Valentine’s Day is filled with heart-shaped chocolates, roses, and expressions of affection! The history behind this day is filled with mystery, legend, and controversy. How did this day evolve from a Roman festival to a global celebration of romance? And more importantly, how can you make it extra special for your sweetheart this year?  

Where Did Valentine’s Day Begin?  

Valentine’s Day first originated from the pagan festival of Lupercalia, which took place in ancient Rome and was celebrated between February 13th and 15th. This was a violent festival, filled with animal sacrifices and whippings, and was intended to ward off evil spirits and promote health and fertility. The rituals conducted at the festival were far from romantic and were not exactly something worth celebrating! In the fifth century A.D., Pope Gelasius banned the festival and decided that February 14th would be the day to celebrate Saint Valentine instead. So, who was Saint Valentine? Saint Valentine was a Roman Christian priest, and at the time, Emperor Claudius persecuted Christians and forbade priests from marrying couples. Valentine defied the Emperor’s orders and secretly performed marriages for young couples when the practice was outlawed. He was eventually imprisoned and then executed on February 14th, around the year 270 AD. During his imprisonment, it’s said he wrote a heartfelt letter to the jailer’s daughter and signed it “From your Valentine,” a phrase that continues to symbolize love today.  

Why Do We Exchange Gifts?  

The tradition of exchanging tokens of love on Valentine’s Day can be traced back to the Victorian era. Handwritten love letters were a favorite way to express affection, and these cards were often elaborately decorated with lace, ribbons, and romantic illustrations.

Flowers, especially red roses, gained popularity in the 19th century due to their association with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Chocolates joined the mix thanks to the marketing brilliance of Richard Cadbury, who introduced beautifully boxed chocolates specifically for Valentine’s Day. Fast forward to today, these traditions have endured and expanded to include a mix of personalized gifts, romantic getaways, and heartfelt gestures.  

7 Sweet Things to Do for Your Sweetheart  

The main goal of Valentine’s Day today is to show your partner how much they mean to you! While gifts can be elaborate, here are seven sweet yet simple things you can do to make this day extra special:  

1. Cook a romantic dinner together or surprise your partner with their favorite meal prepared by you. Bonus points for candlelight and soft music! 
2. Write a heartfelt letter expressing your love, gratitude, and appreciation for your partner.
3. Plan a fun activity like ice skating, watching a movie in bed, or hiking together. Remember that quality time is always cherished.
4. Make a DIY gift like a scrapbook filled with memories or personalized coupons for things like breakfast in bed or massages.
5. Surprise your partner at work with flowers, chocolates, a coffee, or lunch delivery.
6. Create a romantic scavenger hunt with clues leading to sentimental spots or gifts around your home or neighborhood.
7. Recreate your first date or a memorable date you both cherish. It’s a sweet way to reminisce and relive happy memories. 

Valentine’s Day may have evolved from a pagan festival, but it has transformed into a day of love and appreciation for our significant others. Whether we exchange gifts or spend quality time together, the main focus is showing our love and gratitude for our partners. So, this Valentine’s Day, take some time to celebrate your love and make it extra special with these sweet gestures!

The start of the new year often brings hope and the drive to improve ourselves—but how often do these ambitious resolutions succeed? Studies show that nearly 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. The primary culprit? Setting unrealistic expectations.  

This year, let’s do things differently. Instead of overwhelming yourself with far-reaching goals, why not set actionable, attainable, and genuinely impactful resolutions?

Why Realistic Resolutions Matter  

The key to success is creating resolutions aligning with your life circumstances and capabilities. Unrealistic goals can quickly feel impossible, leading to burnout or discouragement.  

Reasonable resolutions work with you rather than against you. When you focus on smaller, achievable goals, you’re more likely to stick with them—and feel a rewarding sense of accomplishment along the way.  

The following examples focus on specific areas of self-improvement with actionable tips to keep you on track throughout the year.  

Improve Physical Health with Small, Sustainable Changes:

Setting sweeping fitness goals is a classic New Year’s mistake. Instead, pick a more manageable step toward long-term health.  

Reasonable examples:  

• Walk a minimum of 7,000 steps per day.
• Replace sugary beverages with water or unsweetened alternatives for at least one meal daily.
• Experiment with one new healthy recipe each week.  

The key here is finding routines that feel natural to maintain. Smaller goals add up, and you’ll see meaningful results before you know it.  

Build Better Financial Habits  

Financial goals are some of the most common resolutions—and for good reason. Whether you aim to save more or spend smarter, small steps can have significant payoffs.  

Ideas to consider:  

• Start a “No Spend Day” each week to help curb unnecessary purchases.  
• Automatically save a set percentage of each paycheck, no matter how small.  
• Track all your expenses for three months—you might spot surprising spending patterns!  

Read More Books (Or Listen to Audiobooks!)  

Many want to “read more,” but fail to define what that means. A reasonable goal might be one book per month—or 15 minutes of reading each night before bed. If you’re short on time for physical books, try audiobooks on platforms like Audible or Libby during commutes or workouts.  

Try One New Skill or Hobby  

New Year’s resolutions are an excellent time to explore a skill or hobby you’ve always been curious about. The key? Start small. Instead of planning to “become a professional painter,” focus on taking one beginner-level art class—or trying out lessons on YouTube.  

Examples of reasonable hobbies to explore:  

• Learning how to bake one new dish a month.  
• Enrolling in a beginner’s language course.  
• Testing out indoor gardening with one low-maintenance plant.  

This approach adds fun and creativity to your year and keeps the pressure low.  

Focus on Digital Well-Being  

We lead lives deeply integrated with technology, but too much screen time can increase stress and distraction. Making minor adjustments to your digital habits could be highly beneficial.  

Simple resolutions to try:  

• No phone use for the first hour after waking up.  
• Set app usage limits for social media apps.  
• Commit to phone-free dinners with your family or friends.  

Create a More Meaningful Year  

The best New Year’s resolutions are those that cater to your unique needs and lifestyle. You don’t have to achieve massive changes overnight—instead, focus on smaller, sustainable steps toward growth.  

This year, challenge yourself to set attainable goals that feel exciting and rewarding. Remember, it’s not about perfection—it’s about progress.  

Here’s to a year of meaningful strides and well-deserved victories!

The holiday season is the perfect time to spread cheer and show appreciation for those around you. While we often focus on family and close friends during this festive time, remember your neighbors! Small, thoughtful gestures help build stronger, more connected communities. But what do you give your neighbors that’s easy, budget-friendly, and thoughtful?  

Homemade Treats

• Cookies and Baked Goods: Whip up a batch of holiday cookies, muffins, or brownies. Wrap them in festive cellophane bags or a decorative reusable tin. Not much of a baker? No problem! You can always pick up treats from a local store or bakery to share.  
• Candied Nuts: Glazed pecans or cinnamon-sugar almonds are easy to make and universally loved.  
• Hot Cocoa Jars: Layer cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and marshmallows into a mason jar with a tag with instructions for making the perfect cup of hot chocolate!

DIY Gifts

• Christmas Potpourri: Fill a mason jar or baggy with dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and cranberries for a festive and fragrant gift. Add a small tag with instructions for simmering on the stove for some holiday aromatherapy.  
• Holiday Candles: Make your own candles using melted wax, essential oils, and festive containers like teacups or mason jars. Your neighbors will love these homemade gifts that add warmth and coziness to their homes during the holidays.
• Handwritten Notes: In this digital age, handwritten notes have become rare, but they hold much meaning. Take the time to write out individual notes of appreciation for each neighbor.

Practical and Thoughtful  

If crafting isn’t your thing, there are plenty of practical and easy gifts you can buy that still feel warm and thoughtful.  

• Potted Plants: A tiny pop of green livens up any space and requires minimal upkeep. Plus, they can be enjoyed long after the holiday season.  
• Kitchen Towels and Oven Mitts: A set of holiday-themed kitchen towels or oven mitts are practical and festive.
• Local Goods: Consider gifts from small businesses in your area, like a jar of locally sourced honey, handmade chocolates, or a bottle of gourmet olive oil.  Not only will your neighbors appreciate the thoughtfulness, but you’ll also be supporting your local community.  

Spread Love and Cheer to Your Neighbors  

The holidays are all about spreading love and cheer, and what better way to do that than through small gestures towards your neighbors? Gifting doesn’t have to be extravagant. Whether a homemade treat or a thoughtful note, these easy gifts will make your neighbors feel appreciated and valued. So don’t forget to spread some holiday joy beyond just your close circle of family and friends this year!  

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!