Valentine’s Day
There are a few disagreements around the origins of Valentine’s Day o February 14th, with some dating back to a very unromantic and ancient Roman pagan fertility festival. Whether or not they are linked, the current invention of Valentine’s Day began in the 1400s as a day to celebrate romance between couples. That purpose too, has evolved over the centuries to include friendship and admiration for family, friends and card-sharing to classmates in elementary school for kids.
Love is in the air
This highly anticipated day is a celebration of only one thing for most people: love between couples. Everything about the day revolves around their picture of togetherness and nothing else.
Starting with the traditional, the day might involve a bouquet of flowers and a dinner reservation followed by the sunset stroll holding hands at the beach.
What could paint a prettier picture than that?
Of course, these days celebrating togetherness might be a jog on a special trail, lattes with heart-shaped foam or a song dedication on the radio. Whatever it is, it’s the thought that counts.
This Valentine’s Day let love guide you to think up some new fun things-for-two to do in celebration of your love for your significant other, even more than you do already. It’s a real chance to experience mutual admiration, respect, kind attention and generosity in giving and receiving as if it was both of your birthdays.
Some things might require a little preparation, such as reservations because you will want to look and feel your best on this day and if you can do it as a couple, all the better. Think double pampering, doing things you both like and get side-by-side seating/reclining where you can if visiting a spa. If you are an aware person, you will have gleaned some hints about something your partner would like to try, see or watch, which makes it so much easier.
- dual manicure/pedicure/facial/massage
- find a special snuggle movie or specially buy a new release before it comes out on Netflix
- acupuncture in lieu of performance enhancers (yes, there is such a thing)
- cook something together from a local meal kit company like Fresh Prep (it’s fast & scrumptious, but plan ahead & check delivery times)
- visit the Tourist Information Center for some local guides on new places to see or trails to walk
Family Day
In my province of BC we celebrate with family on the 3rd Monday of February which has free family activities made available by government so we can be tourists on our own turf. It’s a wonderful opportunity to take the kids to the museum or partake in any one of the numerous events through Parks & Recreation. LINK
All you really need is a box of chalk and a big empty parking lot.
Ask the kids
The thing about kids is that they pretty much know what they want to do and it is usually going to the park because of the huge slides, spring ride-em animals and everything climbable. Since February is not seasonally a warm month it might be an inside day, and for that you can always make a trip to Dollarama and let everyone pick out their own creative activity from the massive selection, including the adults.
Again, it’s all about the quality time of togetherness and parents should always have the most recent guides from both the Tourist Information Center, as well as Parks & Recreation to fall back on.
