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Not Loving Valentine’s Day? Consider This…

Not Loving Valentine's Day? Consider This...Sooo many posts have come through my feed lately about hating Valentine’s Day and I know there will be many more to come. I get it. You don’t have “someone special.” You don’t get what you wanted. You can’t afford to do anything. It’s just a “Hallmark holiday” and they want your money. You celebrate every day of the year, why should one day be so special? But do you know what I think? I think we are looking at this holiday all wrong.

I have mentioned in a previous post that Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays, but it has not always been. In fact, I was left out frequently on Valentine’s Day and left to celebrate on my own. It never felt like such a special day to me and all the gushy couples made me v…v…get sick (thank you LeapFrog lol.) Why didn’t I feel special? Why didn’t I have anyone?

Think about it. What do all those questions and excuses have in common? I. Me. They are all talking about you. Have you ever stopped and thought about that? Is this a day for me to feel special? What if it was a day to make others feel special?

That’s right. Times have changed. I have matured. I started putting others before myself. Yes, I may slip up sometimes. I mean, it sure is nice when people do things for me. When they go out of their way to make me feel special. But that is not the point. If I want the most satisfying Valentine’s Day, I will set out to make that day special for other people in my life.

Guess what.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to cost ANY MONEY.

IT CAN BE FREE.

My favorite things I have given and received for Valentine’s Day were handmade items with thought put into them or small items hand-picked with love. Trust me, I know what it’s like to not be able to afford much, but not everyone needs (or even wants) champagne, a dozen roses, a diamond necklace, and a ginormous box of chocolates. It may be nice. But most people will understand that this is not always realistic. DO something. MAKE something. SAY something that means more than any tangible item ever could.

You know what else? You don’t need someone special. Anyone can be special. Here are some ideas of people you can gift Valentine’s Day gifts to:

  • Your significant other
  • Your children
  • Your parents
  • Your extended relatives
  • Close friends
  • Neighbors
  • Acquaintances
  • Store employees working the holiday (where allowed)
  • Homeless people on the side of the road
  • Shelters, soup kitchens, etc.
  • Nursing homes, senior centers
  • Patients/staff at hospitals
  • Complete strangers you are just passing by
  • Add your own ideas (and let me know in the comments)!

If you don’t have someone special in your life, FIND someone special. It may be a little awkward and difficult to walk up to someone you don’t know and give them a Valentine’s Day gift, but make it a challenge for yourself. It doesn’t have to be something romantic or lovey dovey (actually, that might really make that situation awkward.) It can be something simple. A quote on a piece of paper. A few dollars. A rose or tulip. A card. A candy bar. A bottle of water. A smile, handshake, and “you are special.” 

Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.
-Booker T. Washington

Here is my challenge to you.

Have an “others” outlook on Valentine’s Day.

Make it a special for someone else. If you already do, add someone new to your giving list. Do this genuinely to see the joy in others’ eyes. To make a huge difference in their days, maybe even in their lives

PS. I had mentioned that many have said they celebrate year-round, and that’s great! Here is how I look at it though. While we should be celebrating love every day of every year, life gets in the way. Schedules are busy, we get into routines, and we just never feel extra special. My husband and I show each other daily that we love each other. We tell our kids daily. But we use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to set aside time to make that day just a little more special than usual for everyone. It can be small. It doesn’t have to be big.

One small act of love that’s out of the ordinary can make someone’s whole day extraordinary.

One Small Act of Love Quote ArtsCrackers.com.

LOVE = Unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1) :  the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2) :  brotherly concern for others.
-Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Not Loving Valentines Day Consider ThisKnow someone who could use this? Hit the “share” buttons below! Be sure to follow Arts & Crackers on social media (buttons at the top right of the page.)

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13 Comments

  1. This is so amazing! With love in general, we often forget how much of it is supposed to be selfless….

  2. What an amazing post and reminder to show those closest to us that we love them and to make a kind gesture to others to show them that they are important and matter!

  3. Love this post. Definitely sharing this one! We need to be reminded that love is not selfish. 🙂

  4. I love this approach!
    Here in Australia Valentines day is pretty much all about romantic love… and there is a HUGE emphasis on gifts like flowers and chocolates and it all about being coupled up… so it really does feel like a commercial holiday, and one that leaves a lot of people out. How I wish we could turn it around and make it into a day where we do something nice for someone else.. no matter who, no matter how.

    • It is hugely romantic love here in the US too, but I feel there is way too much emphasis on that. There are better ways to use this day to help and include others.

  5. This is a great perspective on bringing a different meaning to Valentine’s Day!!

  6. Thank you for this perspective. I have not been a fan of Valentine’s Day for many years because of a lot of reasons listed above & I feel that we have birthdays & anniversaries to show others that we care; but I really like your suggestion of kind gestures towards strangers/homeless/etc. Thanks!

    • Hi Tabitha,

      Thank you so much for your feedback! Each year, my boys love to get roses and hand them out to strangers. It is wonderful and brightens so many days! I’m glad it was able to give you a new perspective, and I hope your Valentine’s Day is very blessed!

  7. Pingback: Valentine's Day Random Acts of Kindness Idea for Kids

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