If Valentine’s Day only reminds you of cards, chocolate, and roses, you may have missed the point. I know a lot of people really don’t like Valentine’s Day because they see it as an over-commercialized holiday to sell “stuff”.  Personally, I like Valentine’s Day. It’s not because I like cheesy holidays, even though that’s definitely true. It’s because I like any day that gives us a reason to celebrate and give gifts to our family or others. It’s the perfect day to show your love, gratitude, and appreciation for everyone in your life.

I encourage you to keep giving those cards, chocolates, and roses. My favorites are those cherry, jelly heart candies. Yum! But if you would really like to put more thought into your Valentine’s Day gifts and make them more meaningful, I’ve got some ideas to get you started. Some of these could be for your spouse or your kids, and some are for other people that you’d like to show your appreciation for.

 

MEANINGFUL VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT IDEAS

The Gift Of Time

1. Take your family on a special outing or event. The possibilities are endless. Look for something unique in your hometown.
2. Have a special date nite with your spouse. You can even make it special for your kids by leaving them some fun Valentine treats.
3. Stay in for a family fun nite. Watch a fun movie together and have snacks. Those cute, sentimental dog stories would be perfect for this.
4. Visit other people in your extended family who don’t have anyone to spend the day with. This could even be a quick “stop by” visit with a small gift to cheer them up.
5. Visit neighbors who don’t have anyone. Valentine’s Day can be a sad reminder for people who are alone. Drop by with flowers or candy.
6. Make Valentine’s Day a day that you’ll commit to getting involved in a ministry at your church. Service is a great way to show your love for others.
7. Help with an activity at your church, if there is one. If not today, sign up for one in the near future.
8. Make this a day that you find a volunteer opportunity in your community. 
9. Volunteer as a family by visiting a nursing home. Take your kids for just an hour or so in the evening. 
10. Help your kids make something to take to the local fire station. It could even be a handmade card showing their appreciation.

 

Gifts and Treats

1. Traditional Valentine’s Day candy
2. Valentines’s cards
3. Special breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Get creative and cut things into heart shapes. You could easily do this with pancakes, sandwiches, or make individual pizzas in heart shapes.
4. Special desserts such as decorated cookies, cakes, or chocolate desserts
5. Healthy treats such as dark chocolate covered strawberries or fresh fruit cut into heart shapes
6. Gift certificates
7. Small gifts that pertain to somebody’s hobby
8. Lotions, jewelry, candles
9. Heart- health gifts such as fitness monitors
10. Roses or other flowers

As you can see, the possibilities are endless. You don’t have to stick to the same traditional Valentine’s Day gifts. Get creative! More than anything, think of those people in your life and give them what would mean the most to them. For most people, they would probably appreciate some of your time and maybe a small gift thrown in for fun.

I hope this gets you thinking about some ways you can show love and appreciation this coming Valentine’s Day. Please let me know your funny or sentimental Valentine’s Day stories in the comments below. I would love to hear them! If any of you get engaged this Valentine’s Day, let us know how he proposed. Then head over to read my Wedding Planning Checklist.

Till next time, have a wonderful, meaningful Valentine’s Day!