We don’t really do Valentine’s Day. It’s not that we have anything against it, we just try to dodge what my husband calls “Hallmark Holidays.” We avoid things like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Grandparents’ Day for similar reasons, but we make sure to celebrate these concepts throughout the year instead.
If I do decide to do something for Valentine’s, I usually make my husband some chocolate truffles or whip up a batch of homemade massage butter—and promise him a massage, of course!
It’s worth mentioning that while Valentine’s Day is traditionally thought of as the feast day for Saint Valentine, there’s actually not much known about the multiples saints named Valentine, which led to its removal from the Roman Calendar. February 14th is actually the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius on my calendar.
My husband might be onto something with his financial boycott of Valentine’s Day. According to Business Insider, the average person spends over $120 on gifts, meals, and entertainment. That’s a lot of cards and candy, considering 141 million cards are exchanged, and more than fifteen billion dollars get spent overall. It seems this spending spree might pay off in romance, as more at-home pregnancy tests are sold in March than any other month!
Am I against celebrating love? Not at all. I just prefer to skip the traditional route. Usual Valentine’s gifts like cards, chocolate (unless it’s 80% dark and organic), and stuffed animals don’t really excite me. Plus, it bugs me how this holiday is often an excuse for kids to eat more candy and adults to indulge in unhealthy foods.
Does that mean we ignore Valentine’s Day and treat it like any other day? Definitely not. Here’s my take: a romantic dinner at home with my husband, with maybe the kids staying over at the grandparents’. I might make some massage butter and sometimes give a physical gift. Our menu at home would include Mongolian Beef from my cookbook (also a great gift idea!), served over cauliflower rice, with a spinach salad and homemade vinaigrette, ending with dark chocolate fondue and fruit for dessert. It’s a lovely treat even if we’re the ones cooking.
Thanks to a great couples massage course we took, my husband has become quite the skilled masseur—when he feels like it! Conventional massage lotions often make my skin break out, so I started making my own massage butter. I adore this rich recipe that keeps my skin super soft without sulfates or parabens—and no breakouts!
This massage butter also works beautifully as a regular body butter. It’s thick and ultra-soothing for the skin. Because it doesn’t have liquid ingredients, it lasts at least six months, although the essential oil scent might fade a little. I usually make small batches and whip up more when needed, or simply add more essential oils over time.
Have you ever made a massage butter? What’s your favorite scent? Feel free to share!
