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Home » Recipes » Seasonal » Celebrations » Celebrating Valentine's

Celebrating Valentine’s Day: 25 Ways to Say, I love you.

Published February 8, 2011. Last updated February 15, 2020 by Judy Purcell 4 Comments

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Couple sitting on counter with man opening gift for Valentine's Day

We love celebrating Valentine’s Day simply because we love, love.

Don’t let comparison or unrealistic expectations ruin an opportunity to express love to those you love, romantic or not.

In a conversation with a 20-something friend, the topic of Valentine’s Day came up. Her sentiments closely resembled those of many of the young people I talk to—Valentine’s Day is a Hallmark holiday, NBD (no big deal). 

I agreed with her that it’s certainly not a necessary holiday for the dating world; if anything it creates more anxiety as pressure builds to have a relationship defining moment.

Close up of pink hearts sprinkled on chocolate truffles for Valentine's Day

Celebrating love is always a good idea.

For those who have been married for a while, Valentine’s Day can be a reminder to focus some romantic attention on our relationship. The cares of life, demands of parenting, career, or financial pressures often crowd out romantic rendezvous, pushing it to the back burner for too long.

I think we would all enjoy it more if we let it be a reminder and not a mandate.

Keeping love alive requires intentionality, Hallmark or not, this particular holiday just makes it easier as specialty chocolate and novelties abound. Even still, some avoid it because of the pressure or disappointment when it does not live up to the commercial hype. 

Couple sitting on counter with man opening gift for Valentine's Day

Our attitude toward celebrating really makes a difference.

I like the perspective of another friend who gets a heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murphy’s and makes a Valentine goodie bag. It is a fun day celebrating love. 

She says, “Just like I celebrate Christ daily but Christmas is still full of special traditions.”  Of course, you wouldn’t try to make up for an entire year of romantic neglect in just one day—this is one day you get to kick it up a notch from the ordinary. 

The point is, don’t let comparison or unrealistic expectations ruin an opportunity to express love to those you love, romantic or not.

In the book, The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, he offers insight into what actually makes others feel loved. This can help take the guesswork out of what to do on a special day, or any day! 

Knowing whether it is words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, or physical touch that really speaks to the heart of those we love can make a real difference.

Chefs Table set up in a kitchen for dinner for two with a wine bottle and candies.

25 ways to slip in an extra “I love you” into their day.

  1. A note specifically identifying something you love about them
  2. A single flower in their car, on their pillow, with their lunch, etc.
  3. A handwritten Valentine card or poem
  4. Preparing their favorite meal, romantic dinner, or breakfast in bed
  5. Get out the linens, crystal, and china for dinner
  6. Choose a romantic line from a movie or book to text them
  7. Get tickets to see their favorite band or play
  8. Clean the kitchen before they get home from work
  9. Draw a bath to share
  10. Read old, saved Valentine or anniversary cards to each other
  11. Buy massage oil and make plans to use it
  12. Spread a blanket in front of the fireplace for dinner or dessert
  13. Light candles in the bedroom and place chocolates on your pillows
  14. Pray a blessing over them before they leave for work
  15. Leave a love note where you know they will find it
  16. Surprise them with an activity you don’t normally do
  17. Take care of something that would allow them to sleep in
  18. Create a playlist of their favorite songs
  19. Dance with them in the kitchen
  20. Ask them to share their dreams
  21. Listen
  22. Write your love story and read it to them
  23. Make a YouTube playlist you think they’d like
  24. Surprise them with their favorite hot or cold beverage at work
  25. Get their car washed
Grilled steak tenderloin topped with shrimp scampi and served with a garden salad.

Romantic Dinner Ideas for Valentine’s Day

60 Romantic Date Night Dinner Recipes
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60 Date Night Dinner Recipes
10 Valentine’s Day Dessert Ideas to WOW your Sweetheart!
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Chocolate truffles on a white place with bowls of coatings beside it.

Our “Chef’s Table”

Sometimes we celebrate Valentine’s Day by choosing a special meal to cook together (read more about that here) and to make it more fun and intimate we also set up a chef’s table—a table for two right in the kitchen.

It doesn’t have to be in the kitchen if there’s no space for it, any special setting will work, even a tablecloth on the floor for a picnic in the living room.

Candles, linen, flowers, candies, wine glasses filled with whatever you like to drink, and a few heart-shaped chocolates communicate what you have together is special and worth celebrating. 

If need be, borrow items from friends or if you have kids, let them make decorations (they love helping mommy and daddy do special things).

Simplicity is a beautiful thing. The Reluctant Entertainer has more great ideas in a recent post, Six Steps to Setting a Classy Valentine’s Table Using What You Have!

Let your kids see you celebrate each other.

One final thought. If you have children (young or older), there is no greater gift you can give them than to set an example of love other and treating your marriage relationship like the treasure that it is.

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Filed Under: Celebrations, Marriage Tagged With: celebrating Valentines day

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  1. rsmacaalay says

    February 10, 2011 at 10:37 pm

    For me everyday is Valentines and Christmas day! Happy Valenties Day to you as well

    Reply
  2. Pati says

    February 8, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    Very sweet…something I hope to look forward to.

    Reply
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