Every year, I make heart-shaped chocolates and give them to my close friends. The ingredients only cost $20 for the base chocolate, heart-shaped cutters and Daiso gift bags, so my gift is only $1 per person. But this simple gift is worth more than its price tag since it’s wrapped in love and memories I relived of the person while making the chocolate.
It’s easy to get caught up with the urge to “impress” on Valentine’s. Buying an expensive gift or planning a big surprise can be a quick way to attract someone’s attention. But will this strengthen your relationship? No, these gifts will only be a temporary adrenaline rush and will be soon forgotten. If your friend/partner already loves you, they should already be giving you their full attention.
So, how else can you spice up Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day? You can do something that helps you think more deeply about them and appreciate them more. For example, when I make chocolate, I’m forced to spend more time waiting and thinking rather than when I’m busy at the cash register. I can also customize my chocolate like alter its shape, the type of chocolate used, the decorations and the gift bags, helping me review the person’s preferences.
Making the chocolate also doesn’t have to be an individual activity either. You can make new memories with friends by turning the baking into a team effort! This should be a more challenging and memorable experience than simply shopping together.
I want to remind everyone that Valentine’s is not a competition to impress. It’s a special day when you can dedicate more time and effort to feel and express love for important people in your life. If you can do that all with a $1 handmade chocolate, you don’t need a $70 bouquet.