Valentine's Day: Real or Ridiculous

Here’s what I like about Hallmark Holidays:  a given day to appreciate something important.  Here’s what I don’t like about them:  the emphasis on pricey gifts.

Valentine’s Day is a perfect example.  It’s a day to appreciate the love around you and to let someone(s) know they are valued.  Yet, when I caught a corner of the Early Show on CBS a few days ago, a guest was talking about one-up-ing the tradition of flowers & chocolate and buying a laptop for your Valentine.  They’re website today is featuring Valentine splurges or steals (flowers for $700?).  I’m sure I’m not the only one who finds that a little ridiculous.  (no offense, CBS, home of OPRAH—-my dream Snap Stories endorsement!)

I took my frustration and flipped it around to pitch some easy-affordable-thoughtful Valentine’s Day ideas to Great Day St. Louis (a local CBS version of the Early Show).  I think they are going to feature the ideas tomorrow, Friday the 12th, so tune in 10-11am on channel 4 if you can.  The broad strokes of my ideas involve photos (huge surprise, I know :)

• Print out 5-10 photos of your Valentine. The night before Valentine’s Day hide them in places they will be discovered throughout the day by your Valentine, like on the bathroom mirror, on the milk in the fridge, in their coffee mug, on the dashboard of the car, taped to their cell phone, etc.
• Write sweet, silly, or sarcastic (ex:  Yes, I STILL love you) notes and do the same hiding thing.
• Make a small photo album or a One Big Adventure Snap Story for your sweetie; see one of the page spreads above.  It’s a great way to remember the fun you have together.
• When you give a gift (flowers, chocolates, jewelry, a laptop [!!], or whatever) PLEASE be sure to give a card.  Take the time to write WHY you love someone or WHAT SPECIFICALLY you appreciate about them.  This is the one day to really express that feeling.

The thoughtfulness and care it takes to hide the photos or notes will bring happiness, joy, and child-like FUN to your Valentine the WHOLE day.  If you’re in St. Louis, you can stop by Cassie’s in the CWE to get a strip of FREE [vintage Acts of Kindness] stickers to hide for your sweetie.  (This way you don’t even have to think up the messages, they are already written for him, for her, and for romance.  A few are kind of racy and they can be altered for lots of fun!)

What do I want to GIVE my Valentine this year?  The satisfaction (and picture-proof) that who he is makes me happy and proud to be married to him.  What do I want to GET from my Valentine this year?  A laptop.

Kidding! 

Happy Heart Day,