Valentine's Day for Free

I can hardly believe Valentine's Day is here again so soon, but as it is just around the corner I thought I would compile a quick list of fun ways to celebrate it. I know there are lots of people who like me, don't go for the commercialised aspect of Valentine's Day, with all of its marketing and production line-style gifts. I have only once fallen prey to the set menu dinner, which was a whirl of food slammed on the table, a packaged rose and then out! Never again! I also prefer to wait until the actual day is over to mark the occassion, if I do decide to go out for a meal, to avoid the manufactured feeling and price-tag! If you are trying to think of a more home-made way to show your love and have a little fun, maybe my list will help!

1. Make your own card - Let out your inner artist and create something original.

2. Go for a walk - Try a new place that you have always wanted to go to, but haven't got round to. It's fun to explore a new place together. Secret London is full of hidden gems!

3. Play a game - Embrace that inner child and play a board game or make one up with its own rules, forfeits and prizes!

4. Cook a meal together - Choose a course each or share the prepping, cooking and cleaning up. 

5. Bake biscuits - Fun and delicious! These biscuit recipes are from BBC Good Food.

6. Write a love letter - Or write one each and read them out together. Make it even more special with beautiful handmade or recycled paper. You could use tissue paper or create a wash with water colours.

7. Dress up, wear a wig, choose outfits for each other and go out! This one is really fun as no one else will get the joke!

8. Have a living room disco - A personal favourite!

9. Leave love messages around - Write on the mirror with soap and stick up Post-it notes declaring your love!

10. Create a photo montage - A fun way to remember shared memories.

11. Try out a Treasure Trail or guided walk - This is similar to Number 2, but the research and hard work is done for you.  Treasure Trails (UK-wide, downloadable or they can come by post) and my favourite London walks - Green City Walks. Inexpensive and loads of fun! 

12. Paint a picture of each other  (It doesn't matter whether you can paint, it's about having fun!)

13. Make a music compilation - Remember the days of the mixed tape? A lovely way to capture your favourite special songs and share with your lover.

14. Give a massage - Here are the basics to get you started, but if you're experienced, go with your instincts. Massage basics by Easy Vigour and here's a massage technique video by Alexazoic.

15. Create your own floral display - Using a little imagination you can make a supermarket bunch of flowers look more original. Mix two small bunches together, unwrap and re-wrap with your own paper, or mix in some foliage you have picked yourself. I prefer simple flowers to overly dressed-up bouquets :) Try this spring flower arrangement video by Mel1408 for inspiration.

16. Make cocktails - Whatever your tipple, alcoholic or non, teas, coffees or juices, be creative and name your new drink for your lover.

17. Take a class together - Learning sparks the creativity and imagination, so doing a new activity together is not only fun, but can be a bonding experience!

18. Try out a new sport - similar to Number 17.

19. Watch an old movie - Snuggle up and enjoy!

20. Talk to each other - If you do nothing else, do this one! And talk whenever you can - this is what keeps us connected and bonded to one another.

Of course they say the best things in life are free, so let your imagination go wild! I could have mentioned poetry, writing a song, making a gift, performing a dance...

And there are dozens of single's Valentine's events, for example: Where to Celebrate Being Single by Fluid London.

I will be marking the occasion with The Muppets new film and watching my cousin's band Leo's Garden perform at The Water Rats, London, and a combo of ideas from above. Have fun whatever you do and leave me a comment if you have an idea to share! :)

Self-Coaching Tip - Take Short 'Fun Breaks'

"Fun is good." - Dr. Seuss

When was the last time you took a break during the working day for some fun?

I often start the day with a long 'to do' list, but I always throw in a couple of 'fun items' too - these are things which I enjoy and don't consider to be work (even though I do actually enjoy most of my work too). Quite often though, the 'fun items' get scrapped from the list, because other jobs have taken longer or new work has come into the equation. Obviously, that happens sometimes, but this self-coaching tip is really for those who are not allowing themselves to have a break - and are constantly working, resulting in them feeling stressed and actually not being able to relax, even at bed-time. 

So, to benefit from this tip, make time for a fun activity - it doesn't need to be long, and it needs to be something which you like, preferably something which means you have to move around a bit. It could be as simple as throwing paper balls into a bin or making a mini golf course in your office or living room.

It doesn't matter what the activity is; the onus here is on getting into a playful state - one which is curious and excited.

Write your fun activity onto your list and make sure you do it! No scrapping it from the list - it only has to be for a few minutes. Focus fully on the activity while you are doing it and when you've had a little fun, go back to work, knowing that you will have some more fun soon. Do this regularly to increase your productivity and improve your ability to relax after you stop working.

 In NLP terms, this is called a 'break state' where you are shifting from a work-state to a play-state, for example. Regular breaks like these will keep you feeling refreshed and energised. It's as much to do with moving to a new physical position as it is to do with toggling between left and right brain activities. And it works for me.

As ever, please share your thoughts or ideas by leaving me a comment here or on Facebook or Twitter :)

Early Christmas Countdown

Hand-made advent calendar made by Charlotte

This year the Christmas break is going to be a bit different for me as things are a bit up in the air with regards to moving home. So I decided that I am going to get prepared with gifts and put up my decorations super early, which explains this post. It is probably (and hopefully) my last Christmas in this house, so I am going to make the most of it. Pictures to come soon!