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14 Out-of-the-Ordinary Options to Mark Valentine’s Day

Jodi Blake

Man and woman outdoors holding red heart balloons

Every February that special day of love and friendship rolls around. It’s fun to express our feelings for those wonderful spouses, partners, and family members, especially the kiddos. Many of us rely on traditional ways to proclaim our feelings on Valentine’s Day – flowers, cards, candy, stuffed animals, or jewelry.

 

These traditions have been around for quite a while, too. According to Good Housekeeping’s article, 30 Fun Valentine’s Day Facts about the Holiday’s History

  • The oldest Valentine on record is from 1415 when Charles, Duke of Orleans, sent a special message to his wife while he was detained in the Tower of London as a political prisoner.  

  • Mass-produced Valentine’s cards weren’t available until the 1840s. Esther A. Howland, aka The Mother of Valentines, is credited with the commercialization of these cards, which featured lace and ribbons, in America. 

  • The first Valentine’s Day cards by Hallmark Cards were first offered in stores in 1913. Nowadays, Hallmark estimates that Americans exchange 145 million Valentine’s Day cards.  

  • The first heart-shaped box of chocolates was packaged by Richard Cadbury, son of Cadbury founder John Cadbury, in 1868 to increase sales. He would feel quite proud that we now purchase 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates each year – a whopping 58 million pounds of chocolate! 

  • Giving roses for Valentine’s Day necessitates growing nearly 250 million blooms each year. Due to the winter climate in the US, roses are shipped in mainly from Ecuador, Kenya and Colombia. 


But what if you’re looking for some new ideas for Valentine’s Day? Consider these out-of-the-ordinary options for some inspiration. Feel free to embellish them to your heart’s content.


Couple touching foreheads while holding their hands together to form a heart shape

Option 1: Make a donation in your significant other’s honor. 

If your special someone supports a charitable organization or cause, consider making a contribution in his or her name. Or stick with a heart theme by donating to the American Heart Association or others listed in this article, 9 Best Charities that Help Heart Patients.


Option 2: Create a coupon book. 

We all have different love languages – being hugged, texting each other during the day, leaving little surprises on her nightstand, or picking up his favorite ice cream flavor after he’s had a bad day at work. How about incorporating some of those things plus other activities into a custom coupon book for your special someone? Grab some index cards or small pieces of paper and start writing. Be creative with expiration dates, if coupons can be used more than once, or if there are “blank” coupons that the recipient can fill in.


Man and woman holding Target shopping bags for a Date Night Challenge video screenshot

Option 3: Play a Date Night game at your favorite store. 

A Tik Tok challenge that many probably know already that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day is the Target Couples Challenge. The objective involves a couple going to a Target store to shop separately for each other using different categories – such as buy your partner something in their favorite color, an item that makes you think of your partner, and a piece of clothing your partner has to wear on your next date. Then after shopping solo, the couple shares the gifts with each other while recording a video, often with hilarious reactions. Sound like something you and your significant other would enjoy? Well, don’t just go with the typical challenge objective – get creative! Check out these ideas for customizing your categories, setting a budget or time limit, or shopping at a different store.


Option 4: Spread love to others in senior care facilities or children’s hospitals. 

Everyone enjoys being remembered on Valentine’s Day, especially those people who may feel a bit forgotten or aren’t in their usual surroundings. Pick up or create your own Valentine’s cards and deliver them to a senior care facility, nursing home, or children’s hospital ward or home in your community. Be sure to confirm whether your donations can be accepted and if there are any guidelines or restrictions to follow. Then enjoy knowing others are smiling because of your kindness.

 

Option 5: Go on a Valentine's Day scavenger hunt. 

Whether with your significant other, kids, or gal pals, why not organize a Valentine’s Day-themed scavenger hunt? The thrill of searching for clues to get to a specific destination adds some competitive spice to a holiday focused on love.


If you need some scavenger hunt ideas to get started, check out these resources: 


Paper note I Love You near cup of morning drink and waffle on bed

Option 6: Hide love notes for your partner and/or kids. 

Who doesn’t love finding a hidden love note from someone you love? Why not surprise your significant other with special messages leading up to Valentine’s Day – or any day of the year. Tuck them in the sock drawer, under the corner of a laptop or coaster by his or her favorite seat, or between the eggs in the carton in the fridge. The more unexpected the location, the more fun it will be for your special someone to discover them.


Option 7: Count it down to Valentine’s Day. 

If you like the anticipation of an upcoming holiday, then a countdown could be fun to set up for your significant other or your kids. You could create a one-week or two-week countdown with little activities to do, yummy treats, and/or loving messages. Make it whatever you and your special one(s) will enjoy celebrating each day.


Option 8: Cue up your top five sitcom romantic episodes. 

Plan a View and Chill Night with your favorite sitcom character love interests. Think Friends “The One with the Prom Video” episode from season 2 when Phoebe exclaims “He’s her lobster,” believing lobsters mate for life, when Ross and Rachel get back together after a fight. You could add the Gilmore Girls season 4 finale “Raincoats and Recipes” when Luke and Lorelai have their long-awaited first kiss. Or consider the Ted Lasso “Sunflowers” episode from season 3 when Rebecca meets the mysterious Dutch man who helps fish her out of a canal in Amsterdam.


Check your streaming services for your favorite sitcom romances and pair them with snacks that remind you of them.


Option 9: Celebrate with your gal pals. 

Whether there’s a significant other in your life or not, our gal pals always hold a special spot in our lives and shouldn’t be forgotten. The Galentine’s Day global holiday is typically celebrated on February 13, but any day is appropriate. Plan a fun outing or even a get together at one of your homes. How about a Galentine’s Day charcuterie board with red, pink and white foods along with wine, boozy drinks or fizzy sodas? Add some games and activities, such as these free printable “What’s in Your Purse” game or these 17 game ideas. Cheers to gal pals!


Option 10: Visit resale shops with friends. 

Another Galentine’s Day idea adds the fun of shopping! Get your besties together for a day of resale shop hopping. Spice it up by drawing names (with shirt sizes) out of a hat, so each shopper can find a Valentine-inspired top or accessory for their designated friend. Top off the shopping with a fashion show back home with some appetizers and a fun rosé spritzer.


Loving young Asian couple cooking in kitchen making healthy food together feeling fun

Option 11: Pair cooking a heart-healthy meal with a gym session, run or stroll. 

If sharing a romantic meal together fits your love language, but you want to avoid the high-priced restaurants, reservation hassle, and boatload of extra calories, why not plan to cook up a healthy meal together? Then follow up the meal with time together at the gym. Maybe going for a quick run together is more your speed – or even a leisurely stroll through the park. Check out some healthy Valentine’s Day meal recipes from EatingWell, food.com, and Delish.


Option 12: Paint positivity or kindness rocks to gift or deposit them for others to find. 

Looking for a creative, artsy way to express your feelings for your Valentine or to others in general? Try painting positivity or kindness rocks with artwork and positive, affirming words and expressions. Here’s a short video to demonstrate the process. Your rocks could be decorated as a gift for your special someone, friends or family. You could also leave them around your community as a way of spreading positivity and kindness to others. Imagine the smiles you can generate.


Option 13: Ask your parents or grandparents about their love story. 

Have you ever wondered how your parents or grandparents met, what they remember about dating each other, or why they knew they found the right one to marry or partner with? Jot down some questions and make time to have a good conversation in person or other the phone. Ask them to share photos, if possible. Document what you’ve learned, scan those photos, and share these memories with others in your family.


Option 14: Document your own love story in words, video, or photos. 

Why not capture your own special love story – and make it a shared effort with your partner? You could capture how you met, what first attracted each of you to the other, who initiated the first date, what were each of your favorite date memories, and big milestones in your relationship. Presenting your partner with a collage of photos, a hard-cover notebook, and/or a suggested list of categories can be the starting point of Your Love Story masterpiece. 

 

And if you aren’t currently connected with a significant other or don’t celebrate Galentine’s Day, here’s a bonus option that you can consider.


Woman throwing an axe at target for fun

Bonus Option 15: Plan an evening of axe throwing?  

If you’re not thrilled about your current lack of a relationship, maybe you need something that takes your mind off the matter. How about throwing a sharp axe at a target? This modern sport has become popular in the last 20 years as dedicated clubs and venues have opened. Gather up some friends and find out who’s got some hidden skills. 

 

No matter how you celebrate Valentine’s Day, know that you’re loved and appreciated here at Friendsville Square!


 

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~ Heather M. and Jodi B. 

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1 bình luận


Robert
30 thg 1

I ask my husband to buy me a miniature rose bush from jewel instead of flowers. Then I plant them! They survive zone 5b/6a!

Thích
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