I love Valentine’s day. When I tell people this, the usual response is: “You do?”  Followed by: “Why??” Am I totally in the minority on this one?  I often feel like I am. But I really do love it.  Here’s why….

Hearts:  I love anything heart shaped. And Valentine’s day with all it’s red and pink and hearts…. forget decorating for Christmas or any other holiday for that matter…. Valentines decorations are my favorite. I keep some of my Valentines decorations up year round in fact. It’s so pretty and refreshing in February… a reminder that surely there is more to this month than the dreary gray and cold of Wisconsin winter.

These stay up year round.

Sweet treats:  Every year, instead of buying lots of chocolates and the standard Valentine’s themed candy, I make something sweet.  I usually whip up a batch of rice krispie treats and throw in some red, pink and white m&ms with a ton of heart shaped sprinkles.  They’re made with lots of love and always a crowd pleaser.

Treats!

Valentines:  I can without a doubt tell you that the best thing about grade school was making my Valentine “mailbox” every year.  I died when my husband told me he was going to have to make one for work this year…. of course he was sweet enough to let me make it for him!  I still buy Valentines to hand out every year.

My Valentines this year.

Mixtapes:  Which turned to mixed cds, which are now playlists. Some of my very favorite mixes I’ve received and made are Valentine’s mixes.  So, so many great love songs, but no matter your Valentine status there’s still nothing better than a good breakup song  There are so many different directions to take a Valentine’s Day mix:  love song mix, heartbroken mix, anti-love-angry mix, sexy mix.  The possibilities are endless!  Here are some of my faves this year…..

Love Song – 311

Treasure – Bruno Mars

Something About Us – Daft Punk

All Of My Love – Led Zeppelin

Modern Love – David Bowie

Something In The Way You Move – Ellie Goulding

Like A Friend – Pulp

Crazy Love – Van Morrison

Heartbeats – Jose Gonzalez

Bubbles:  I’m 100% in for any occasion that calls for champagne! I feel like no matter what side of Valentine’s day you’re on, popping a bottle of bubbly is more than acceptable. Cheers!

Cheers!

Lastly and probably most importantly I love that it’s a day to make all the special people in our lives feel extra special….  the most important person being YOU!  In the words of RuPaul:  “If you can’t love yourself, how the hell you gonna love somebody else?  Can I get an amen?!”