A No-Spend Valentine’s Day: Finding Love Beyond Material Gifts
February, the month of love, and better yet- my birthday! My husband and I did something different for this month's events, we didn’t buy gifts. Gasp! Can you imagine? I’m sure you are thinking “He must not love you since he didn’t buy you anything” Yet, without spending money I felt more loved and appreciated than I have in the past when receiving an expensive gift.
Now, I didn’t say he didn’t give me a birthday gift, he just didn’t buy one. Instead, he got creative, he wrote a heartfelt note that included an “all inclusive” camping weekend where he does all the planning and packing. If anyone is a working mom who camps, you know how much work it is to get everything ready for a short weekend trip. I felt more loved by this simple gesture and note than if I had been gifted a diamond bracelet because it spoke to my love language.
Our culture is focused on expressing love through spending money, especially around Valentine’s Day. Corporations boil down all the love languages to one- Receiving Gifts, because that’s what makes them money. Instead for Valentine’s Day we focused on the origin of Valentine's Day- loving each other.
We didn't do this in a showy way that could be shared on Instagram. Instead, it was a self-sacrificing, unconditional love, that isn’t always easy. Like doing the “puppy puzzle” with my 3-year-old for the 100th time that day. Or making supper for my 2 kids and sick husband without complaining or getting short tempered. This year Valentine’s Day was a reminder of what true love looks like.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps not record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails”- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
I can tell you right now there are at least 4 areas in that bible verse that I can work on. Valentine's Day is a perfect day to remind myself what real love looks like. It can't be bought at a store, but has to be worked on day in and day out. For future Valentine's Days I know we won't be running to the store to buy the traditional Valentine's Day gift. I haven't decided what to do to celebrate in the future but here are some ideas:
Ways to celebrate Valentine's Day without buying gifts:
Meditate on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Take the love language quiz with your family members
Each family member pick someone to "gift", their gift has to align with that persons love language.
Write a card to someone that include what you admire about them
Learn about St. Valentine
Leave your ideas for having a No-Spend Valentine’s Day in the comments