ShareThisThe sentiment behind Valentine's Day is lovely -- to remind the important people in your life that they are cherished. But when you're hurtling through life, slowing down long enough to figure out how to make your loved ones feel truly appreciated on Feb. 14 can be difficult.
Have you ever woken up on that day with nothing to give your significant other? You get annoyed that the holiday sneaked up on you; that you can't just ignore the day; and that last-minute flowers and chocolate are so expensive and unoriginal. When you're caught in that trap, it's easy to blame the "commercialization" of the day for your woes.
But you don't have to spend anything to make the people in your life feel loved. All it takes is a little planning and organization. Take a few minutes this week to plan and execute a truly meaningful Valentine's exchange.
Sarah on "It's the Message That Counts":
How do you feel when someone you love recognizes you? I mean really takes time to let you know how much they love you. It feels wonderful, right? Why not make this Valentine's Day all about doing that for the special people in your life? Schedule some time early this week to use your computer or to grab a pencil and pad of paper and write down the things that you love about these people. What makes them special to you? Why are you lucky to have them in your life? Once you've done that, brainstorm how to best communicate these sentiments. Schedule time during the remainder of the week to bring those ideas to life. You'll wake up on Feb. 14, ready!
Alicia on "Don't Get Caught in the Spontaneity Trap":
During the frenzy of our lives, the acts of writing things down and taking a moment to plan things out may seem wasteful, even inefficient. But really, it's the best thing you can do to avoid the stress that comes with being unprepared. You may try to wing it, but when you live your life that way, you tend to get caught up in the now. The next thing you know, it's Valentine's Day and you have nothing.
Here are three things you can do this week to make your valentine feel loved.
1. Plan a scavenger hunt. For all you men who are looking to do a little something different this year, try this recipe for an amazing gift. Start with a card letting your beloved know you're sending her on a Valentine's Day scavenger hunt. The objective? Finding the most beautiful object in the world. Sprinkle some fun items around the house, but ultimately direct her to a mirror, where she will see that she is the most beautiful person in the world. For an extra touch of flair, draw a heart on the mirror with lipstick.
2. Make a little book of love. You can either make your own book out of something like a deck of cards, or buy a little notebook. Then write down 25, 50 or even 100 things you love about your significant other (or mom, dad, sibling, grandparent, etc.). For ideas on execution, check out this blog: http://transcraftinental.blogspot.com/2008/02/valentine-gift-idea-little....
3. Music from the heart. There's nothing like music to capture the feelings of love. Why not make a little music mix, on iTunes or even on a CD or tape. Start with a theme that is meaningful to you and the person you will be giving this to. Picking the songs will then be a piece of cake.
(The writers are co-founders of Buttoned Up, a company dedicated to helping stressed women get organized. Send ideas and questions to yourlife(at)getbuttonedup.com. For more columns, go to scrippsnews.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
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