It’s almost here! That day smothered in red & pink and probably either makes you get all giddy or makes you want to vomit a little.
Well I want to change that.
I realllyyyy believe love should be celebrated and practiced throughout the year (don’t we all?), BUT I also believe there’s NOTHING wrong with going all out for one day. Or weekend. Or in my case basically a month because my husband’s birthday is also in February, HA.
But I think some of us have this crazy pressure to do this that we “think” we should be doing. You know what I’m talking about. The typical gross packaged chocolate and basic red roses (because THAT apparently means you love someone).
Guess what? You don’t have to do anything REMOTELY similar to that, and you can still knock it out of the park! Surprise your loved one with something they actually might enjoy, rather than what everyone else has deemed as appropriate. And I’m here to give you a few ideas.
And heeeeyyyyyy if you’re single, don’t sign off yet!! V-day can be about yourself & your friends too!
So I’ve come up with this kinda messy, very imperfect, but hopefully helpful guide to Valentine’s Day in the Port City. Ideas, gifts, activities, dinners, it’s all here.
Let’s start here. If you read those words in the graphic above and you know, then you know. You probably have read the 5 Love Languages book or have heard something about it. If you haven’t, don’t worry. Basically, we all receive and give love in different ways, and if someone is only showing you they love you in a way you don’t understand, it can feel like you’re not being loved at all. The opposite is also true. If someone shows you they love you by doing something that resonates with your love language, you will hear it SO MUCH MORE. Trust me. This stuff is magic.
Haven’t you ever received a present and just been like meh? Or maybe it’s the opposite for you. Maybe thoughtful gifts are SO incredible to receive! And maybe someone bringing you your favorite coffee screams that they care about you more than anything they could say or give you.
See where I am going with this?
I encourage you to read up on the love languages. Start there. Take an online quiz. As for me? I’m all about Acts of Service. Nothing like a clean house that I didn’t clean that makes me soo happy hahaha I’m so boring ;P
Anyway, I’m going to structure this guide in the form of love languages. Annnnd let’s start with Words of Affirmation.
Words of Affirmation
Basically, this is expressing your love for another person by a way of spoken words, praises, affection, and appreciation.
Guess what! There’s a freaking easy way to do that for someone that is this love language. Cards y’all. Unique, or handmade cards with words from YOU.
I’m not the handmade card type of person. But buying a card doesn’t have to be boring/unthoughtful. Here are two options I LOVE.
Finch & Fleur - These dreamy botanical styled cards are sooo gorgeous. Pour your heart out on one of these beautifully crafted cards and give it to your loved one (OR a best friend!)
If you’re in Wilmington, these cards are in stock at Threve Mercantile in Downtown Wilmington!
Pooki Font - I can’t get over these cheeky but meaningful cards & prints. Want to do something different? Order a wall print and write all your words of affirmation on the back! Two of her options are below.
I have another option to go along with the cards. You will love this.
OneBelle Bakery in Wilmington makes the most incredible, funny cookies. Tell me these aren’t awesome. Get him/her a few with your real feelings, but add a little sass and humor too! But be fast, I have no doubt they will be receiving MANY order this V-day.
Acts of Service
Oooooh, Acts of Service, my favorite. People who are 0% Acts of Service often get the most confused with this one. Like what?! Starting your cold car in the morning is romantic? Yessss sir it is.
Maybe your loved one is Acts of Service, and you’re like WHAT CAN I DO ON V-DAY. Cleaning the house isn’t exactly sexy.
Here’s what I think..Plan a day for them. And I mean PLAN it. Plan the crap out of it, and do it all FOR them. Here are some ideas:
Let them sleep in.
Start with Breakfast in Bed/or brunch at the table. All of THEIR favorite things (again. their favorite, not yours). Don’t let them clean up after either.
Show them their car you cleaned when they weren’t noticing.
Let them know about their massage appointment YOU made for them (or Mani/Pedi). I know my husband has never gotten a professional massage and would probably LOVE one.
Tell them you made plans for dinner. Take them to a restaurant that YOU researched, making sure it was something they would love. Have a babysitter all lined up.
Have dessert picked out from a bakery they love. If they’re gluten free, make sure you got gluten free. And if they hate sweets, SKIP dessert!
The point of this, is that you are taking time to research, plan and DO things for them. Going out of your way to make sure it is all done and taken care of. As long as you are thoughtful with the activities, places, and meals you have prepared (ensuring that your loved one will actually enjoy your choices), then I can assure you it will be veryyy well received.
Are you in the Port City and looking for ideas? Here are some incredible spas & bakeries for you.
Coastal Massage & Spa - They have V-Day specials!
Posh Nails - This is by far my favorite nail salon.
Pink Baking Co. - For glam cupcakes and other desserts, this is the place. They have Vegan & GF and they’re amaaazing.
The Peppered Cupcake - For unique cupcakes, head here. They also offer GF.
Quality Time
This love language is all about giving someone your undivided attention. Basically, putting down your phone, looking into their eyes and having conversations with them. Or doing an activity together that you both LOVE but also love doing TOGETHER. The focus isn’t the activity (or lack of), the focus is the togetherness and the quality of the time you are spending together.
Here’s a few ideas for you:
Plan a mini road trip. This can be a hour drive to a destination you normally don’t go to. If you’re near Wilmington, Southport, Emerald Isle, Beaufort, Swansboro & Oak Island are all some ideas. Don’t use your phone in the car. Turn off the radio and chat for the trip. Ask questions you maybe haven’t asked in awhile.
Plan a romantic, quiet dinner. Pick an upscale restaurant in the area, make reservations, and make sure to leave your phone in the car.
Pick an activity your loved one loooves to do. Maybe this is cooking, or shooting guns, or riding bikes. Look into extra cool options (renting a bike on Wrightsville, going for a horseback ride, signing up for cooking classes, reserving the range) and do them together!
Here are some ideas to help you out:
Desperado Horse Farm - horseback riding
The Seasoned Gourmet - Cooking classes
Salt & Charm - private cooking classes & private chef services
Aussie Island - bike rentals
Physical Touch
Okay, this one might seem pretty easy. BUT, if this isn’t your primary love language, sometimes we can forget how important physical touch is to your loved ones. I say we because this definitely is not my love language, and I forget that even a touch of a hand or a hug can mean SO much.
So basically, you can get as creative as you want. Set aside an hour in the evening, and give your loved one a massage. Give them kisses allllll evening just to show them how much you really, truly, do love them.
However, I have even better ideas, lol.
Book a couples massage. Seriously. Do it. I have never heard of anyone regretting this.
Go to the beach and lay on a blanket and snuggle while watching the waves (and eating doughnuts probably, amirite?)
Make a bubble bath for them. Get them their faaavorite scented bath bomb and lotion. Light candles. Get them their favorite cool snack & iced drink. When they’re done, get them their warmed up towel from the laundry.
Take a yoga class or self defense class together.
Here are some resources to make this stuff happen:
Coastal Massage & Spa - seriously, I tagged them before but they have some amazing things going on rn.
Paradise Bodyworks & Day Spa - they have incredible prices and reviews!
Wrightsville Beach - Go to the south end, park waaay at the end and take the beach access that goes to the inlet. Or head to the north end past Shell Island.
Topsail Island - At this time of year, go to the town of Topsail Beach that’s halfway between Surf City and the South End. It’s so quiet. (and Fractured Prune is right there for those doughnuts).
Old Whaling Co - Get the Sea Berry & Rose Clay set. Trust Me.
Carolina Shores Natural Soap - for natural products and for the best customer service, head to this place on the island (Surf City). Her stuff is amaaaazing.
Gift Giving
Gift giving is the one that takes over on Valentine’s Day. But not necessarily in a good or bad way. Maybe just in a way that isn’t right for everyyyone. Some people might LOVE chocolate & roses. (like i’ll take some gourmet chocolate for sure), but there are sooo many better ideas for someone whose love language is gift giving.
Gift giving is pretty much what it sounds, showing your love through tokens of appreciation and thoughtfulness. It DOES NOT equal materialism. The thought and effort that goes into the gift means so much more than the price tag.
If you’re in the Eastern Carolina area, head to one of the maaanyyy local gift shops for a unique and thoughtful gift for your loved one.
Sugar Island - if my loved one had this love language, I’d head here in a heartbeat. They have the coooolest gifts, books, and food items. On top of that, they have local bouquets from Castle Hayne Farms that are gorgeousssss.
Cheeky Monkey Coffee Company - If he or she loves coffee, get coffee from a local roaster like Cheeky Monkey! They have the coolest mugs and shirts on top of that, and have a beautiful location downtown Wilmington.
Go to any of the local surf shops for locally made t-shirts, mugs, and artwork.
Pick a theme and go all out. For example: floral themed. Get them a floral mug, floral scented body lotion, floral socks, and flowers to go alongside it. Or patriotic themed (for those of you with veteran husbands like myself). Or coffee themed. Or ocean themed.
ARE YOU SINGLE?
Maybe you’re like why did I waste my time reading this entire post if it’s for couples. Guess what? IT’S NOT. I can assure you, your friends and family need to feel loved to. Do something unexpected for them for Valentine’s day.
And if you have some gal friends and want to do something for Galentine’s day? There’s options for you! Specifically:
Flash Bash is hosting a Galentine’s Day hand lettering/card making party at Pink Baking Co. Limited seats!
The Inspiration Lab is also hosting a Galentine’s Day party downtown at the Brooklyn Arts Center. Limited seats!
Feeling a little meh about it all? DO IT FOR YOURSELF. Are you all about physical touch? Book a massage! Quality time? Meditate or do yoga on the beach. Gift Giving? Treat yo’self. (I can think about 10 local shops I’d be at in a heartbeat). Acts of service? Get your car cleaned by someone else. Hire a housekeeper for a day. Order takeout and eat somewhere cool. Words of affirmation? Buy yourself a super cool sign from etsy that has words that speak TO YOU. Words that you can believe in. Hang it on your wall.
Restaurant Ideas
I mentioned restaurant and dinners several times in this blog, so I can’t not post some of my favorites and some that are hosting V-day specials.
Ruth’s Chris - for the big V-day experience, head here. Good luck getting reservations though, they go SO FAST.
Bluewater - they have V-day specials, and a great view of the water.
Steam Restaurant & Bar - they also have v-day specials and a view
Cruz - for the live.eat.surf experience with a more polished feel, head here. It’s right before Wrightsville Beach.
Circa 1922 - for a romantic and fun experience, try their tapas! Located in downtown Wilmington.
Daddy Mac’s - For the only oceanfront dining in Surf City, head here and order some seafood!
Roko Italian - I’ve never been, but have heard only fantastic things. And it has gf options!
Above all else, have fun. Find love each and every day. Celebrate love each and every day. Find new ways to show your love and appreciate those around you. Make sure YOUR love tank is full. Communicate about your love language. Go on dates and coffee meetups. Write cards and letters. Plan fun activities. Go on road trips and talk and talk and talk. DO ALL THE THINGS BECAUSE LIFE IS SOOOO SHORT & PRECIOUS <3
Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third. -Marge Piercy