Valentine’s Day. You either love it or hate it. Actually, you might not really care either way. Cool indifference and all that jazz.
I’m definitely in the “love is year-round” camp and my feelings for my fiancé certainly don’t skyrocket to new levels on February 14 (impossible anyway, those heights don’t exist!) but on the other hand, I think life is an occasion, and when there’s fun to be had, I’m in.
I was asked by a friend on Twitter if I could pull together some Valentine’s Day inspiration, so to help her – and you – out, below are a few of my last-minute ideas and some fabulous free printables for the object of your affection.
And just so we’re clear, that object of your affection could very well be “you” or “your best friend.” Love holds no bounds!
Free Printables
I Heart You Printables from The Sweetest Occasion.
Love Sweet Love Printables from Miss Wyolene for The Sweetest Occasion.
Vintage Valentine Card from Two Brunettes for Ruffled.
Valentine Scrabble Gram Printable from Amanda Jane Jones for Oh Happy Day.
Inspiration & Ideas
Wall of Hearts
This Wall of Hearts is super simple but super effective.
DIY Love Capsule
So much happens in a year, and often, the days blur together and only the big events (birthdays! Christmas! European adventure!) stand out – which is why I’m proposing you spend this Valentine’s Day creating a time capsule with your love to document everything that’s happy and exciting about your love right now.
To ‘build’ the capsule, both of you need to gather a few of your favourite things – photos, ticket stubs, cards and love notes, a bottle of wine you love, lists, Polaroids, a CD of tunes that speak to you both – and tie some tags on to label each treasure. Put things like dates, why you both love the item and so on.
Next, grab some beautiful stationery and write your partner a letter, detailing all the things you adore about your life together and all the things you’re looking forward to in the future.
Make a commitment that every Valentine’s Day you will both add to your love capsules and then decide on a date you’ll open it up and read the letters to each other. It might be the day of your wedding, your five or 10 year anniversary, or you might save it until you’re old and grey if curiosity doesn’t get the better of you! Either way, it will be a special day when all your little keepsakes are pulled out and reminisced upon.
Lounge-Room ‘Glamping’
Grab as many blankets/ cushions/ throws as you can from around the house and fashion a makeshift tent in the loungeroom with some cord or rope.
Turn out all the lights and create a circle (or better yet, a heart!) out of candles, turn on some cruisy, romantic tunes and spend the night with your lover pretending you’re far away in some exotic location sharing your dreams and appreciating that beautiful love energy that flows between you both.
Of course, an evening of indoor ‘clamping’ (glam camping) wouldn’t be complete without some food and a great bottle of wine, so splash out on something special and whip up some easy-to-prepare-but-mega-delicious tapas platters, complemented with a selection of gourmet cheeses. Simple and divine.
Jar of Love
You can do this two ways:
1 // Put 365 (366 this year!) days worth of notes in a jar and ask your love to pull one out each morning to read. The notes could have affirmations, quotes or tips written on them and will guarantee that your lover starts every day with joy in their heart.
2 // Write a months’ worth of compliments on small pieces of paper and declare February the official month of lurrrve in your house. A compliment a day keeps the doldrums away!
DIY Brass Valentine
Why not give this gorgeous and stylish DIY from Camilla Styles a go?
Sweet Decorations
On the cheap and cheerful side, recreate this candy display and declare your love with sweets (I’d probably steer clear of chocolate on white bedspreads though).
Le Garden of Love
Well not really a ‘garden’ per se, but you can definitely draw inspiration from these little planters and fill small hessian sacks with succulents or herbs for your beloved. Planted with muchas love, of course.
And finally, on Valentine’s Day – and every day of the year – take heed of the wise words below and love extravagantly. It’s the only way!
(image via lola lina)
+ Are you a Valentine’s fan? What have you got planned? Any tips or creative ideas to share?
