the young girl with such an astonishing effect that Asterius became Christian.
In the year 269 AD, Valentine was sentenced to a three-part execution of a beating, stoning, and decapitation because of his stand for Christian marriage. The story goes that the last words he wrote were in a note to Asterius’ daughter. He inspired today’s romantic missives by signing it, “from your Valentine.”
Not everyone believes this story, and I’m sure there are many different versions, but it may help to understand the holiday.
How we can celebrate today
In any case, Valentine’s day is a day to celebrate romantic love, friendship, and admiration. The most common gifts that are shared are cards, flowers, and chocolate. And, believe me, I would be thrilled to get any of those, but I think we can get a little more creative.
Here are a few ideas:
- Recreate your first date!
- Buy a journal and make time to write in it together. Use the Living Marvelously Journal for daily prompts!
- Take a cooking class together.
- Write sweet nothings on post-it notes and put them in places around the house they will see throughout the day. I would also stick one in their purse, briefcase, or lunch bag.
- Go to a spa together and get a couple’s massage.
- Make heart-shaped food. I like to make pancakes, pizza, cookies, or sandwiches.
- Make your significant other breakfast in bed.
- Write a love poem and have it framed.
- Design your own greeting card.
- Write a love letter, or better yet, find an old love letter and read it out loud to your spouse. (Ideally, the old love letter was written to your spouse?)
- My favorite Valentine’s Day date is staying home, making a nice dinner with wine, playing cribbage, and watching a movie.
If you have time and creative energy flowing…
Another great idea is to print love coupons and find a creative way to present them. You could decorate a jar, find a stuffed animal or pillow with a pocket, or you could string it together with a ribbon. I actually did this one year! I found a heart-shaped pillow with a pocket in front at a Hallmark store. Unfortunately, I can’t locate where I put that, but here is an example of a pillow with a pocket. My sister Deb actually made this one.
Love coupon ideas:
- Breakfast in bed
- Dinner out, my treat
- Go to a movie
- Foot rub
- Massage
- Dairy Queen Run
- Do one of their chores
- Night of cuddling
- Nap with no interruptions
- (I’m sure you can think of some more romantic ones too?)
If you like this idea, check out this website. There are lots of free printable love coupons already made for you.
Valentine’s Day is not just about celebrating with your significant other.
If you are single, Valentine’s Day may be another day of the week. But you can use it as an excuse to show people in your life how much they mean to you. Make an excuse to buy some Valentine’s Day gifts and have some fun!
- Get together with friends and let them know what their friendship means to you.
- Buy your pet a special treat.
- Tell your parents how much you appreciate them.
- Bring some chocolate or dessert to work and let your co-workers know that you care about them as people and not just how they function in your work setting.
- Send those cute little valentine’s cards to your nieces, nephews, cousins, or other little children in your life.
- Call your children and tell them you love them.
- Reach out to someone who may have lost their spouse this year and let them know you are thinking of them.
- Buy yourself some chocolate or flowers.
One last idea…
Why not gift yourself or your loved one a book that helps you discover how to leap into a life you love? Check out The 5 Ls of Living Marvelously and be inspired to make your dreams come true.
Do you have other Valentine’s Day gift ideas? How will you celebrate?
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” Charles M. Schulz
Other Posts You Might Enjoy:
10 Ways to Add More Love Into Your Life
Friendship Card Quotes to Put A Smile on Someone’s Face