Last minute efforts for your Valentine

I have a love/hate relationship with Valentine's Day. I Love to show people I love them, and I love to be shown love. I don't however, need a holiday to do it. Hallmark, Target, and Wal-greens all find ways to pull me in to buy things that are double the normal price because they have "Valentine's Day" packaging. I came across some alternate ways to say "I love you", that will make memories and be more meaningful then chocolate and flowers.

Love notes. Tell them you love them with some prose or poetry. Perhaps a story if you can't rhyme. Reminiscence on the day you met, and share how much better your life is with them in it! Get some fancy paper or a pretty note card. Bradley Paper or Maxine's, in Wichita, has beautiful selections of paper and stationary.

Art. Can't pour your heart out on paper? Paint a picture. Can't paint? Make a collage of how they make you feel. It's the thought that counts, right? Maybe a gift of art lessons at Wichita CityArts, or Wichita Center for the Arts, and then you both can!

Eat. Make them a special dinner, that you cook. Fancy it up with candles and music. Don't forget desert! Can't cook? Stop by GreenAcres Market and pickup food from the Deli, put on fancy plates and serve!

Give yourself. Make coupons and fill them out with things you can do to help make their life easier. Such as, babysit, clean the house, make dinner. Any skill you do that your valentine would appreciate. Be creative. Gifts of service are always a hit with busy Moms!

Gift yourself. Agree with your loved one that you will each pick your own gift this year. Set a budget and then go shopping. This one's a no-brainer, but a great cop-out for the one who has everything!

Remember, you don't have to have a National holiday to remember to show someone you love them. Why not make the gift of showing it more often? Enjoy your weekend!