When it comes to Valentine's Day, people usually fall into three categories:
You hate the holiday because it's too cheesy, too commercialized, or too pink.
You love the holiday because it's so cute, so sweet, and so pink.
You only go along with it because you’re in a relationship.
Of course, I'm a full supporter of Valentine's Day because pretty pink hearts and baby cupids remind me of going to the dollar store with my mom every year to pick out decorations for my birthday. My birthday is a few days before Valentine's Day, so the two have always been clumped together (I assume people born around Halloween or the Fourth of July experience the same thing). The haters of the world will wield their fists while shouting, “You shouldn't have to buy flowers and jewelry to show someone you love them.” I couldn’t agree more. Of course, Charming Chatter has a list of much more creative and sentimental ways to remind your loved ones you're thinking of them this February 14th.
1. A Poem From The Heart
William Shakespeare is one of the individuals who romanticized the ancient feast of St. Valentine into the lovey-dovey celebration we recognize today. Shakespeare referred to Valentine's Day in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Hamlet as the day when two hearts become one. What better way to show your special someone your heart doth beat for them than by writing them a poem, Shakespeare style. Don't worry; you don’t have to recite it under their balcony or be star-crossed lovers. This is also the perfect gift to show your besties or parents you value them dearly / from the bottom of your heart / so, so much / you never want to be apart. I'm sure anyone will appreciate the thought and effort that goes into writing a poem. Unlike flowers, a poem never dies, just like your eternal love.
2. A Cup of Coffee
If you have any coffee addicts in your life, you certainly know how much they love a good old cup of joe. There is no simpler way to put a smile on their face than with a cup of coffee from their favorite local or chain establishment. It'll run you less than $5.00, but this small gesture screams volumes in the heart of a coffee lover, both from the caffeine rush and the mere fact you went out of your way to grab it for them early in the morning. Bonus points if you know their order without asking them. Even if they take their coffee without sugar, this gift is sweeter than any box of chocolates because it demonstrates how well you know your special someone. Don’t forget to treat your mom to some coffee; I’m sure she has a shirt or two with a cheesy coffee quote on it.
3. A Painting
You don’t have to be Leonardo Da Vinci to pick up a paintbrush. A painting is a thoughtful and unique way to express your love through an artistic perspective. For those who haven't painted since kindergarten, worry not! You can find simple tutorials on Youtube that will assist you in your Renaissance-esque approach to a Valentine’s Day gift. After picking up your heart-shaped plates and decorations from the dollar tree, don't leave before checking the arts and crafts aisle. Select a canvas and some red, pink, and white paint to replicate this adorable heart painting I made. If you're celebrating Galentine’s Day with your closest girlies, a heart painting craft could be a fantastic group activity.
4. An Experience
As vague as it sounds, an experience could hold much more sentiment than a pair of earrings or a fresh pair of kicks. You can plan a sunrise picnic and pack a Valentine’s inspired breakfast: pink and red swirl bagels, strawberries, and sweet and tart pink lemonade. If your partner isn’t the early bird type, perhaps they would appreciate a cooking, pottery, or dancing class. Whether dating for 5 months or married for 30 years, you can always learn something new about the person you love by embarking on a fun experience.
5. A Home-Cooked Meal
Most people think you need to book a reservation, weeks in advance, to the fanciest restaurant in the city, all to prove how much you love your better half. However, only a home-cooked meal is made with love. Pasta is a foolproof dish that is simple enough for even the most inexperienced cooks while also being a fan favorite. Many grocery stores even sell heart-shaped ravioli just for the occasion. For adventurous home chefs, make heart-shaped pizzas with your love bird’s favorite pizza toppings. The age-old saying continues to ring true: the way to someone's heart is through their stomach.
6. A Book
Even if you or the person you love is not a fan of reading, this could be a great way to start your literature journey! Reading becomes all the more enjoyable when you have a person to book-talk with. What better way to diversify your conversations than with the help of incredible writers? Grab a book for yourself and another copy for your Valentine as a creative and thought-provoking way to bond. For the seasoned readers, this is the perfect opportunity to open up your heart and soul to your Valentine by gifting them a novel you absolutely adore! Bonus points if the book has “love” or “heart” in the title!
7. Photo Album
With all of the perks that smartphones bring, the one downfall is that your pictures sit in a virtual album you seem to forget about. There is no craftier way to show how real your love is than with real copies of photos of you together. Walgreens and CVS make it easy and accessible to upload and develop pictures all from your phone. While many believe developing images is unnecessary and expensive, incredible coupon codes are always available. A photo album is also an opportunity to reflect on the beautiful times you have shared with someone. For Etsy-loving guys and gals, take this gift one step further by creating a scrapbook with fun stickers and messages about each photo.
8. Playlist
“The Playlist” is the modern-day Mixtape. I'm too young to remember a time when the peak expression of love was hand-selecting songs and burning them on a CD (never forgetting to label it with a pretty sharpie marker). This tedious task was the perfect way to share your favorite songs with someone with the hope they would listen and think of you. The playlist (with the help of streaming) can take minutes to curate, but it accomplishes the same objective: use lyrics to help express all that you feel inside. Make sure you pick a clever title and a cute cover photo, and maybe write up a description if you want to add a more personal touch.
9. Homemade Sweets
If you are a fan of The Great British Baking Show, Valentine’s Day is a sweet time to put those skills to the test. Heart cakes are an emerging trend these days. You can find endless inspo pics online of conversation-heart-inspired cakes with cute and thoughtful sayings frosted across the top. My personal favorite is the vintage, highly decorative heart cakes topped with shiny cherries and intricate piping. If you love baking almost as much as you love your Valentine, heart-shaped desserts are the way to go. This is the cutest addition to any Valentine’s Day Party for you and all your friends to share.
10. “A Note A Day” Jar
Pinterest is at the forefront of handmade gift ideas. I've seen many variations of the “jar of notes” idea all over the internet. While it may seem like a cheesy idea, the fact that you can personalize it specifically for someone you love makes it a truly romantic gesture. If your Valentine's love language is words of affirmation, fill the jar with notes highlighting all the reasons you value them. If their love language is quality time, write up fun date ideas, so you always have plans to look forward to. If their love language is acts of service, fill the jar with coupons they can cash in later. The possibilities for the “Note A Day” jar are endless. All you need is paper, a pen, and a jar. The hopeless romantics could jazz up the jar with ribbon, glitter, and pictures.
Love all your charming chatter pieces.