Its almost that time of year again. And yes, Valentines Day is quite the over commercialised concept and yet, even if you think its total BS, chances are you are still expecting and planning something for you and your partner to commemorate your relationship. I mean, it’s hard to escape the red rose, heart shaped chocolate propaganda that is around every corner in the lead up, am I right?
For this weeks love letter to those fighting the good fight to keep their love thriving, I wanted to talk about how to introduce the powerful tool that is The Five Love Languages to ensure that this year, that extra special message of love, really resonates..
If you aren’t familiar with the ‘The Five Love Languages’ or don’t know your own Love Language, well then, gifting the book ‘The Five Love Languages’ by Gary Chapman to you and your partner and taking the quiz, would be a mighty big, relationship game changing, Valentines day event in of itself!
For those that are already versed in this topic, read the full Love letter here to get a host of V day ideas that aligned with the 5 different love languages, now!
Here are just a few ideas to get you started on what would be the most ideal expression of your love, in a format that means the most to your partner.
Physical Touch:
Physical touch can mean sexual touch however more often than not, it also strongly includes non sexual physical touch. Here are some Valentines gift ideas, for you or partner whose love language is Physical Touch.
A hand-written gift card to a full body massage by you (get on youtube and learn some massage techniques, to up your masseuse game!)
A professional massage (yup, it doesn’t even have to be you who is doing the touching!)
Book a dance class (most people who have Physical touch as their love language also really respond not just to touch but to the physicality in general)
Words of Affirmation:
A personalised Love story book. There are a lot of websites that offer ways to personalise an actual printed book, that is your love story. (get googling, my dear!)
A written or oral list of all the ways you are proud of your partner AND why you are proud to be their partner. (compliments are great, but admiration and respect? BOOM!)
Sneaky love notes. Grab a bunch of post its, and write a simple one liner of love to your partner on a handful, and then stash them where they can be found throughout the day. On the steering wheel of the car? In a coat pocket? Bathroom mirror? (go digital, and leave these ‘notes’ in their social media comments, text messages etc…)
Receiving Gifts:
Quality Time:
Seems like the perfect follow on to what you just read above right?
Do a digital detox: Quality time people, need undivided attention… so ditch the phones for Valentines day, and give them your unfettered attention.
Book a holiday, just for the two of you. Even a weekend break in a nearby towns B&B without work, kids, family etc… can be an intense expression of love to someone who values quality time above all else.
Acts of Service:
A chore get out of jail coupon book is always a Acts of Service crowd pleaser. This gives your partner the right to offload a chore to you from time to time. I could really use a ‘Lost the will to Laundry’ coupon myself right now!
Knock off some items on your own TO DO list that have to do with the house or other projects you have in common. Come on, did you promise last summer you would paint the garden fence or fix that kitchen door that never quite shuts right and yet… unpainted fence and janky ass door are still around?
I hope this weeks love letter, gave you some outside the old Valentines box ideas or, even better, inspired you to think of some yourself! Valentines days DOES NOT require dinner reservations for that overly expensive special V day menu, or a marked up to the sky dozen red roses… a little bit of thought, care and real understanding of what makes your partners heart tick, makes for a much more meaningful and memorable day.