By Margarita Cossuto
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! It is the time of year when many people buy chocolates and flowers to show that special someone in their life how much they are loved. While it is undoubtedly lovely to give and receive gifts that symbolize appreciation, this year, why not consider showing your significant other, family, and friends how much you appreciate them with an “intangible” Valentine’s Day gift. An intangible gift, one that cannot be touched, may not only be the best gift you ever give, but it also means that you are not bringing more items into your home, which can help you keep things organized and your home clutter-free. Here are some Valentine’s Day gift ideas that are intangible and simple to do.
Make the bed: If you don’t regularly make your bed, consider doing it for Valentine’s Day, and maybe even beyond. Think about how inviting and relaxing it feels when you walk into a hotel room for the first time and the bed is nicely made. Now imagine how nice it would feel to have that same experience in your own home. While it does take time to make the bed, especially if you have a lot of layers and pillows, there are benefits to making the bed in addition to it looking nice for you and your loved one. From an organizing perspective, making your bed encourages you to keep the rest of your room tidy. When the bed is made, it helps the rest of the room look styled, even if it is not perfect. Making the bed also leads to better productivity. When you get into the habit of making your bed daily, it can kickstart a chain of other good decisions throughout the day and give you a sense of taking charge. If you think your significant other, or kids (as a one-time “gift”) would appreciate your efforts, give it a try!
Organize together: There is bound to be someone in your life who has been meaning to organize and declutter their closet or kitchen, for example. Giving this person the gift of your time can be invaluable and extremely motivating. Simply being there with someone while they are sorting through their belongings and deciding what to keep and donate can be tremendously helpful. Just being in the proximity of another person and offering suggestions and encouragement can bring the person focus and can be a fun experience you share.
Give the gift of time: Time is one of the most underrated gifts that one can give and receive. Similar to organizing together, think about the people in your life who are important to you and simply carve out some time to be with them. Spending time with others creates a sense of belonging and connection, meeting one of our basic human needs. Consider revising your schedule on Valentine’s Day and over the weekend to build in some extra time to make special visits to your loved ones.
Whatever way you celebrate on Valentine’s Day, remember that there are many intangible gifts you can give to those who are important to you. Be creative and consider the ideas in this article as a starting point for things you can do for someone or with someone.
