This month is all about celebrating love and friendship: it is the perfect time to shower your family and friends with gifts from the heart and gifts of your time.
February is the Month of Love & Friendship
Good morning friends. February is the Month of Love & Friendship. Typically, Valentine’s Day, the day that people go “all out” to shower their loved one with roses, chocolate, gifts and cards.Valentine’s Day is not a holiday that everyone enjoys or even celebrates and some even refer to it as a ‘Hallmark Holiday’, perhaps because it is synonymous with romantic love and grand gestures.
But I like to think of Valentine’s Day and the month of February as a time to celebrate ALL of the people in my life, including myself. What about you? Are you a “fan” of Valentine’s Day? Do you think if it as a Hallmark holiday?
February holidays and celebrations that spread love
There is a lot to celebrate this month:
- Valentine’s Day
- National Dark Chocolate Day and National Pizza Day
- International Friendship Day
- Random Acts of Kindness Day
- National Make a Friend Day
- Self-Love Day
- National Donors Day
- National Caregivers Day
- Black History Month
- International Day of Women and Girls in Science
- National Love Your Pet Day
- World Human Spirit Day, to name just a few things(see more here).
Who Should You Celebrate During the Month of Love and Friendship?
- Yourself
- Family
- Friends
- Strangers
How to Show Love During the Month of February
To Yourself
- Buy yourself flowers and jewelry, you deserve something beautiful just for you.
- Make time for self-love and self-care not only this month but all year long. Try a 30 Day Self-care challenge.
- Be sure to get enough rest, get your vitamin D by getting outside at least 20 minutes a day.
- Eat well and hydrate. Water is good for your skin, hair, organs and mind and during the winter our skin dries out because of the dry air, so we need to replenish it. If you do not think you are drinking enough water here are 5 easy ways to drink more.
- Relax, read, regroup.
- Treat yourself this month to some of the little things that make you happy; a bath with your favorite pampering products and a glass of wine while you soak away the cares of the day.
- A cup of coffee with a friend.
- Day of pampering at the spa.
- Meditate.
- Do yoga or pilates.
- A weekend streaming movies in your jammies and your favorite take-out meal.
- There are so many ways to show ourselves love, we just have to remember that we deserve to be loved and treated as well as we treat others.
- Last but not least, practice gratitude.
Family, Friends, Significant Other
- The most heartfelt gift that you can give your loved ones is your time, it is priceless.
- Go for a drive(this one of my favorite things to do with my mom), visit your old house or neighborhood and reminisce about the past.
- Plan an adventure with your kids, maybe a hike or a scavenger hunt.
- Have family game day or do a puzzle together.
- Bake or cook a favorite dessert or meal. Baking is my “love language” and if you receive a gift from me it is from my heart and from my kitchen. You could make these candy favors with your kids or if you are not a baker how about this fabulous candy and cookie board?
- Plant a garden or some pots of herbs or bulbs(if it’s too cold)with your kids or create a fairy garden.
- Make or send cards and letters by snail mail.
- Call friends and family, share a Zoom Valentine’s Day party if they are far away.
- Say “I Love You.”
Strangers
- Show love to others by acts of kindness.
- Volunteer for a cause that is close to your heart.
- Donate blood.
- Spring clean and give your gently used things to a shelter, church, or an organization in need.
- Take treats to your neighbors, offer to pick up their groceries, or shovel the snow.
Spread Love
Take some time this month, not just on Valentine’s Day, to spread kindness, love, gratitude and friendship. It makes each and every day of our lives and those we touch so much better.
Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
Gifts from the Heart
Sometimes the best gifts are free.
- Quality Time
- Presence
- Put Away Your Phone
- Listen
- Kindness
- Friendship
- Write a Letter or Make a Card
Gifts from the Store
Here are a few of my favorite gifts to give on Valentine’s Day, many if not all are gifts that pamper and help the recipient slow down and relax.
- Books, coffee table books, the latest bestseller and of course a romance novel.
- Candles
- Perfume
- Bath Salts or Bubble Bath
- Cards
Gifts from the Kitchen
I like to send and give love and gifts all year long, not just on Valentines day to let my friends and family know that although they are far away they are still in my thoughts.
Cookies and muffins are easy treats to make and to share, not to mention they can easily be mailed to your loved ones along with a card or letter.
For friends and family closer to home you could make a heart shaped cake or some Valentine’s cupcakes.
Until Next Time
Remember this friends, in every relationship you get out of it what you put into it.
So ask yourself this, are nurturing the relationships in your life that are important to you? If not maybe that is something to work on this year.
What do you typically give or like to receive for Valentine’s Day? Do you prefer to give flowers or chocolates?
I hope that you enjoyed my suggestions for celebrating the month of love and friendship. Have a great day friends, thank you for spending part of it with me.
You can also keep up with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. And last but not least, if you like Pinecones & Acorns share it with a friend!
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Elizabeth I didn't know you had grandkids! And what a great post, you are so thoughtful. I do celebrate Valentines with my Dad too–in addition to Jim. And I have a traditional V-Day dinner party with some close friends. So it's become a fun holiday. Thanks for the great suggestions, I want to look at the recipe for that cake, I love chocolate!!
ox
Leslie
One thing I avoid on Valentine's day is going out to eat. Restaurants are too busy.
Back in grade school, I found distributing Valentines to be so exciting. But the French don't really do Valentine's day. Chocolates and flowers but not cards.
Admittedly it's not a day that I mark.
Elizabeth, was it you who recommended “The Second Mrs. Astor”? Just finished it and it was fabulous!
I love Valentine’s Day and I’m blessed with a husband who is a romantic. He knows I love traditional Valentine’s Day gifts – the truffles in the heart-shaped velvet box, the red roses.
He likes calendars, so I got him a perpetual one:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1161705201/paulownia-wood-perpetual-block-calendar?click_key=c048905a0955b9d439241da8bda131f8b069a413%3A1161705201&click_sum=3d734772&ref=shop_home_active_6
I wear red all month long, and wear red lipstick and rose scented perfume and lotion.
We live in a tiny town and one of our local cafes (normally only serves breakfast) is putting on a 5 course candlelit dinner. So charming! We’ll dress up and go to that.
Off to get a red mani/pedi! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Amy, I love this. I am loved the Second Mrs. Astor! There are so many good books out and not enough time to read them.
My husband is very romantic and always writes me a beautiful card, paints me a picture and finds something I mentioned and forgot about. I have never been a jewelry person, although I like it I rarely wear it. I am happiest if you buy me a book, something to use while baking(a hand made rolling pin) or take me for a pizza!
Make sure to let me know about the 5 course dinner! I cannot wait to hear what they served and how you liked it. Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for always sharing your beautiful life!
Aw, have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Here’s the cute Valentine’s menu at our local cafe:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZcHyolug79/
I love this post and quotes.
This post and quotes are so great. Love them.
Thank you
Receiving baked goods is my love language lol! Love the heart cookies.
That is the perfect love language! Thank you.
I do like St. Valentine’s Day, mostly because it’s a bright spark during the mostly dreary, damp days of February!
I dug out my string of tiny heart lights and have wrapped them about the bust of Diana the Huntress here on the table, and tossed a few wooden hearts about – so not a lot of Valentine decor.
Lovely ideas, pix, poems, food here Elizabeth, thanks for sharing. I have a card for my love and, like you, will probably mix up a batch of something chocolatey. . . . . . .or, if I’m lazy, toss on my red coat, Dior red lipstick (under the mask of course), and head to the bakery for a small chocolate cake!
Happy days ahead – stay warm dear.
P.S. May look for a red mask – one with hearts and red lips perhaps, haha!!!!!
We usually celebrate Valentine’s Day at home and my husband cooks. When I was teaching,, I loved giving my students candy on Valentine’s Day.
Paula, I can only imagine what an amazing teacher you were. Happy Valentines day!
To me Valentine’s is a hallmark holiday, but it doesn’t bother me like Christmas does.
William I hope that you have a great night!
I just LOVE LOVE LOVE everything you shared about Galentine’s Day, and Valentine’s Day too. I am like you I so
enjoy spreading the love. I am a card person, last year I made cards for my Galentine friends. This year I ran out of
time, so they are all manufactured. It’s the thought that counts. I bet you enjoy the day too.
Katherine, I love cards, sending them and receiving them. I think it makes people feel special when they receive a card in the mail, or a box. Thank you for your kind compliment.
Why not have a day, a month to focus on love which spills into kindness and hopefully a measure of grace toward each other. Thanks for a good post!
Linda, you are so right!
Yes!!!! I love this post so much! It’s such a timely reminder of all that is good in this world!
Happy day rock star!
KariAnne
Thank you KariAnne! Have a great day friend!
There are so many good ideas in this post. I’m deciding whether I want to start pilates or yoga so that was the nudge I needed to find a class.
Thank you Rachel. I am partial to yoga!
Hello from chilly Minnesota! I wish to extend to you my absolute gratitude for your kind, upbeat and inspirational. Your words are the first I look for in my inbox. They have helped me focus on the good in the world more often than you can imagine. They are like a soothing balm and are a gift to anyone who reads them. Your book and tv watching suggestions are right up my alley and your shopping ideas are so fun and varied. What a stroke of luck it was that I found your site.
Thank you and have a most wonderful day.
With warm regards,
Catharine
Catherine,
THANK YOU! It was so kind of you to take the time to leave such a comment. It warms my heart to know that you find joy in this little blog that I have worked hard on for these last almost 14 years. How serendipitous that you found Pinecones & Acorns and a community of like minded people who enjoy books, recipes, interesting articles and finds.
I wish you a wonderful week and thank you again for reading the blog.
Fondly,
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
Today was a crazy busy day, every time I sat down to acknowledge your post I got distracted or interrupted.
Do you ever have days like that?
I wanted to say I loved loved loved your post today. I have to be brief because of all the things hanging over my head to try and get accomplished before my bed time.
Yes, I’m a big fan of Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day.
I always try to handcraft most of my Valentine’s Day cards to show my friendship and love.
I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week.
Valentin’s /Galentine’s is the best.
All the pearls you share are always so meaningful.
Hugs ❣️
Katherine,
Thank you for taking time from your busy day to comment on the post. I hope that you were able to get everything accomplished that you had on your list for the day.
I love homemade cards for any season or reason and I like that you make your own. I think it makes the holiday so much more special for the giver and the recipient.
Have w wonderful weekend and thank you again for your always positive and kind comments.