Valentine's Day Is for Everyone

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Valentine’s Day Is for Everyone

by Aleasa Word, FAACT Vice President of Inclusion Initiatives

February 2025

Over the years, Valentine’s Day has evolved into a holiday that embraces all kinds of love, not just the classic “romantic” variety we see in movies or read about in novels. Sure, plenty of couples still celebrate with candlelit dinners and red roses, but Valentine’s Day has grown into an opportunity for anyone—no matter their relationship status—to show appreciation, care, and support for the people (and sometimes pets!) around them. People celebrate “Love Myself Day,” “Galentine’s Day,” and just about any variation that feels right to them. And that’s what makes this holiday so beautiful—it’s an invitation for everyone to find a way to feel included and connected. And we certainly could use some love and connection in today’s world.

The focus on inclusion and community are especially important if you’re navigating life with a food allergy or if you love someone who is. Getting together can require some planning and expanded thinking, because you will want to ensure the environment is safe for everyone. Of course, with the right preparation, a Valentine’s Day gathering can be not only safe but also incredibly fun. In fact, once you learn to think beyond the usual chocolate hearts, you might discover creative ways to celebrate that are even more memorable.

Here are some of my favorite non-food ideas for celebrating Valentine’s Day below. Don’t worry if you don’t get a chance to do them all or “do them right.” The goal is to have fun!

Love Your Neighbor

Celebrate Heritage Months: February is Black History Month. There are celebrations going on all over the country in recognition of great leaders and community advocates who provided a rich part of America’s history.
Learn about others not like you: Ask what they love about their history.

Food-Free Classroom Activities

Heart-making station: Decorate hearts for the classroom or friends.
Heart tree trimming: Create a “love tree” bulletin board. Have each student write something nice about someone.
Card exchanges: Encourage students to make or bring Valentine’s cards to exchange instead of candy.
Small toy exchanges: Instead of food treats, swap small erasers, pencils, or stickers.

Gift Card Exchanges

Adults and kids alike might also want to show appreciation for their friends, co-workers, or neighbors in a fun, low-pressure way. Consider picking up gift cards from places that people might not ordinarily think of:

Dollar Tree: This works for a mini shopping spree, crafting supplies, or household goods.
Five Below: Perfect for people who love fun shirts, books, and a whole lot more.
Bealls or Ollie’s: Discount stores where shoppers can find bargains on all sorts of things.
Convenience stores or gas stations: Many people appreciate having a few extra dollars for gas or getting that morning cup of coffee for free.

“Everybody Dates” Night

Valentine’s Day does not have to be about couples’ romance. Sometimes it’s nice to get everyone together—couples, singles, friends, and family—for fun group time. Here are a few non-traditional ideas:

Paint parties: Painting at home, painting with a twist, sip & paint, or kids night out with paint. Any of these will work as long as you have fun!
Ice skating parties: If you live in a colder climate or have an indoor rink nearby, this might be a terrific winter valentine event.
Craft parties: Stock up on paint, glitter, glue, and other art supplies, then gather friends for a DIY craft night.
Girls’ or guys’ night out: Sometimes it’s just nice to get together with friends and hit a local restaurant, see a movie, or play board games.
Family/community gatherings: Think about organizing a neighborhood get-together at a local community center for families.
Red Book Night: Everyone brings a book with a red cover. The book can be in any genre—romance, mystery, fantasy, self-help, you name it. Share your favorite passage with others.

Hearts for Charity

Think about helping others on Valentine’s Day:

Paper hearts with donation amounts: Cut out paper hearts and write suggested donation amounts (like $1, $5, $10) on them. Hang them around your workplace, church, or community center and let people “purchase” a heart to display.
Card-making for shelters: Have a crafting session where everyone creates Valentine’s Day cards with uplifting messages to deliver to shelters. Personal notes can brighten someone’s day.
Online giving: If in-person fundraisers aren’t feasible, set up an online donation page. Share the link on social media and encourage friends to share a photo of a heart (or a Valentine’s message) once they donate.

Shoes for Love

If you want to get a bit more specific with your charitable efforts, consider hosting a shoe drive, especially for children in need:

Partner with a local organization: Do a quick search in your area or call around to find out who might be accepting shoe donations. Set up your drop off spot and go for it!
Promote it on social media: Let people know the drive is happening. Post on social media, put up flyers, or spread the word through local community groups.

Donate Hair

Looking for an even more personal way to give? Consider donating hair to organizations like Locks of Love. Children dealing with medical hair loss could use a little extra love and support, and your donation can help them feel more comfortable and confident.

Check the guidelines: Each organization has its own requirements for length, hair type, and how to package your donation. Be sure to follow the guidelines.
Host a hair donation party: If you know several people who are interested, turn it into a mini event. You could even invite a local hair stylist to do the honors.
Make it symbolic: Write a short note about why you’re donating and attach it to the hair donation. It can be a powerful gesture of solidarity and empathy.

Valentine’s Day is about celebrating the people you care about. If everyone feels comfortable, relaxed, and included, that’s what truly matters.