Most people think Valentine’s Day is a day for love created by capitalists to spur economic activity. In reality, the history of Valentine’s Day can be traced to the establishment of the Feast of Saint Valentine on February 14 by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 to commemorate the death of Saint Valentine of Rome. It became associated with romantic love in the 14th and 15th centuries, and today, people celebrate Valentine’s Day by expressing their love through giving gifts, going out on dates, and showing other extraordinary acts of affection and commitment.
Here in Spain, Valentine’s Day isn’t really as celebrated as in the Philippines or in the United States. My husband, however, still tries to exert some kind of effort for Valentine’s Day. When we were still dating, he would give me a huge bouquet of flowers and we would go out for dinner, and these acts would always tickle my heart. Now that we share one bank account, I don’t like receiving flowers anymore because they die in a week and it’s a waste of money. We can’t go out for dinner, as well, because I don’t want to pay for childcare just so we can go out to eat dinner. We can leave one child with his mom, but two toddlers with his mom is stretching it. They’re quite a handful when together.
In the end, I feel what mothers really like for mother’s day is not anymore some extraordinary act of undying devotion and love, but just simple things like giving her the time to be alone and enjoy not having to take care of the household. So, in my opinion, these are the best gifts for mothers on Valentine’s Day:
1. Spa Day
Treat your wife to a spa day: a day where she can just enjoy being alone and pampering herself. Give her the whole enchilada: a massage, haircut, manicure, pedicure, footspa, and facial. Time alone without kids: check. Beautifying time: Check. Double win.
2. Lunch or Dinner Date
Moms, on top of working, keep the house clean, take care of the kids, give the kids a bath, and cook everyday. Treat your wife out by not letting her cook for the day. Treat her to her favorite restaurant. I personally love Japanese food. I can’t prepare Japanese food at home, so if I go out, I like to eat Japanese. Your wife, for sure, has a favorite restaurant, or you can try out a new restaurant, or if you have the budget for it, a Michelin-starred restaurant. It will be a good experience. Don’t feel constrained to take her out for dinner if you will just be worrying about kids and will have the extra expense of having to get childcare. Just go out for lunch.
3. Staycation (either in a hotel or at home)
Give your wife a staycation. If you can afford it, check her in a nearby hotel where she can spend time alone: watching TV, going to the salon, going to the mall, or going to the boutiques. If you’re trying to save (like us – because it’s cool to save), just give mom a break. It doesn’t have to be on Valentine’s day but give her one day free of chores: no cooking, no taking care of the kids, no cleaning. Nothing. She can stay at home, but give her the remote control to the TV. When the kids cry out that they’re hungry, prepare the food for the kids. When the kids need bath, don’t even bother calling mom: just give the kids a bath. Give her a day off. It will be heaven. She gets to be with her kids, but none of the responsibilities of feeding them or taking care of them. One million wins!
4. An item that they really want to buy but feel it’s too expensive
Every person has this one item that they really want to buy, but feel it’s too extravagant to spend money on. It could be perfume; it could be diamond earrings; it could be shoes; it could be a designer bag; or it could even be as simple as a scented candle. For me, I’ve always wanted a scented candle. I’ve purchased cheaper candles that when lighted, don’t make a scent. I remember I had one in the Philippines that was gifted to me. It was a Yankee candle. I checked it on Amazon, and I can’t even justify spending $30 on a candle. So for me, I would really appreciate receiving a scented candle. My mother-in-law, I feel, would appreciate receiving a really nice artificial floral bouquet that can be used as decoration at home, or Skechers ballet flats. My husband would probably like a Lacoste shirt or long-sleeved button-down polo shirt. Everyone has this one item. Ask them. It’s better to ask than to buy something for your wife that she wouldn’t even use or like. Ask for a list of things your wife likes to receive, and choose something from the list that matches your budget. Better yet, just give her the cash.
