How did we get here? Valentine’s day is fast approaching and January is now a distant memory. I have been thinking about the ways in which we can incorporate more of a self care element into valentines’s day, as whether you are partnered up or solo on this day YOU deserve kindness and love as much as anyone else. Valentine’s day is so commercialised lately and can leave you feeling all kinds of inadequate whether you are in a loving relationship or not. It brings a lot of pressure to be or act a certain way that may not come naturally to some on this day, going out of our way to impress with the most lavish gifts. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with showing love and gift giving on this day, its an idea to look at things from a different perspective.

It would be nice for all involved if the gifts and extra attention did not just start and end with one day or weren’t all of a material nature, something to be enjoyed whatever day it may be and to evoke feelings of being loved and secure always. Something that you can gift yourself or a loved one has to be a win win right?! So I thought I would come up with a list of ten such ideas that I’ll list below which are good for you, the environment and definitely won’t break the bank.

An At Home Spa Experience

This can be a really lovely idea to gift yourself or a loved one, why not gather a few pampering skin and body care bits together? Things like a lovely natural / eco friendly body or face scrub with natural exfoliants and essential oils followed by a face mask , a DIY steam facial. These treatments can be followed by some pampering cleansing and moisturiser.

A Luxurious Bath / Shower

A nice luxurious pampering bath is always a winner you know the type, lots of lovely bubbles courtesy of some eco friendly bubble bath a few flower petals, dried herbs or fruit thrown in and some added Epsom salts to ease those hard worked muscles. There really is nothing better, you can also plan a lovely shower experience by using your best body scrub beforehand and hanging some fresh eucalyptus leaves in the shower to give off some lovely healing scented steam as you shower. There are also some essential oil shower discs that you can pop into your shower tray that release a lovely aroma as you shower.

Get Baking

Sometimes there’s nothing more heartwarming and satisfying than getting your bake on! Baking some valentines themed goodies is a great way to show the one you love how much you feel about them. Cookies, cupcakes, muffins and even pies are all a good way to your loved ones heart and yours too so why not fire up that oven and get the oven gloves ready!

Make Some Art

Some home made art is a great valentines gift, for others and for yourself too. The process of making something is very therapeutic and gives you such a sense of achievement and just think of the look of joy when you complete it and gift it a uniquely made item to your loved one or yourself.

Make A Home Cooked Meal

Making a home cooked meal is a great gift. Set the mood with a lovely laid out table with all the trimmings, candle light, petals or if you are not up to cooking, how about a lovely fancy takeout meal there is absolutely no shame in doing this. How ever you spend the day, I wish it to be a day filled with love for you and your loved ones.

Eme x