Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Have you decided what you will do on that day?  You might just want to close your eyes and pretend it does not exist, but it would be dangerous to do so! In the deep recesses of the heart, everyone wants to hear “I love you” on that day. Everyone wants to feel cherished.

So how can you pass this test with flying colours while avoiding as much stress and anxiety as possible?

Here are a few simple suggestions to consider:

Don’t wait until Valentine’s Day to resolve conflict. Let’s face it: even the very best relationships have their rough patches. But if you are going through a time of conflict right now with your loved one, try as much as you can to resolve it before Valentine’s Day. It is very difficult to survive the 14th of February if you are mad at one another. If you need help resolving conflict, read this article: Resolving Conflict

Prepare ahead of time. Waiting until the last moment to get a gift or a card? That is a sure way to increase your stress. A harried choice is rarely the best one. Take time to plan ahead — you won’t regret it.

Don’t say anything you don’t mean. The 14th of February is followed by the 15th, 16th, 17th… One of the worse errors people commit on this day is to declare through word or action a love they are not yet ready to commit to. Sometimes, a funny card is a better choice than a sentimental one if you do not feel comfortable rapturously describing the wonders of this person you are only just beginning to get to know.

Discover your loved one’s likes and dislikes. A small gift chosen with care is often a greater sign of love than a large gift that does not take into account the likes and tastes of the recipient.  If your loved one is allergic to flowers, don’t go offering a bouquet of roses! If he hates chocolate, a huge heart-shaped box full of them will not be sure to please!

To choose well, simply ask yourself the following questions:

• What does he like to eat? What are her favourite meals or desserts?
• When she has free time or extra money, how does she like to spend it?
• Has he mentioned something he would like to buy himself?
• Has she mentioned wanting to do something specific lately?

Celebrate the day according to your means. Once you have come up with your list of things to do or buy, eliminate any that will cause financial hardship or stress. Spending more than you can afford will not help anyone.

A little creativity can go a long way. Often, it only takes simple little creative touches to transform an ordinary activity into an extraordinary one. A few candles, a few love notes left here and there, soft background music…little things like that can create an ambiance that says, “You are so important to me, and I love you!”

Talk about it. Who ever said you have to surprise one another? Nothing prevents you from talking ahead of time about what you would like to do as a couple on Valentine’s Day. It can really reduce stress if you both know what to expect. (After all, isn’t our greatest fear that nothing will be planned at all?) And nothing prevents you from keeping a few little surprises to yourself.

Don’t limit your expressions of love to February 14. This one is obvious right? We learn to express our love and affection by doing it. Try to make a habit of it all through the year, and it will be natural for you to do so on Valentine’s Day. Also take note of how your loved one chooses to express her love to you throughout the year: these are great hints as to how she would love to have you express your love towards her!

Let the greatest love of all inspire you. If love is so very important to us, it’s because the God who is Love created us to reflect him. In the Bible, God expresses his love for us continually, in a multitude of ways! Why not gain inspiration from him? (See God’s love letter for examples of ways God expresses his love towards us.)

Do you have any other suggestions to offer? How will you survive Valentine’s Day this year?

More ways to celebrate your love:

How to write a perfect love letter
Romance for dummies
Has this year been heard? Rekindle your love