Tag: presents

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10 Simple Ways To Show Love on Valentines Day

mindbeautysimplicity

Today, I’m excited to have Sejal of The Lazy Gal Blog for guest posting on Mind Beauty Simplicity. I hope you all enjoy her suggest simple ways to showcase love to the ones in your life this Valentines Day. If you enjoy this post, please be sure to check out her blog & follow her on social media. All of her links will be down below at the end of the post.

Valentine’s Day is a day for showing someone you cherish and appreciate them. Some people love going all out, and others like being more mellow. This post is for the latter. I know people who don’t like big commotion and being in front of others. Maybe because of social anxiety or other reasons. Here are some simple ways to show your special person why they’re special to you. Not only for Valentine’s day but every day

Cook for them Or Order their Favorite Food

A surprise breakfast(in bed), or just a meal that you know they love. Even a dessert they love, or a cultural dish. If you’re scared about something exploding, you can always order their favorite dish from their favorite restaurant. Or from a place where both of you have good memories.

Make them Something

No one said you have to splurge on a gift. Painting something, taking ceramics classes to make something, making paper roses, etc. A collage of memories, or something else handmade. Putting effort into something like this is appreciated. Especially if you make it of something they like. If they love roses or tulips, you can make a painting for that or make paper versions. There are so many ideas on Youtube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Pinterest!

Buy them something special

If you saw them look at something they wanted but didn’t get, or something that’s been on their wishlist. You can think about getting that. This shows that you really care, and would be a cute surprise If you know they’re a reader, then this post is perfect for you! If you know they love music you can get them merch, concert tickets, records, and favorite singer/band-themed items. Get your partner something that truly shows you know their interests and what they want.

Get something matching for both of you

Matching necklaces, rings, bracelets, etc are all simple cute ways to show your partner you cherish them. I’m not talking about super expensive diamond jewelry, I mean handmaid items. Or matching crystals, designs, and colors. This way you can always have a cute reminder of them, and vice versa. You can also get matching hats or clothes. Whatever you think is best for you and your partner!

Book a hair, spa, or nail appointment

Some caution, if you know your partner wouldn’t like you booking appointments like this, please don’t do it. However, if you know they’ll love a little spa or self-care day, this is perfect! Check-in with their usual salon or nail area, and see what’s available. Both of you guys can even go! Everyone needs a little break, and this would be a sweet surprise.

Write them a love letter

Get them their favorite flowers, and write a handwritten letter for them. It’s such a simple way to express your adoration and love for someone. They can always reread this letter, when they have a bad day or just because. 

Love Jar

A love jar is just a little jar with sheets of paper. Now for a love jar, you can make sheets of compliments, inside jokes, memories of a good day, songs, movie or book recommendations, etc. This is such a simple and constant reminder of your love. Grab a paper after a tough day, or when you miss them, and you suddenly feel so much better. 

Romantic Picnic

If you want to take the food idea to the next level, then have a picnic! If your partner doesn’t like sitting on the grass, etc, you can always have it on the table at a park. You can go for a romantic walk after, and get coffee, etc. You can buy tea sandwiches and fancy little pastries. Have fun with it, it’s your day too!

write little love notes around the house

This is an expansive version of the love jar. It would be a cute surprise if you hid it around the apartment or house. Maybe even a scavenger hunt for a bigger gift, either way, it’s very simple and adorable. Just paper, pen/pencil, and that’s it!

send them a flower/chocolate delivery

I don’t know about you, but I would love it if someone surprised me with flower/chocolate deliveries. Maybe at work or when they go home, etc. This might be a bit pricey, but if you know your partner is a big romantic, this would be a nice and simple way. Especially if you both are busy, you can show you didn’t forget about Valentine’s day and them!

Conclusion

These are 10 simple ways to show your loved ones, that you love them on Valentine’s Day. Most of these are accessible and affordable to make, which makes great memories. Something heartfelt and really thoughtful is bound to make a great memory for Valentine’s day. I wish you all the best for Valentine’s day, and if you have a valentine or not, I hope you have a great time!


Hey, I’m Sejal! I help people on their journey to become the best versions of themselves. My blog the lazy gal is about self-improvement and has guides, tips, and much more. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram, and don’t hesitate to say hi! Read my newest post and all my other links here!

blogmas, Minimalism

5 Intentional Gifts To Give Your Valentine

mindbeautysimplicity

Valentines Day is quickly approaching! Whether you have that special someone or you simply want to show your love to family & friends, I feel like we all tend to focus on the love language of gift giving this season. And although I find gifts to be one way to show love & appreciation, I also know there are more intentional ways to go about it. You don’t need to be spending tons of money trying to impress that special person in your life. And I think it’s important to not let consumerism dictate any holiday. Today, I wanted to share five intentional & more practical ways to shower that special someone with love.

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You Might Also Like: How To Gift More Practically

The Gift of Time

One of the most underrated ways to show appreciation is the gift of time. We tend to forget how fast time flies & how priceless time can be. This time of year especially, place effort in making that phone call to a friend or family member. Plan a fun activity to do with someone you really care about. And prioritize your energy on the right ones too. Really ask yourself who truly adds brightness to your life & showcase that by carving out time for them. When you weed out the ones who don’t deserve it, you realize how much time you really have to give to those who do.

DIY Greeting Cards

The greeting card industry is a hot commodity. I swear there’s a card for pretty much any occasion. And I personally think cards are a great way to show someone you care or are thinking of them. What makes a card even better though, is putting little extra love & effort by letting those creative juices flow. Collect some construction paper, scissors, markers or even print out images or prints to really personalize it. I think when we make a card more personal, it holds a lot more meaning. Don’t forget to add a heartfelt message as well.

A Photo Jar or Album

I love reminiscing on specific memories or moments & photos are a great way to capture them. One of my favorite gifts my husband gave me when we were dating was a photo jar filled with rolled up prints. To this day, I love looking through them & thinking back on a few of our most memorable times. Scrapbooks or photo books are easy ways to showcase times that you enjoyed with a specific person & it lets that person know it meant something to you. Not only this, but it’s a great way to look back fondly on experiences that allows you to want to make more in the future.

Give The Gift of Adventure

Experiences are my favorite types of gifts because they are clutter free & allow a person to make new memories. You can either plan a day of activities to do together or you can surprise them with an event or activity for a future date. Some of my favorite experience gifts include hiking trips, movie dates, bookstore trips, weekend getaways, Topgolf or mani/pedis.

You Might Also Like: 50 Clutter Free Gift Ideas

Help Them Out With Something

Is there something they’ve needed help with? Or is there something that could make their life easier? In some instances, it could simply be accompanying them while they run errands or help them with a project. The love language of acts of service, when done right & with good intentions can be very meaningful to a person.

You Might Also Like: How To Truly Love Yourself

Conclusion

Regardless if Valentines is coming up or not – I believe thinking more intentionally with gift giving is a better mindset to practice. I also believe these acts of appreciation can be done any day of the year. It’s always nice to show someone you love & care about them. I hope this list of intentional gifts sparks inspiration for you. let me know some ways you are celebrating love this month / self care

sending so much love & appreciation to all my readers. you brighten my day with all your comments & am so grateful for all of you.

-B

advice, Minimalism, Minimalism

How to Gift More Practically

mindbeautysimplicity

Call me a Grinch, but I find gifts to be quite self serving & a form of clutter that really can get out of hand. Safe to say, I don’t fall under that type of love language. You’re probably reading this & thinking, “that ungrateful bitch.” But even the Grinch said it right – all those gifts you receive or desire ends up where? In your garbage! And it’s not only the winter season that causes so much gifting stress. It’s an all year round toxic cycle that needs to be reevaluated. This is why instead of saving this PSA for the holiday season, I’m stressing this change in habits now because thanks to Hallmark cards & commercialism, there’s always an excuse to gift someone.

And no, I’m not saying you should NEVER buy someone anything or boycott gift giving all together. We can’t let our hearts shrink to a thimble. But I think we need to consider a few things before we make a purchase. In the past, I’ve discussed the issues of impulse purchasing, shopping addictions & being more intentional with our spending habits. Be sure to check out my intentional spending blog post after you read this one. These reminders hold true when it comes to gifting others.

I’m guilty to say, over the years one of my biggest culprits to clutter & maintaining a minimalistic home, are the items that come in from other people. And although I stay appreciative & understand not everyone lives a less is more lifestyle, it can become frustrating when you are constantly making donation runs trying to combat the chaos. Over time, I’ve had to be rather forceful & state we don’t need xyz, we prefer gift cards if anything & honestly – we just want their time.

This year, I want to make the conscious effort to gift more practically. And I’ve come up with a list of a few gift ideas I plan to consider when the situation arises.

Food

I think food whether it’s bake goods, a meal or even a gift card to someone’s favorite restaurant are great sustainable gift options. Now, I will admit we had someone return a restaurant gift card back to us, so maybe tread lightly with that suggestion. It did allow us to have a lovely date night at the Cheese Cake Factory – so win win for us. In general, I think food is a lovely option because there’s a stronger chance it will get eaten instead of being wasted. During the holiday season, we enjoy making cookies, so if you have leftovers – feel free to send those off to loved ones or for a dinner party dessert. If you want to be even more creative & add a hint of experience to the gift – you can always surprise someone with cooking lessons [ but always consider who you are gifting when making these decisions ].

Gift Cards

I’m personally a fan of gifting gift cards. I feel like it allows the person to have an experience or treat themselves when they see fit. Be aware of the potential “returning situation” like I mentioned above. I feel like that’s a rare occurrence & most people are appreciative. I personally love gift cards to Barnes & Noble [ follow book worm over here] or certain department stores. Instead of giving something someone may or may not use, you allow them to choose something they may truly want or need when they wish to buy something.

Photo Album

Personal gifts are one of my favorites & showcasing photographs with a specific friend or memory is a nice way to let someone know how much they mean to you & cherish their time with said person. For instance, my now husband gifted me a jar of rolled up photographs of our memories together that year. He knows how much I enjoy our adventures & capturing said moments, so this with an added note reading, “the best gifts are the memories we make together” really made my day. And I display the jar of photos in our living room to this day for the daily reminder.

Books

As minimalistic as I try to be, I will always find books to be worth buying. I do have a rule of selling / donating the books that are 3 stars or one’s I plan to never re-read. But I’m always looking for recommendations. If someone comes up to me & says, “I love this book & you need to check it out – 95% of the time I will read it. Will I always keep said book in my collection? No, but I’m always itching to read & add to my TBR.

Experiences

This can be as broad or simple as you wish it to be. It can be checking out a local coffee shop or ice cream parlor. Or it can be an extravagant 10 day vacation. I always believe traveling is worth the money. Those travels gain you memories, culture & help you grow as individuals. For instance, my husband & I plan to hopefully go to a lantern festival this summer. It acts as a creative date night & a new experience we can cross off our bucket list. Other experience related activities could include: going on a hike, visiting a new state, play top golf, spend the day at a theme park or even check out a new restaurant.

Help Complete a Task

I’m not the biggest fan of favors. I think people can take advantage of a person’s good nature. I definitely want to go more in depth on that topic in terms of boundary setting in a later post. But I think if done right & for the right person, helping them with a task or completing something is an appreciative gesture. Whether it’s helping someone move to a new house, gardening or painting, to name a few things – not only are you helping them but you are also spending time with that person as well.

What are some other practical gifts you can think of?

-B