Minimalist Valentine's Day ideas

Valentine’s Day is, in my opinion, one of the most commercialized holidays. It’s painful for people who are single. And even if you have a partner, you’re bombarded with ads saying you need to show your love with diamonds or a pre-printed card. Yuck.

But for many people, there’s the expectation that gifts should be exchanged, and there are ways to show your love without creating a lot of unnecessary waste (or breaking the bank).

Consumables are a great Valentine’s Day gift. If you’re giving candy, look for bars wrapped in recyclable foil and paper, not plastic. Skip the boxes of sampler candies that look nice but create a lot of trash (and who likes all those flavors?). Or you can bake a dessert, such as cookies or brownies, to share.

Flowers are a classic gift for a partner. Choose simple, thoughtful arrangements from a local florist, and ask if you can skip the plastic and have them wrapped in paper instead. If you can, compost the flowers once they’ve wilted.

If you’re giving jewelry, opt for vintage. It’s much more affordable than new pieces, and you can find really classic looks that aren’t available new. Etsy is a great place to look for vintage jewelry.

Finally, a handwritten card or letter is meaningful and personal, and it’s more likely to be saved and treasured than a pre-printed card.

Photo by Mira Bozhko on Unsplash

How to recharge after the holidays

The winter holidays often leave me drained. The stress of having to clean, shop and prepare gifts, and then socialize for days and days at a time--it feels more like work than being at work!

Or maybe you've been alone for the holidays, and are craving some interaction. Here are a few ideas that may be helpful.

Practice mindfulness
Take a few minutes to sit down, take a few deep breaths, and relax. Let go of all your expectations; nothing goes exactly the way we planned, and that's okay! Let the stress of the holidays go.

Call an old friend
Is there someone you haven't seen for awhile and you find yourself saying, "I should call so-and-so?" Do it now and catch up.

Volunteer
If you don't have any family to visit and are feeling lonely, try volunteering. Food banks and animal shelters need volunteers year-round, too. Call up local senior centers and ask if they need volunteers; it can make a huge difference to someone.

Journal
If you've just been through a lot, write down your experiences so you can process it all later. It can help you remember good times (or remind you later of what to avoid).

Take a break.
If you have children, ask if loved ones can babysit to give yourself a few hours to relax. Or block off some "me time" where nothing is scheduled. Send visitors out to eat or to an activity if you need space. Or visit a cafe by yourself for some quiet time.

Do an activity you love
For me, that's seeing a movie or reading a book.

Avoid malls and department stores
In the week after Christmas, there will be long lines of people making returns or spending gift cards. If you're already overwhelmed by the holidays, skip the stress and wait until the crowds calm down.

Photo by Matus Hatala on Unsplash