Blogging for Change

Seven free ways to say "I love you" this Valentines' Day

by Jesse Campbell on
2/8/2016
in Budgeting and Building Savings

However you may feel about Valentine’s Day, you have to admit that love is a concept worth celebrating. Even Valentine’s Day detractors are usually less against the idea of the day and more against its extreme commercialization. Valentine’s Day is, after all, the second most expensive holiday of the year, full of expensive jewelry, fancy dinners, grand romantic gestures, and flowers. So. Many. Flowers.

Buying something for a loved one is fine, but love doesn’t require a massive display of your awesome purchasing power. You can very easily show how much you care without ever opening your wallet. In fact, there are probably an infinite number of free ways to say “I love you”, but for the sake of writing an article that eventually ends, here are seven simple, absolutely free ways to show that special someone how much you care.

Just say it

The simplest method of all, but one we’ve all been guilty of undervaluing – just say, “I love you.” They may already know how you feel, but say it anyway. Then say it again for good measure.

Don’t make them ask

When your partner is feeling a bit overextended, there may be chores or tasks that they just can’t get to. There may be things they would normally do on their own, but now they need help. Don’t wait until they ask for that help – just step forward and give it. Even the smallest gesture can make it clear that you’re paying attention and you have their back.

Ask questions and listen to the answers

Part of supporting the person you love is simply giving them a sounding board. Let them share. Let them vent. And make it clear that you’re hearing them. It only takes a small amount of time and a small amount of effort, but when someone feels heard, they feel valued.

Take an interest

You don’t have to like everything your partner like, but there’s something to be said for making an effort to at least understand your partner’s passions. From the causes they champion to the TV shows they never miss, you don’t have to share in everything, but it never hurts to take the time and give those things a chance. And who knows, you may find something you do love, which just brings you closer.

Disconnect together

Go for a walk and leave your cell phones behind. It’s increasingly difficult to simply be present in any individual moment. So show you care by making that effort. Step away from the WiFi and give all of your focus and attention to your partner. Our time and our energy are some of the most precious commodities we have to share, so it says a lot about how much we care when we share them with someone freely.

Set mutual goals

Where do you want to be as a unit and how do you plan to get there? A great way to show that you love someone and want to be together is to make plans. By creating mutual goals and laying out a plan to get there, you reaffirm your commitment to each other, while also giving yourselves something to work towards.

Clean out the refrigerator

Look, it needs to be done. Nobody wants to do it, but some of those Tupperware containers in the back…You just need to bite the bullet and take one for the team, okay? It won’t be pleasant, but at the end you’ll have a clean refrigerator and a partner who knows just how much you care. Which is a lot. Because that refrigerator…

But like I said, those are just a few free ways to say “I love you.” What are yours? How do you show your partner you care? Leave a comment below!

Jesse Campbell photo.

Jesse Campbell is the Content Manager at MMI, with over ten years of experience creating valuable educational materials that help families through everyday and extraordinary financial challenges.

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