Tips on How to Tap into Your Creativity to Have A Truly Memorable Valentine
Another Valentine’s Day is upon us! One day out of the 365 days in the year when we can show and prove our love to our significant other (or others if you know what I mean). In case they were in doubt before the day, they get to be reassured that the flames of love still burn deeply. For those passionate about marking the day, a lot of time and effort goes into curating the perfect experience. Nothing must be spared to demonstrate the authenticity and permanence of love.
And what is Valentine’s Day without gifts? On a normal, economy-booming day, you would have probably bought jewellery, flowers, perfumes, scented candles, chocolates, cake, and maybe a big teddy bear (I still don’t understand the teddy though). You would have booked a table at an upscale restaurant and pulled a few stunts to beat the usual maddening traffic common with this day of love. Valentine’s Day is all about showing your love and nothing would have been too much to let your loved one know they are loved.
Considering how challenging things have been in the country lately, one would have thought that Valentine’s Day would have been cancelled in these parts. Who still has money to buy flowers, a box of chocolates, or even dinner at a fancy restaurant? Have you seen the price of a bag of rice, a litre of petrol, or even a kilowatt hour of Band A electricity? Meanwhile, retailers are carrying on as though we are in an economic boom. The cost of some of the gift packs and hampers I have seen will make some people question themselves: is this too much for my love or can I squeeze myself small and pay for it?
We don’t complain though: with God, all things are possible, right? Our sufficiency is from above and we can afford all things by God’s grace. However, I know some people’s faith is still growing and cannot carry them far. For these people, I have come bearing hope and creative ideas to help them experience a love-filled and inexpensive Valentine’s Day so that their significant other (or others) can feel loved at least one day in the year.
First things first, let’s discuss the gifts. What can you give that communicates thoughtfulness without coming across as cheap? This is the time to put your thinking cap on. What does your beloved like? Gold? No, not that, you have established that is beyond your budget. What else? Think of something simple and relevant. What about a heartfelt love note? If you have no creative juices flowing through your veins, you can beg ChatGPT to craft a love letter but don’t copy and paste, edit it to make it more personal. You can then buy embossed paper, preferably in a colour other than white (ivory, blue, pink, or purple maybe) and then print your love letter on it. Fold the paper into a scroll and tie it with a ribbon, voila! You could also spray some perfume on the letter so it smells nice. Another option is to have the letter framed. Thanks, you’re welcome.
But a love letter may not be enough so what else can you do? How about creating an album filled with prints of some of your shared moments together? Chances are you have many of those pictures saved on your phone, probably never been posted on social media, and definitely never printed out. Buy one of those fancy albums from a gift shop, select some pictures, print them out, and then stick them in the album. You could also write an accompanying note for each picture sharing a memory of that moment and place them beside each image. Again, thanks, you’re welcome.
The love letter and the personalised album, have I stirred your creative juices yet? These are simple expressions of love that won’t break the bank. I am sure you can think of some others. Now, let’s talk about experiences. Since you will most likely not be going out for dinner, you will have to make do at home. You have two choices: order something from a caterer or food delivery app, or cook something special. If you order food, you save yourself some stress but if you make the food together, it will also help you bond on this day of love. Chai, sense will not finish me o! You know what, just cook together. Together o, not that one will cook and the other will taste or wash the dishes, cook together, clean together! Doesn’t this sound so romantic? You won’t know if you don’t try it though.
While you’re at it, make it a full production at home. Set the table, light the candles, and stream some love songs from your favourite streaming app. Kids at home? Send them off to bed early, this is adult time. What to wear? None of your regular clothes will do. Dig deep into your closet and pull out that “bottom box” outfit. You’ve had it since and only worn it once, yes that one. Wear it. This is that special day you have been reserving it for.
And perhaps you’re all alone this Valentine, fret not, who says you can’t also have a great time? Get a few of your single friends together and organise a hangout. Everyone can bring a dish or a bottle. You can all spend time gisting, playing games, and hopefully not lamenting your singleness. But if you want to spend time alone, remember you are your own date. Take care of yourself. Order something to eat that won’t break. Rewatch that cheesy romantic movie that always gets you in your feelings but doesn’t dissolve into a pool of tears.
Valentine’s Day will come and go but opportunities to show love will always remain. Who says Val’s Day has to be only about romance or that love must only be celebrated once a year? Let’s use this day and all other days to also show love to others. You may not have money to celebrate Valentine’s Day but there is someone somewhere who is struggling with life. You can be their Valentine. This is the way I see things today.Photo credit