Celebrating Valentine's Day without big gifts

It’s February and honestly, it’s a such blah month, which is why I think Valentine’s Day became so popular. Also, Hallmark. I could do a gift guide right about now, but didn’t we just have Christmas? Our little wish lists have been fulfilled for the next year or longer!

Simple thoughtful gestures or breaks in the normal routine are good for relationships. We get up, go to work, raise the children, make dinner and go to bed. The days, weeks and months can blur together. So thank goodness for a sappy day on the calendar to snap out of it, celebrate or get romantic with the people we care about.

Here are a few ideas to spread a little love instead of spending on ‘spency gifts. Some of them are a bit more effort and some of them don’t seem like a big deal at all. But if you put all of the dishes in the dishwasher when she’s not looking, she will notice.

Here are a few more…

Get up early and surprise him or her with donuts
Compliment something mundane that you notice about your partner, but never mention out loud.
Go out for a cup of coffee (if you usually make it at home)
Or brew a pot at home
Get his car washed and fill up the tank.
Do her share of chores for the day
Or take over the early wake up times with the kids
Ditch your phone for the day
Hand over the remote
Snuggle up on the same couch.
And watch something together, even if it’s not your usual choice…
While holding hands
Draw him or her a bath, make their favorite drink and get out of the way
Hide post it love notes in random places…
Like in the fridge
Or the diaper drawer
Or on her steering wheel
Or in the record player
Do a thirty second hug instead of a quick squeeze
Sit down with a pile of old magazines and make home made Valentine’s cards together

Do you have any fun traditions or other ideas you’d like to share? Join the conversation on my facebook page.

If anyone’s asking, my dream Valentine’s Day would be an easy and early bedtime for my son, a glass of really nice wine, dinner at home followed by chocolate lava cake, getting it on and then a solid 8 hours of sleep. Hashtag mom dreams.

Donuts! Valentine's Week, @whatiwore

WhatIWore: Valentine’s Day. Take it or leave it. Some of us savor a time of year to eat extra chocolates or write love notes, yet others feel like it’s been overly commercialized. No matter which camp you fall into, I think it’s a great time of year to break away from the winter blues by doing little things YOU love for YOURSELF. (Photo Source)

Here are some things I’m planning on doing this week, just because I like them!

Add a freshly baked donut to my normal breakfast routine (just one morning!)
Or maybe an almond croissant from the bakery across from my campus office?
Skip a night in front of the TV and replace with a soak in the tub.
Spend an hour or two finally using some of the fancy stationery I’ve bought in the past year to write love notes to my friends and family.
Bake a pie! My last one was in November! Maybe cherry chocolate?
Eat breakfast for dinner (it’s my favorite meal of the day and I never get sick of it)
Browse online for a new spring handbag. It might be too early to take the plunge, but looking never hurts!
Work ahead to have time for an afternoon nap, preferably with a tiny Raymond by my side.
Buy a few house plants. They’re great at filtering your indoor air and I could use a little green in my life (plus Valentine’s flowers are ridiculously overpriced… hope that doesn’t extend to greenery too?)
Most importantly, lots of quality time with my husband, who’s been away for the past week! I miss him like crazy and can’t wait for him to get home this afternoon!