How can they possibly forget to honour the romantic in you when there are so many ways to say, ‘I love you’?
Some people are sentimental, some aren’t. But if the Month of Love is a big deal for your inner romantic, then don’t be shy about sharing this list of 23 suggestions Drum has on ways to celebrate love.
1) Capture your memories
How many times have you wished you had professionally taken photos of you together with the people you love?
Booking a studio and photographer for a Month of Love shoot is a cute Valentine’s Day gesture that your partner, pal or parent will treasure for the rest of their lives.
2) Give them a voucher booklet
Life is expensive and we’re all feeling a bit price-sensitive in SA. A R1 000 voucher for a mall or specific retailer doesn’t go as far as it used to go just two years ago. So what about ging your Valentine a handmade voucher booklet that they can ‘cash in’ from you any time?
One page could be a voucher for one night of babysitting, the other could be for a car wash, and another can be for tidying up their work space if they work from home. Think of what act of service would speak volumes about your thoughtfulness, then make a voucher for that.
3) Learn a new skill together
Thanks to technology, you don’t even have to leave home to attend a virtual class to learn something you’ve always wanted to do.
Pasta-making, pottery lessons, cocktail mixing, making candles – these are just some of the things you can buy tickets to do together with your bae or bud this Love Month.
4) Go on a staycation
A staycation need not even be at a fancy hotel. The key is just to have some quality time together in a different space. You could book an Airbnb or local guesthouse to enjoy each other’s company in your own city.
Create an itinerary of things to do, including discovering local museums, parks or art galleries if that’s your speed.
5) Braai braai, baby
With the rising price of food and inflation, meat and bevs have become a luxury.
Doing a braai in your own backyard or balcony for two might be an intimate, romantic gesture if your partner loves meat.
6) Create a music playlist for them
Apps such as Spotify may have made it quick as a flash to create fantastic music compilations, but there’s nothing as sweet as receiving a flash stick with music or a CD with a playlist from your Love’s library.
Be nostalgic and sentimental about it so they always think of you and the memories you share when they plug the music into their car stereo. It might even be the playlist for your next road trip together.
7) Share your secret
We all have that one thing that we can make better than anyone else.
Cocktail, cappuccino, soup, stew, banana loaf – whatever it is, why not set the night apart to teach your Sweetheart how to make that treat?
If you’re sharing a secret recipe, even better! Just share it with someone who’s in your life for a long time not just a good time.
8) Write them a love letter
How special is it to look at old letters from your parents’ or grandparents’ generation?
Sadly, many of us lose these treasures over the years along with the skill of letter-writing. But you can give your loved one a handwritten not expressing why and how they matter to you. Who knows? They may just save it for posterity.
9) Print the special memories on your photo album
Speaking of family treasures, how many of us miss albums?
Sure, our phones have digital albums and make it easier to make and store memories in massive storage clouds. But a good, old-fashioned photo album is a fantastic to give to someone who is sentimental.
Pick the pictures you want to print and download them onto a flash drive and pop down to your local printer’s kiosk to have the photos done in high-gloss card. Then buy an album and stick the photos in chronologically.
10) Make a bucket list or vision board together
Sometimes the things we wish to do but cannot afford to do right now just need to be written down.
The power of listing or creating vision boards is that you are a) setting an intention and making a wish something that’s actionable, and b) you are affirming that your dreams can become reality.
Why don’t you do this together as a couple?
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11) Make a chocolate fondue
"What could be more romantic than making your own chocolate-covered strawberries at home with hot melted fondue?"
12) Flowers for your love
"Nothing gets those feel-good endorphins going like flowers or a thoughtful gift for your loved one."
13) Go ice-skating
"It may be hot outdoors, so why not cool off, and try something new and head to the ice-rink? Novelty is great for couples."
14) Have a coffee date
"Go to your favourite coffee shop or café and spend some time just talking and reminiscing over a coffee and tasty treat. Or if the weather is nice, take your coffee to go and find a park bench for the two of you to cosy up on."
15) Get a massage together
"Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for a little TLC. Book a couple’s massage and enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation together."
16) Get your adrenalin pumping together
"Why not bungee jump? See a scary movie? Or visit a simulator? Do something that gets your adrenaline pumping because (a) it’ll make for great memories, (b) you’ll both be riding a natural high, and (c) you’ll have plenty to talk about at dinner."
17) Make dinner together
"Cook a special meal with your loved one this Valentine's Day. There are plenty of dinner for two options to choose from."
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Valentine’s Day is no longer just for couples – we’re celebrating all types of love, including friendship, which is celebrated by some Singles on the 13th of Februray as Galentine's Day. Here is how to make your Galentine, Pantine or Valentine feel appreciated.
18) Paint and Wine evening
To celebrate Galentine's Day creatively, check out a local paint-and-wine studio.
You and your Galentine(s) can try your hand at painting on canvas while enjoying some wine.
As the unique artistic abilities of each girl emerge, there will undoubtedly be lots of amusing moments.
19) Spa Day
Make a day at the spa with your best girlfriends. You and your pals should visit a local spa, make reservations for a day of spa treatments, and spend the day unwinding and having a good time together.
20) Secret Cupid
Know what a Secret Santa is? Yes, it's the same concept as Secret Cupid. You and your friends could arrange a gift exchange for Galentine's Day. Each Secret Cupid sends a gift to the home or office of her best friend on Galentine's Day.
21) Bake off or cook-off
You and your girlfriends should hold a baking or cooking competition to determine who among you is the most inventive in the kitchen.
22) Bling bling
Think friendship bracelets, buddy watches or promise rings.
23) Games night
If your girlfriends love a friendly competition and a night in, board game night may be the best Galentine’s Day idea for them.
Have your Galentines over for a cosy evening in competing to win board games, eating fun snacks and sipping on Galentine themed drinks.
Additional sources: Country Living; Oprah Daily; Women’s Health
