Happy Valentine’s Day Month! I know some of you are cringing right now, but I am a sucker for Valentine’s Day. Yup, all the cheesy decorations, heart candies and chocolates, flowers, stuffed animals, dressing up in pink and red with hearts, I love it all.
This isn’t because I am married, either. I have always loved Valentine’s Day since I was a kid in Elementary school. It was so exciting going to the store with my mom to pick out the perfect Valentine’s Day cards to pass out to my classmates. When we got home, I opened them, and picked out which cards were going to go to whom based on what the card said. If it was too lovey dovey, it definitely was not going to a boy! Ick! I didn’t want them to think I liked them. Then I would pick the prettiest ones to give to my friends (who were girls), and I would write really nice things in them. If I got to give candy or pencils with hearts on them, even better! I PLANNED my Valentine’s Day hand out. Didn’t you?
Ok, so maybe I went a little overboard, but as a mushy feelings person, I just loved to see the look on my classmates faces when they received their cards. I wanted to make sure they felt special. Then getting cards back in return that said special things about me just was the cherry on top.
My mom also made Valentine’s Day special, because she would get my favorite chocolates, Andes Mint Chocolates. She would gift a whole box to me and I would have it all to myself. Then my Papa and Abuela, would gift me a stuffed animal or more chocolates as well. Knowing they thought about me with even the simplest gesture, made me feel loved. To me, Valentine’s Day was an act of love to others. which made it special.
As years have passed, Valentine’s Day has become more of a commercialized institution and has lost the luster of what I felt it represented. Mass media encourages people to spend to show how much they love someone based on the amount of money they spend (and usually that’s only for a significant other). The art of a thoughtful gift has been lost in the hype of getting something big and flashy.
But what if we took back Valentine’s Day and showed what it could represent? That joy of being a kid again, getting excited about giving a simple, tiny card and receiving one in exchange, without spending a ton of money. Acts of kindness that can be done for anyone because something that was taught to me was that love is infinite. It can be extended to multiple people without taking away from others.
So this Valentine’s Day, instead of trying to buy a big gift, exhibit your love through acts of kindness to your family, friends, or even a stranger that looks like they could use a pick me up. Here are some ideas that I came up with but I encourage any other ones you can think of:
1. Make homemade cards like you did as a kid, and hand them out, or mail them to those who are far away.
2. Send a kind and thoughtful text message to family and friends, or even better…call them! Let them know how much they mean to you and why they are important to your life.
3. Give someone a hug for no reason (we can leave the strangers out of this one!). Hug your spouse, kids, parents, or siblings. Let them know you love them and just want to squeeze them tight.
4. Make a meal, coffee, or bake something. I know the people in your life would appreciate this and so will their bellies!
5. Help someone get ready in the morning to make their day easier. Put together their lunch or breakfast. Get the car started so it’s warm or offer to clean up.
6. Open the door for someone, buy them coffee, or let them get in front of you in line. Tell them to have a wonderful day and mean it.
7. Compliment someone. Let them know you like their outfit, hair, shoes, whatever. Lift people’s spirits by letting them know they look good today.
8. Offer a helping hand. Maybe help a mom/dad out by watching their kids or pet so they can have alone time, or finish their to-do list. It doesn’t have to be a whole day, just a few hours.
9. Meet a need. People are struggling and even a small act of kindness like helping to carry groceries in, giving their car battery a jump, etc. can make someone’s day. If you can meet the need, meet it!
10. Be a listening ear. People feel they have to put on a happy face for the world. Let them be vulnerable with you without judgment. Let them know you’re there to listen and not give input, just a friendly shoulder to cry on.
These are just some ideas. With all of the negative news in the world, everyone can use an act of kindness these days. If you want to see a ray of hope, then be that hope for someone else and you will find it shine brighter in your own life. My challenge to you is to find as many people to show kindness to from now until Valentine’s Day (and even beyond!). I will be taking my own advice and using some of these tips for myself to do towards the people I love in my own life.
Do you have any other ideas for me? I would love to hear them so I can try and incorporate them myself! In the meantime I hope your Valentine’s Day, and EVERY day is filled with love, hope, and kindness.