Make Every Day Valentine’s Day (Valentine’s Day can be celebrated on February 14)

Valentine’s Day can be celebrated on February 14, but there are many special little things we can do to show our family and friends who are loved throughout the year.

The fact that the calendar says we have to celebrate our love for people in our lives on February 14, does not mean that we are limited to Valentine’s Day.

Here are 5 ways you can show love to your friends and family (even after exchanging cards, candy and flowers):

• Send notes or handwritten cards to your children, spouse or partner, co-workers, neighbors, parents and any other person that is important to you. On the card, include one or two things that you admire about them. The snail mail is almost an art lost these days. With emails, text messages and social networks, we forget how much fun it is to receive a letter by mail. Spend some time on a quiet winter day to write a few meaningful cards and then mail them. What an uplifting lift for your child to receive a note from his mom telling him how much he admires his hard work at school throughout the year; or a card to your neighbor for being there to take the children out of the bus when you are not at home.
• Volunteer to do one of your child’s or spouse’s homework during the week. Maybe your daughter runs home from school every day to walk the dog or your partner is the one who always helps with the child’s homework instead of watching the news. Give your family member an unexpected break for a week and take on one of his tasks so he can give them a “little time“. As you do so, be grateful for them and use this time to notice the unique things about them that are special to you.
• Pick up your favorite treat for no particular reason. It is nice to be surprised with one of our favorite sweets or other comfort foods “just because”. If you do not have cookies or cupcakes in the house during the average school week, surprise your family with an unexpected gift for dessert or a snack after school. And when they ask what the occasion is, they can simply say “Because I love you!”
• Reach and touch someone. Yes, I know it’s a cliché, but the fact is that most people respond positively to touch. However, when we are busy, we forget to touch our most important people. When you sit down with your partner, take your hand; When you walk with one of your children, put your arm around your shoulders. Give hugs after breakfast or before homework time to send an important message: you mean the world!
• Use your words It is very easy to take for granted the words “I love you” or “You are important to me”. When we do not say them very often, it may feel uncomfortable to verbalize these feelings. That is when it is even more important to stop what you are doing and let the important people in your life know, in a loud voice, that you need them and appreciate them.