20 Valentine’s Day traditions to start this year

There are various Valentine’s Day traditions that have to do with puzzles, but they can be a little complex. Put a simple spin on the tradition by putting together a puzzle with your loved one, or do the activity by yourself if you want a distraction from the holiday. 

Another worldwide Valentine’s Day tradition is to carve a wooden spoon and give it to your lover. If you’re an avid woodworker, spend the day getting into the tradition. If you’re not an avid woodworker, perhaps you can get into the hobby. 

Every flower means something different. If you want to send a special message to a special someone, hide the message in a bouquet and have the recipient decode the message. 

Rather than celebrating romantic love on Valentine’s Day, spend the day celebrating the other love in your life, like that which you share with friends or family members. If you want to give friendship its own day, celebrate Galentine’s Day on February 13. 

In Germany, it’s a Valentine’s Day tradition to give someone a gift that’s related to pigs. If you continue this tradition, your loved one will amass a collection of special pig-shaped gifts after a few years. They’ll have you to thank.

Another German Valentine’s Day tradition is to give out heart-shaped gingerbread cookies. If you’re especially handy with icing, you can leave a special message on your cookies.  

Okay, this one might be rather difficult to achieve, but it is possible. In the Philippines, it’s common for couples to get married en masse on Valentine’s Day as a way to save money. If you’re in the country on Valentine’s Day, see if you can watch one. 

In Japan, it’s customary for women to give men chocolates on Valentine’s Day. While it is fun to be spoiled on the holiday, consider the reverse this year. 

Who says Valentine’s Day needs to be confined to just one day? Other holidays like Halloween and Christmas get an entire month of celebration. Start giving Valentine’s Day a week of fanfare. 

Once again, other holidays get far more pomp and circumstance than Valentine’s Day. Don’t reserve your outdoor decorations for Halloween and Christmas. Put up some outdoor decorations this February, like some red lights or some heart-shaped balloons. 

In certain countries in South America, it’s tradition to give an anonymous gift to loved ones on Valentine’s Day. Start this fun tradition in your own life this year. Just, you know, don’t be weird about it. Don’t give an anonymous gift to someone you don’t know. 

In some Scandinavian countries, loved ones exchange anonymous joke letters on Valentine’s Day. This could be another fun tradition to start, but like with the anonymous gift, make sure it’s only given to people you actually know and that it doesn’t say anything mean. 

Spend your Valentine’s Day baking. Baked goods are a great way to show your loved ones how much you care about them, and it’s an inexpensive way to give Valentines to lots of people. 

Get into poetry this Valentine’s Day. Write an ode to the love of your life, or dedicate a few stanzas to your best friends. It’s a great way to flex your creative muscles and give someone a really meaningful gift. 

Try making some novelty chocolates this Valentine's Day. If you purchase reusable molds, you’ll be able to make this a tradition, and you’ll save money on chocolate each year. Your friends and family will look forward to receiving your gift. 

Make your Valentine work to read your message. Write them a note in a different language, and don’t tell them which language it is. Switch the language each year so that they always have to decode the message. 

It’s traditional in many countries to give balloons as a Valentine’s Day gift. Make the tradition a little more unique this year by getting into balloon art. You can make it customary each year to give a loved one a different balloon shape. 

In Romania, it’s tradition to wash your face in the snow on Valentine’s Day. This may not be achievable where you live, but if it is, it could be a fun and unique tradition to implement this year. 

If you’re spending your Valentine’s Day at home this year, make it special by cooking a new recipe. It can be a side dish you’ve always wanted to try or an old favorite of your significant other’s that you’ve never made before. 

In Thailand, some loved ones spend Valentine’s Day together doing activities like skydiving or bungee jumping. You don’t have to engage in those exact activities, but if there’s a risk you’ve been wanting to take for a while, use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to do it.