February 14 – Valentine’s Day

Valentine Day is Today!

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FEATURED GIFT FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

The holiday has been celebrated for centuries, with many cultures marking similar holidays in the middle of winter as a way to remember the love shared by their ancestors.

Whether it’s a gift of candy, flowers, or Valentine Day cards, celebrating Valentine Day with those we love helps bring us joy and happiness. It’s also a good reminder to show kindness and appreciation to everyone in our lives who put so much effort into making each day enjoyable.

On Valentine’s Day, take some time out of your schedule to remind family members and special someone how much you love them.

HISTORY OF VALENTINE DAY AND VALENTINE DAY CARDS

The origin of Valentine’s Day is steeped in mystery, though some experts believe it dates back to ancient Rome. During this time, people would celebrate a festival known as Lupercalia on February 15th each year. As part of the festivities, men and women were paired up at random and the match was meant to last an entire year.

Over time, many of the customs surrounding Lupercalia changed and the Christian church declared that February 14th would be St. Valentine’s Day. This day marked the martyrdom of Saint Valentine, who was known for his deep love and devotion towards others. To commemorate his legacy today, we exchange roses, Valentine Day cards, and gifts on this day as tokens of our love for one another.

The tradition of sending Valentine’s Day cards has its roots in medieval Europe and gained prominence during the 18th and 19th centuries. Handwritten love notes became fashionable among the aristocracy in the 15th century, and as printing technology advanced, commercially produced cards emerged in the 18th century. Esther Howland, in the mid-19th century, played a pivotal role in mass-producing elaborate Valentine’s Day cards, contributing to their widespread commercialization.

Valentine Day cards evolved from intricate handmade expressions of affection to the diverse and readily available expressions of love we see today, incorporating various styles, sentiments, and even digital forms in the modern era. The history of sending Valentine’s Day cards is a fascinating journey reflecting changing cultural norms and technological advancements.

100 BEAUTIFUL AND LOVING THINGS TO DO and GIVE ON VALENTINE’S DAY

Valentine’s Day Comedy Show: Attend a Valentine’s Day comedy show or improv performance for a night of laughter and entertainment with your partner.
DIY Wine Tasting at Home: Host a DIY wine tasting at home with a selection of wines from different regions or varietals. Pair the wines with cheeses, chocolates, and other delicious treats for a romantic evening in.
Virtual Cooking Class: Take a virtual cooking class together and learn to make a special Valentine’s Day meal or dessert from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Valentine’s Day Book Exchange: Exchange books with your partner and spend the evening reading together by candlelight. Choose books that are meaningful to your relationship or explore new genres together.
DIY Spa Night: Create a DIY spa night at home with homemade face masks, massages, and relaxation techniques. Treat yourselves to a pampering session without leaving the comfort of home.
Couples’ Paint and Sip: Attend a couples’ paint and sip event where you can create artwork together while enjoying a glass of wine. Tap into your creative side and bond over brushstrokes and laughter.
Outdoor Adventure: Go on an outdoor adventure together such as hiking, biking, or exploring a nearby nature reserve. Enjoy quality time together while taking in the beauty of the great outdoors.
Progressive Dinner Date: Plan a progressive dinner date where you visit different restaurants for each course of the meal. Start with appetizers at one place, move to another for the main course, and finish with dessert at a third location.
DIY Craft Night: Have a DIY craft night at home where you can create Valentine’s Day-themed crafts together. Get creative with projects like handmade cards, love coupons, or personalized gifts for each other.
Home Movie Marathon: Set up a cozy movie marathon at home with a lineup of your favorite romantic films. Pop some popcorn, snuggle up on the couch, and enjoy a night of cinematic love stories.
Virtual Wine and Paint Party: Host a virtual wine and paint party with friends and family. Connect online and follow along with a painting tutorial while sipping on your favorite wines and sharing laughs.
Volunteer Together: Spend Valentine’s Day giving back to your community by volunteering together at a local charity or nonprofit organization. Make a positive impact while strengthening your bond as a couple.
Gourmet Cooking Challenge: Challenge each other to a gourmet cooking competition where you take turns creating extravagant dishes with limited ingredients or time. Get creative and see who can impress the other with their culinary skills.
Star Gazing Picnic: Pack a picnic basket with your favorite snacks and beverages, then head to a nearby park or open field for a romantic evening of star gazing. Bring a blanket and cozy up together as you admire the night sky.
Game Night Tournament: Host a game night tournament with a variety of board games, card games, or video games. Compete against each other in friendly competitions and see who comes out on top.
Photography Adventure: Go on a photography adventure together and explore new neighborhoods, parks, or landmarks while capturing memories with your camera or smartphone. Get creative with composition and lighting for unique Valentine’s Day snapshots.
Live Music Concert: Attend a live music concert or performance featuring your favorite artists or bands. Dance the night away and enjoy the thrill of live music in a vibrant atmosphere.
Themed Costume Party: Throw a themed costume party at home or at a local venue and dress up in costumes inspired by your favorite movies, eras, or characters. Get creative with your outfits and enjoy a night of fun and imagination.
Couples’ Yoga Class: Take a couples’ yoga class together and connect through movement, breath, and mindfulness. Strengthen your bond as you practice yoga poses and relaxation techniques side by side.
Adventure Challenge: Create an adventure challenge for each other with tasks or activities to complete throughout the day. From scavenger hunts to obstacle courses, challenge each other to try new experiences and have fun together.
Gardening Together: Spend the day gardening together, planting flowers, herbs, or vegetables in your backyard or balcony. Enjoy the therapeutic benefits of gardening while nurturing your relationship and creating a beautiful outdoor space.
Digital Memory Book: Create a digital memory book together filled with photos, videos, and mementos from your relationship. Reflect on your journey together and reminisce about your favorite memories as a couple.
DIY Wine and Cheese Pairing: Host a DIY wine and cheese pairing night at home where you can taste different combinations of wines and cheeses. Learn about flavor profiles and discover new favorites together.
Virtual Travel Experience: Take a virtual travel experience together and explore a destination you’ve always dreamed of visiting. From virtual museum tours to online cooking classes, immerse yourselves in the culture and cuisine of another country without leaving home.
Outdoor Movie Screening: Set up an outdoor movie screening in your backyard or a local park and invite friends and family to join you for a Valentine’s Day movie under the stars. Provide blankets, pillows, and popcorn for a cozy and memorable evening outdoors.
Customized Recipe Book: Compile a personalized recipe book featuring your partner’s favorite dishes, along with handwritten notes and memories associated with each recipe.
DIY Memory Jar: Decorate a glass jar and fill it with handwritten notes, love letters, and memories shared with your partner. They can open a note each day to feel cherished and appreciated.
Homemade Candle Set: Create a set of homemade candles using natural ingredients and essential oils. Customize the scents to match your partner’s preferences for a thoughtful and fragrant gift.
Handcrafted Jewelry: Design and make a piece of jewelry such as a necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings that reflects your partner’s style and personality. Use beads, charms, or precious stones for a unique touch.
Personalized Photo Album: Compile a photo album filled with pictures of special moments and adventures you’ve shared together. Add captions, doodles, and decorations to make it extra special.
DIY Spa Kit: Put together a DIY spa kit with homemade bath bombs, scrubs, and face masks. Include soothing scents and luxurious ingredients for a relaxing at-home spa experience.
Customized Puzzle: Create a personalized puzzle featuring a photo or image that holds sentimental value to your partner. Spend quality time together assembling the puzzle and reminiscing about cherished memories.
Handwritten Love Coupons: Craft a set of handmade love coupons redeemable for special treats and favors such as breakfast in bed, a movie night of their choice, or a romantic dinner cooked by you.
Homemade Sweets Basket: Bake a variety of homemade treats such as cookies, brownies, and truffles, and package them in a beautifully decorated basket or tin. Add a handwritten note expressing your love and appreciation.
DIY Terrarium: Build a miniature indoor garden in a glass terrarium filled with succulents, moss, and decorative stones. It’s a thoughtful and long-lasting gift that adds greenery to your partner’s space.
Customized Wall Art: Create a piece of personalized wall art featuring your partner’s favorite quote, song lyrics, or a meaningful message. Use various art mediums such as painting, drawing, or digital design.
Homemade Infused Olive Oil: Make infused olive oil using fresh herbs, spices, and citrus zest. Package it in decorative bottles and pair it with a crusty loaf of bread for a gourmet culinary gift.
DIY Love Potion Kit: Put together a love potion kit with ingredients and instructions for making romantic cocktails or mocktails. Include aphrodisiac ingredients and decorative glassware for a playful and fun gift.
Handcrafted Love Letters: Write a series of heartfelt love letters expressing your feelings and appreciation for your partner. Decorate the letters with doodles, sketches, and pressed flowers for a personal touch.
DIY Memory Box: Decorate a wooden box and fill it with mementos, souvenirs, and keepsakes from your relationship. Include ticket stubs, photos, and notes to create a treasure trove of memories.
Homemade Hot Sauce Kit: Create a DIY hot sauce kit with ingredients and recipes for making spicy sauces at home. Customize the heat level and flavor profile to suit your partner’s taste preferences.
Customized Playlist: Curate a personalized playlist of songs that hold special meaning to your relationship. Burn the songs onto a CD or create a digital playlist to surprise your partner with a soundtrack of your love.
Handcrafted Dreamcatcher: Make a dreamcatcher using feathers, beads, and twine to hang above your partner’s bed. It’s a symbol of protection and good dreams that adds a touch of bohemian charm to their space.
DIY Wine Cork Board: Collect wine corks and repurpose them into a decorative cork board. Arrange the corks in a pattern or shape and mount them on a wooden frame for a unique and practical gift.
Personalized Cookbook: Compile a personalized cookbook filled with your partner’s favorite recipes, family traditions, and culinary creations. Add photos, anecdotes, and cooking tips for a one-of-a-kind keepsake.
Homemade Bath Salts: Mix together Epsom salt, essential oils, and dried flowers to create aromatic bath salts. Package them in glass jars with decorative labels for a luxurious and relaxing bath experience.
DIY Memory Quilt: Create a memory quilt using fabric scraps from clothing items, blankets, and other textiles that hold sentimental value. Sew the pieces together to create a cozy and meaningful keepsake.
Customized Plant Pot: Paint and decorate a ceramic plant pot with your partner’s favorite colors, patterns, or motifs. Fill it with a low-maintenance plant such as a succulent or air plant for a gift that keeps on growing.
Handmade Love Bookmarks: Craft a set of handmade bookmarks featuring romantic quotes, illustrations, or photographs. Laminate them for durability and include them with a selection of your partner’s favorite books.
DIY Message in a Bottle: Write a heartfelt message or love letter and place it inside a decorative glass bottle
Personalized Whiskey Barrel: Gift him a small personalized whiskey barrel for aging his own spirits at home, adding a unique touch to his home bar.
Virtual Reality Headset: Surprise him with a virtual reality headset for immersive gaming experiences or exploring virtual worlds.
Customized Soundwave Art: Have a meaningful message or song converted into a visual soundwave and framed as a piece of art for his space.
Portable Espresso Maker: For the coffee enthusiast, consider a portable espresso maker that allows him to enjoy his favorite brew on the go.
Smartwatch with Fitness Tracking: Help him stay on top of his fitness goals with a smartwatch that tracks his activity, heart rate, and more.
DIY Hot Sauce Kit: Give him the tools to craft his own signature hot sauce with a DIY hot sauce kit complete with ingredients and instructions.
Personalized Leather Wallet: A high-quality leather wallet engraved with his initials or a special message adds a personal touch to a practical gift.
Beer Brewing Kit: For the beer lover, a beer brewing kit provides all the essentials for brewing his own craft beer at home.
Fishing Tackle Box Subscription: If he enjoys fishing, a subscription to a fishing tackle box service delivers new lures, baits, and gear to his door each month.
Wireless Charging Station: Keep his devices organized and charged with a sleek wireless charging station for his phone, smartwatch, and more.
Customized Star Map: Capture the night sky on a special date with a customized star map print depicting the constellations from that memorable night.
Home Brewing Kit: If he enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, a home brewing kit for making his own beer, cider, or kombucha could be a hit.
Engraved Pocket Knife: A durable pocket knife engraved with his name or a meaningful date is a practical and thoughtful gift for the outdoorsman.
Gourmet Food Subscription Box: Treat him to a gourmet food subscription box featuring artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, chocolates, or other gourmet treats.
Leather Dopp Kit: Upgrade his travel gear with a stylish leather dopp kit to keep his toiletries organized on trips and adventures.
Outdoor Hammock: Help him relax and unwind with an outdoor hammock for lounging in the backyard or on camping trips.
Bluetooth Beanie: Keep him warm and connected with a Bluetooth-enabled beanie that allows him to listen to music or take calls wirelessly.
Personalized BBQ Set: For the grill master, a personalized BBQ set with his name or monogram adds a special touch to his outdoor cooking adventures.
Coffee Roasting Kit: If he’s a coffee connoisseur, a coffee roasting kit lets him roast his own beans to perfection for the freshest brews.
Smart Home Device: Upgrade his home with a smart home device like a voice-controlled assistant or smart thermostat for added convenience and efficiency.
Sustainable Watch: Consider a stylish watch made from sustainable materials, such as reclaimed wood or recycled metals, for an eco-friendly accessory.
Cigar Sampler Pack: If he enjoys cigars, a sampler pack featuring a variety of premium cigars allows him to explore new flavors and brands.
DIY Beer Cap Map: Give him a fun way to display his favorite beers with a DIY beer cap map where he can collect and showcase bottle caps from different brews.
Portable Pizza Oven: For the pizza lover, a portable pizza oven lets him make authentic wood-fired pizzas at home or on outdoor adventures.
Advent Calendar with Experiences: Create an advent calendar filled with tickets or vouchers for unique experiences, such as brewery tours, cooking classes, or outdoor adventures, to enjoy together throughout the year.
Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt: Organize a Valentine’s Day-themed scavenger hunt around the house or neighborhood, with clues leading to hidden treats or surprises.
DIY Valentine’s Day Cards: Spend the day crafting homemade Valentine’s Day cards with colorful paper, stickers, and glitter, to give to friends and family.
Heart-Shaped Pancake Breakfast: Start the day with a special breakfast featuring heart-shaped pancakes, topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream, for a festive and delicious treat.
Valentine’s Day Cookie Decorating: Bake heart-shaped cookies and let the kids decorate them with icing, sprinkles, and edible decorations for a fun and creative activity.
Love Letter to Family Members: Encourage children to write love letters or create handmade artwork expressing their love and appreciation for family members, to share on Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day Movie Marathon: Set up a cozy movie marathon with a selection of Valentine’s Day-themed movies or animated favorites for a relaxing day at home.
Valentine’s Day Dance Party: Create a playlist of upbeat love songs and have a dance party in the living room, complete with colorful lights and homemade decorations.
Outdoor Nature Walk: Take a family nature walk in the park or forest, collecting heart-shaped leaves, rocks, and other natural treasures along the way.
DIY Heart-Shaped Bird Feeders: Make heart-shaped bird feeders using peanut butter, birdseed, and cookie cutters, then hang them in the garden to attract birds and wildlife.
Valentine’s Day Science Experiments: Conduct Valentine’s Day-themed science experiments at home, such as making erupting heart volcanoes or growing crystal hearts.
Homemade Heart-Shaped Pizza: Let the kids help make heart-shaped pizzas from scratch, with a variety of toppings to personalize their creations.
Valentine’s Day Storytime: Read Valentine’s Day-themed books together as a family, cuddled up under blankets with cups of hot cocoa for a cozy afternoon.
Valentine’s Day Card Delivery: Go on a neighborhood walk to deliver homemade Valentine’s Day cards to friends and neighbors, spreading love and kindness in the community.
Indoor Picnic Lunch: Set up an indoor picnic with a blanket and picnic basket filled with heart-shaped sandwiches, fruit skewers, and other picnic favorites.
Valentine’s Day Craft Workshop: Set up a craft station with supplies for making Valentine’s Day crafts such as friendship bracelets, paper flowers, or tissue paper heart garlands.
Baking Heart-Shaped Treats: Bake a variety of heart-shaped treats together, such as heart-shaped brownies, cupcakes, or mini pies, to enjoy as a family.
Valentine’s Day Photo Booth: Create a DIY photo booth with Valentine’s Day-themed props and backdrops for silly photo sessions and memorable family snapshots.
Love-themed Science Experiments: Conduct simple science experiments exploring themes of love and friendship, such as making heart-shaped slime or observing color-changing reactions.
Valentine’s Day Card Making Workshop: Host a card-making workshop where children can create handmade cards for classmates, teachers, and loved ones, using a variety of craft supplies.
Family Game Night: Have a family game night with board games, card games, or puzzles, for a fun and competitive evening of bonding and laughter.
Valentine’s Day Planting: Plant seeds or seedlings together in the garden, choosing flowers or herbs with symbolic meanings of love and friendship, to nurture and care for.
Valentine’s Day Storytelling Circle: Sit in a circle and take turns telling stories of love, kindness, and friendship, encouraging creativity and imagination.
Valentine’s Day Karaoke: Sing favorite love songs and karaoke tunes together as a family, using a karaoke machine or smartphone app for a musical celebration.
Family Yoga Session: Practice family yoga together, with gentle stretches, poses, and relaxation techniques, promoting mindfulness and well-being.
DIY Family Memory Book: Create a family memory book together, filled with photos, drawings, and written memories of special moments shared as a family, to cherish for years to come.