Today is Valentine's Day

So Happy Commercialized Valentine's Day!


While we all know the bloody truth about what actually happened, let's rejoice in the exchanging of petty gifts like flowers, chocolate and ugly stuffed animals that toddlers in China sewed for you to give to your lover or whatever.


But let's not get all historical here. Today is a day of fun and celebration. I thought it would be neat to share some ideas of things you can do as a couple or something you can do as a single person with friends, assuming you have friends. If you don't, why not buy a really cheap stuffed animal and give it a name. Everybody wins! How PC...


1) Date Jar


Things you'll need:


2 Mason Jars, People, Pen, Creativity


A date jar can be for lovers, family, friends, or even random things you feel like doing. You and whoever else is with you will write "date ideas" (you can substitute this for other things you'd like to do). You can make 365 of them so that you have enough ideas for a full year OR you could just make 52 (one for each week) or whatever floats your boat. Once you've written down your ideas, you throw them in a jar. I think that mason jars are perfect for this kind of decoration/sentiment because they're all over the place, they're not bulky, and they can accentuate your house decor instantly.


Now - when you're sitting on the couch and you think to yourself "I'm board af right now" you can glance over at your mason jar of fun and pull out a paper and now you and your lover, family, or friends, or stuffed animal, can do what is on your paper.


Bonus idea: If you decide to go on your "date" when you come home, grab another mason jar and some more paper and write down what the date was, what you did, and if you had fun (your partner(s) should do the same thing) and then you all can throw that into the new jar. Then at the end of that year on New Years Eve, you can sit around and open the jar and read each others comments/memories.


2) Message Cookies


Things you'll need:

Home made or store bought cookies, Icing, Edible Icing Gel, People, The ability to write


Everybody loves something good to snack on. Let's be honest though, conversation hearts taste like antacid tablets for heart burn and chalk had babies. So let's make  those cute messages into something that is actually delicious. This idea is very simple. If you enjoy baking then your first step is to make cookies. If you suck at cooking your first step is to go to the store and buy some cookies. You will then take some icing and ice the cookies. After the icing has set you can take your edible icing gel and write cute little messages or pictures onto the cookies.


I suggest simple messages like I <3 U, KISS, HUG, BE MINE, etc...


Bonus idea: You can even make emoji conversations but that will require a lot more effort/detail/icing than just simple messages. If you go through that extra effort though, I bet they would look AMAZING!


After they're done you can serve them on a plate and enjoy.


3) Snapchat E-Cards


Things you'll need:

Phone, Snapchat App


So for most holidays and events a traditional gesture is to buy a sentimental card, write a cute message or sign your name, and give it to your special someone's. However, cards are very generic and expensive and it's 2016 so ain't nobody got time fo' dat. So my idea is that you would make a message card via selfie or video on Snapchat. Snapchat has super cute filters and tools and you can make your Snaps look awesome for only a few seconds. You can send personalized Snaps to each person you wish to Snapchat with and you didn't have to spend a penny or go out of your way to show some love. 

 

4) Lottery Tickets!


Things you'll need:

Money, Scratch Cards


Everyone loves money, if you say you don't, you're lying. You might not lust over it as much as others, but everyone wants money and needs it to some degree. If you can't afford the cheap chocolate and over priced plush toys this Valentine's season, then make it rain on the lottery train and buy some scratchies for your loved ones.


Your first step is to go somewhere that sells scratch cards. 99% of the time they will sell Valentine's themed scratch cards so if they're available and in your price range, buy em up! If not, then pick any others that float your boat. Now when you go to see your special someone, family, or friends, you can hand them a scratch card and here's where it gets fun. Your friend will either strike gold and have some money to spend or you will have the satisfaction of watching disappointment envelop their face. It's a win win situation right?


5) Save Money Get Candy


Things you'll need:

Money (but less of it)


So after the masses have burned holes in their wallets to present exaggerated affection to their lovers the excess bulk product usually gets reduced either the same day or shortly after. If you're smart like me, you use your brain and wait for the candy to be 50% off before buying it. I would say wait for 75% off but usually the good stuff is gone by then, so 50% is your safe zone to get the good candy without paying a fortune. So parade around your nearest stores and hoard the items your sweet tooth desires. Now you can sit and watch some netflix and eat some candy knowing that the rest of the world paid full price for your 50% delicious candy.


Bonus Idea: If you want to be an over-achiever you can scatter your candy around the bed and snap a selfie  with a caption saying "bae knows how to spoil me" or something. Just make sure a mirror or reflection doesn't turn your deception into an internet fail. We won't let you live it down. 


 Well, these were my Valentine's Day ideas for people who are in love or just wanna spend time with friends. While it might seem perfect to have someone to hug and hold on this day, it also comes with the stress of having to go through extra effort of showing your love and care for that person. Personally, my bf and I don't participate in Valentine's Day. We just treat it like any other day. I don't like the whole flowers and teddy bear thing. I do love chocolate, but not that crappy Russell Stover factory crap. If I get chocolate, it's gotta be that European good stuff. Mmmh.


But anyways, people assume that if they don't have a lover to share the day with, that the holiday is worthless to them. That's not true at all! You can celebrate with family or friends and I guarantee that you'll have just as much fun.