5 Valentine's Day Ideas That Last All Year

I hope you have already made plans for dinner, flowers, chocolate, or nice gift before this article comes out. If not, there is nothing I can do here to save you. These tips might help, but I can’t guarantee it. You can use them today, and throughout the year to keep your relationship running smooth. But if you haven’t already planned something a little extra for today, you might want to consider something bigger than a box of chocolates – maybe a relationship coach or marital therapist.


Here are 5 quick and easy tips to make your ‘sweetie’ smile today, and keep her or him happy throughout the year.

- Listen. Not just with your ears, but with all of you – your eyes, your body, your mind. That means making eye contact and looking at the person speaking to you – which is not quite possible with the tv on. It also means acknowledging that you are hearing the person – not interrupting, but nodding or acknowledging in some way. When you listen with your mind, it means you are paying attention, whole-heartedly, to what the other person is say. Too often, we have a tendency to be thinking about what we are going to say next, and miss the meaning of what we should be hearing.

- Speak – offer kind words or words of encouragement. Let your significant other know you care – this also works well with children, too. You can set a goal starting today to say at least one kind thing, or make one compliment each day for one month.’

- Spend quality time together – hopefully, spring is near. Even if it is not, there are plenty of things you can do to spend quality time together with your Valentine or with your children. During the cold months, indoor activities like movie night, and game time are great to spend time together. As it warms up, get out and go for a walk, a hike, or a bike ride.

- Gifts – gifts are always nice – chocolates, flowers, toys, etc - but they don’t always have to be something you pick up at the local store. Gifts, meaningful gifts, come in all forms – time spent can be a wonderful gift; engaging in an activity of the other persons choice can be more meaningful that a trinket, or making something by hand – yes, Guys, even we can do that- might be more valuable and lasting than anything you can find at Walmart.

- Commit an act of service, on purpose – take the kids out for the day and give her time to herself; take the car in to have the oil changed so he doesn’t have to do it; finish that project that has been sitting around for weeks; make the coffee; clean the bathroom; wash the car; do the laundry. The list goes on – I’m guessing you don’t have to look very hard. The important thing is to do them often – little acts of service are great opportunities to tell your ‘sweetie’ “I love you”.



There you have it – 5 very easy, very doable ways to tell your special someone you care – if you didn’t already pick up something special for Valentine’s Day, maybe pour on all of these, all at once. But even after today, pick one each week and give it a try.

I’m going to go do the dishes now…