Share the Love this Valentines Day

T-minus five days until Valentine’s Day and this year, despite everything that is going on, I am feeling particularly lucky.  Thanks to the lockdown (and that his not a phrase I use very often) and the fact the holiday lands on a Sunday I will be sure to spend the whole day with my Valentine.  As I shared in my gift guide post last week we have plans for the evening but this week I am sending extra love to those whose plans are a bit more up in the air.  For those who I can not get to easily I sent a handful of friends flowers and my bridesmaids a little token to tell them I am thinking about them.

For those a bit closer, and understandably, it is a select few I decided to do something a bit unusual but hopefully an effort that they have find heart felt.  While many Valentine’s day traditions are a bit cringe I have partnered up with Design Bundles and their paper cutting design for something that is quite the opposite – to share the love.    Throughout the pandemic, loneliness is something so many of us have been battling with in a holiday celebrating exactly the opposite I wanted to share a few a different ways to spread the love.  While smiles to strangers are free  Design Bundles has pledged to be a part of this cause to combat loneliness and to help spread positivity through creativity and crafting.– whether that’s to loved ones or smiles to strangers. Take a look at how I got a bit crafty decorating, baking, and gifting to try and help shine a light in these dark times.

And while crafting may not be the answer for everyone I wanted to share a few resources for those looking to speak to someone.  There many companies and organizations offering a helping hand at this time and I wanted to share resources and helplines to help battle loneliness for anyone in need.  In the US there is Project Hope, a free, confidential helpline as part of the FEMA response to COVID-19 that you can call any time (844) 863-9314 as well as SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a which is free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year and in both  English and Spanish – (212) 673-3000.  And here in the UK  you can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and you can call 116 123 free from any phone and SANEline can be reached  on 0300 304 7000.  If you know of any others please drop them in the comments, I would love to make sure we share as much as possible!

How are you going to Spread the Love? 

Who are you sending love to this Valentine’s Day?