"Without Valentine’s Day, February would be...well, January." Jim Gaffigan
The air is filled with love – or slightly more filled than usual. Sure, we try to make sure those we love feel appreciated all the time. But thanks to that specially designated mid-February day, we have the opportunity to take it up a notch and express our love with a little extra oomph.
Valentine’s Day for older adults is the perfect love alarm clock, reminding us to tell spouses, significant others, friends, kids and grandkids just how much they mean to us. If the Valentine’s gift ideas are not exactly flowing, here are some suggestions to help get to the, um…heart of the occasion.
"All You need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!?" Charles Schulz
Tried and True
When it comes to Valentine’s gifts for your wife, you can’t go wrong with the traditional choices. A dozen roses and a box of chocolates are sure to bring a smile to her face. If you want even more spousal points, make sure those roses are her favorite color. And choose the chocolates you know she loves. Better yet, choose her favorite treat instead, the one you know will melt her heart.
"An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets the more interested he is in her." - Agatha Christie
Create Quality Time
When it comes to the perfect Valentine’s Day for older adults, nothing beats the gift of quality time. Whether it’s a special stroll in the park, or an intimate lunch at your favorite café, meaningful time spent with family, new friends or catching up with an old friend, will make Valentine’s Day a special occasion.
Take it one step further by scoring tickets to a local sporting event or a museum exhibition. Or get tickets to a show and enjoy an afternoon or evening at the theater. If we’re talking grandkids, you will be a hero if you get tickets to see Disney on Ice! Make sure to dress appropriately as it is in the ice rink and you will be, well…frozen!
"I am a very committed wife. And I should be committed, too—for being married so many times." Elizabeth Taylor
Gifts From the Heart
Valentine’s day gifts for husbands or wives do not have to break the bank. Find a photograph that highlights a treasured memory from your shared past. Enlarge and frame it. Voila! A personal and special Valentine's present. Create a collage of old letters and photos and you’ll have a great gift as well as a piece of wall art. If you’re looking for a perfect Valentine for the grandchildren, find an old photo of yourself at their age. They will love seeing you as a kid. The picture can be the catalyst for a conversation about your childhood and the differences and similarities to theirs.
Had enough of overpriced, rushed, chaotic holiday dining in restaurants? Picture instead a cozy, intimate evening for two in your own Overture, state-of-the-art active adult apartment. Your favorite recipe, a bottle of wine, and the vintage movie of your choice will set the tone for romance. If you are currently unattached, spread the word to your other single buddies and make it a potluck group event.
Celebrate Community
If you are lucky enough to live in an active adult community, your options for Valentine’s Day activities are virtually unlimited. There are bound to be great choices for spending the holiday with friends – and neighbors who will soon become friends. Choose from options like a group fitness class, cooking demo, happy hour, or a shared movie experience. Valentine’s Day will be fun, inclusive, and memorable.
"Love thy neighbor—and if he happens to be tall, debonair, and devastating, it will be that much easier." - Mae West
Whether you are blissfully attached, looking for love, or happily single looking for a group of like-minded peers with whom to celebrate life, Overture’s premier active adult communities are all about accommodating and enhancing your retirement lifestyle. Book a tour at the community of your choice today and find out why more and more seniors are saying Overture is where the heart is.
"Love is a lot like a backache. It doesn’t show up on x-rays, but you know it’s there." - George Burns
Happy Valentine’s Day!