vday

The dreaded, or beloved, day of love is upon us. What are your plans? I’m not sure if we have any as that was left up to the hub this year but I’ve spent a lot of time the last few days brainstorming, and googling, clever valentine’s day gifts and date ideas for my man. Although we decided not to do “gifts” and just do something fun together I still thought about finding him something special just to say “I love you.” However, I’m feeling left empty handed this year with only a card to express my love. So I started thinking about things I’ve done in past years for him, and others, and thought I’d pass along some of those ideas as I thought they were pretty good ones. I did find some good date ideas online too that I thought were clever and different than the usual dinner and a movie night.

Idea #1

Homemade Card & Cookie Box - filled with nothing other than homemade cards and cookies. Remember the valentine’s card boxes we used to have to make in elementary to put all your valentines in? Well this is sort of a spinoff of that. If I remember correctly I used different colored tissue and wrapping paper to cover a shoe box, I then bought several different kiddie valentine cards and made some of my own, made homemade sugar cookies with frosting, decorated them, and filled the box with all these homemade goodies. Creative, fun, and tasty. However, the now practical side of me says, what am I gonna do with the box after I give it to him – throw it away, what a wasteJ

Idea #2

Dinner In & a Thoughtful Note – my first Valentine’s day with Jimmy is still one of my favorite memories of us. 2 years ago while I was living in North Carolina Jimmy came for a visit over Valentine’s Day(ish) and I planned a special evening in for just the 2 of us. I dressed up and got ready quickly then told him to take his time relaxing and getting ready while I prepared dinner. I then served him a 4 course candle lit dinner all dressed up. I remember our dinner conversation being all about our future together and our love for each other; I remember feeling total contentment and just genuinely enjoying each other’s company. After dinner we laid out a blanket and candles in front of the fireplace and I read him something I had written– “50 reasons why I love you”. After we got married and moved in together I found that “letter” amongst his things which made me realize how much it meant to him, even as a guyJ So, my best Valentine’s Day memory is my first one with Jimmy spent as an evening in together enjoying a candlelit dinner and the fireplace. Idea #2 = huge success.

Idea #3

Concert or Show Tickets – I’ve done this as a gift on several different occasions and it’s always a success. Doing something fun together that’s not an every day event is a fun way to say I love you.

Idea #4

Shopping & An Evening Out – last year for Valentine’s day Jimmy took me shopping to pick out any outfit I wanted and then we had reservations at a yummy Italian restaurant. It was lots of fun going together to pick out an outfit with no limitsJ and then hit the town. Probably more of a guy to girl gift idea but I loved it.

Idea #5

Stargazing – this is one I read about and thought it was a fun and creative idea. Since it’s cold in most states this month it may need a little variation but nonetheless I liked it. The idea was to pack a small picnic complete with a thermos of hot chocolate, or beverage of choice, candles, and a blanket, and head outside of town for an evening under the stars. While it may be cold it could be fun to bundle and cuddle up while enjoying a little picnic and drinks outdoors.

So – that’s about all I have for your Valentine’s Day date and/or gift ideas. I know I will enjoy this day with my love and be thankful that I have such an amazing person to share my life with. I also love to think about all the other people in my life that I love so much – my parents, siblings, niece and nephews, grandparents, friends and so on.

Whatever you do and whether you’re single, married, dating, engaged, or otherwise be sure to tell those that you love Happy Valentine’s Day and that you love them come MondayJ

And let me know if you have any other great gift or date ideas, I’d love to hear them!