Clutter-Free Ways to Celebrate Valentines Day for Any Love Language

Written By Cris Sgrott

The five love languages were developed by Dr. Gary Chapman. An author, counselor, and pastor, Dr. Chapman worked with couples and identified patterns in the ways they struggled, which usually boiled down to misunderstandings of one another and each other’s needs. He developed the concept of love language to help couples learn to show their love in recognizable ways, coming up with five love languages.

WHAT ARE THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES?

Dr. Chapman identified five love languages:

  • Words of affirmation

  • Quality time

  • Physical touch

  • Acts of service

  • Receiving gifts

Valentine’s Day gives us an opportunity to show love and appreciation to the people we care about. While it’s marketed as a romantic holiday for couples only, we think it is a great time to show appreciation and love for all the people who make you happy and touch your life.

SHOWING LOVE AT WORK

Dr. Chapman’s approach to love languages was so successful that he developed a version for the workplace. Showing love doesn’t require physical contact, which means you can show love through appreciation and recognition to colleagues and employees. There are a number of ways you can demonstrate how much you care for bosses, employees, colleagues, and clients. His five workplace love languages are:

  • Words of Affirmation = Feedback + Mentorship

  • Quality Time = Workplace Bonding

  • Receiving Gifts = New Opportunities + Challenges

  • Acts of Service = Support.

  • Physical Touch = Encouraging Touchpoints.

Here are some great ideas for showing love at work:

  • Give a well-deserved employee unexpected paid time off

  • Bring donuts to the office for everyone

  • Take your team to lunch

  • Acknowledge the contributions of an employee or colleague

  • Thank your clients for their loyalty

Most of the ways you show appreciation don’t have to cost a lot of money, take a lot of time, or result in a lot of clutter. It’s the recognition itself that matters. Knowing you are appreciated is a wonderful gift.

SHOWING LOVE TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY

While romance is definitely in the air on Valentine’s Day, it can be a fun time to show love to other friends and family as well. From chocolate treats to a trip to the movies, giving an experience instead of something else to add clutter can be the way to go. Here are some ideas for children and other friends and family:

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Kids

  • Small gift bags with chocolate treats plus a needed item, like socks

  • Movie tickets or a trip to a favorite restaurant

  • Chore cancel day – let them off the hook for chores and give them extra time on video games instead

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Friends and Family

One of the best things you can do for friends and family is give your time.

  • Offer to babysit for a new mom friend who just wants a nap or a haircut

  • Call your homebound aunt or grandmother and surprise them with an unexpected phone call

  • Do yardwork for your elderly neighbor

  • Take a special friend out to lunch or coffee and just spend time talking

  • Help a friend clean their home or complete a project they’ve been putting off

VALENTINE’S DAY IDEAS FOR YOUR LOVE

Looking for the perfect gift for the one you love? Look no further. Here are just a few suggestions for clutter-free ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, no matter what your partner’s Language of Love is.

Words of Affirmation

  • Write a love letter or poem or song (or read one you feel fits your feelings for your partner)

  • Write down all the things you love about your partner on small papers. Fold them up and put them in a decorative jar, box, or tin.

  • Leave notes of appreciation throughout the house that your partner can find during the course of the day.

Acts of Service

  • Make breakfast for your partner

  • Take care of the kids and let your partner sleep in

  • Do that one project that is important to your partner but you haven’t gotten around to yet

Receiving Gifts

  • Chocolate! Chocolate is both delicious and (dark chocolate) is good for your health

  • Flowers are a classic and can brighten up these cold winter days

  • Donate to a charity your partner is passionate about, or volunteer at a local charity with your partner

Quality Time

  • Cook dinner and spend an evening with your love, treating them to their favorite

  • Go to the movies or out for coffee or anywhere you enjoy spending time together

  • Have a fire in the fireplace, spend all day in your pajamas reading or talking with your partner and ignoring all daily responsibilities

Physical Touch

  • Hugs! Hug your partner throughout the day just to let them know you appreciate them

  • Go for a walk and hold hands

  • Give them a massage

There are so many ways you can show love to the people in your life that doesn’t add clutter or cost a lot of money.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Cris Sgrott
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