I know Valentine’s Day can be a seen as a cheesy, commercialized holiday where Americans buy too many red carnations, boxes of cheap chocolate and oversized stuffed animals.  Sure, at it’s worst Valentine’s Day is all of those things. I am, however, from a different camp.

I’m not sure if it’s because my birthday is a few days before Valentine’s Day, but I have always loved February 14.

I love an excuse to wear pink and red, eat lots of chocolate, give people cards and gifts that show my affection, and eat by candlelight (even if it’s a heart shaped pizza, not a lobster or filet mignon.) 

While some people love to decorate their homes for Halloween, or fill Pottery Barn baskets with expensive presents at Easter, I tend to make Valentine’s Day the holiday I go a little overboard.

If you’re one of those people who hate Valentine’s Day, or think it’s just for couples, or simply can’t get your act together…here are five last minute ideas for making today special:

For your significant other: send him/her a Spotify playlist of either your favorite songs, or new music they haven’t before heard. I love when Jonathan picks out music for me to listen to, and this idea is both fast and cheap! Also, for guys who need to buy their ladies a gift, Etsy has adorable virtual Valentine’s Day gift cards.

For your child: we bought Anna this book (it’d be cute for anyone, not just kids!), we’ll make heart shaped pancakes for breakfast and take a pink bubble bath.

For a stranger: try a day of Radical Generosity.

For a friend: stop by their work or home with Starbucks and a pink cake pop.

For yourself:  Pick up a fancy frothy drink, a bouquet of flowers, a frozen yogurt or a magazine. Hop in the bath, sprawl out on the couch, or go for a walk. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as it’s not something you’d normally treat yourself to on an average day. Make today worth celebrating! 

photo credit: Pink Sherbet Photography via photopin cc