Don’t Boycott Valentine’s Day

By Guest Bloggers, Jenny D. & Allison

If you’re like us, you feel Valentine’s Day is overrated – let’s face it, your significant other gets pressured into recognizing your love by paying too much money for flowers or chocolates. All of the restaurants you’d want to go to are packed and usually have overpriced, holiday menus. Then to top it off you probably either purchased or considered purchasing a swanky bed time outfit to really top off the night. And, there is a good chance that you will fall asleep before you can even pull it out of the drawer (or take the tags off). All said, by the end of the day – no matter what you do it all can seem a bit forced.

Let’s take a stand and turn Valentine’s Day into a day to take notice of everyone in our lives who we love – our spouses, children, parents, friends…maybe even our mail man who knows where you like him/her to put your packages. I don’t think Valentine’s Day should be just for the romantics of the world. Let’s make it about more than just cards, candy and flowers. I think it should be a day to celebrate everyone you love.

This year we plan to give our husbands, family and friends Valentine’s Coupons to be cashed in throughout the year. The coupons may include:
– free baby sitting for a friend to cash in last minute
– a night out with the boys for your husband…(warning: sometimes you may regret a specific coupon when he actually cashes it in)
– a day of cleaning service from you for your mother who gets caught up in having strangers clean her house
– a “pick-up-dinner” night for your parents who may just need a night off from their routine
– a $5 starbucks gift card for your mail man/woman who spends every day battling the cold weather

The idea could be anything that helps break the norm from your loved one’s regular routine. Don’t cheat and feel the need to add an expiration date or any rules. These gifts are meant to have no strings attached. Have fun with it and be selfless – the feeling of giving your time is priceless and when the gift is redeemed you will feel good about being able to help make someone’s day a little brighter. So, start brainstorming and give those who you love something more creative or memorable and it has the nice side benefit of creating a memory that will last longer than one day.

Let us know about your creative Valentines you have given!