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It’s impossible not to notice the sea of pink and red flooding our stores and the sudden competition for dinner reservations. Yes, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!
This year, we’re not just celebrating romance, we’re celebrating love.
After all, Scripture tells us love—the selfless, neighborly kind—is the mark of a faithful life.
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
In the spirit of that command, here are 10 simple ways to love your neighbor this Valentine’s Day.
1. Volunteer at a local food pantry
Help unpack and sort donations at your community food pantry, connecting people in need to nutritious meals. Or, if you’re short on time, buy a few extra items at the grocery store and donate them.
2. Start a fundraiser on social media
Invite your friends and followers to support a cause you’re passionate about. Post a donation link to a reputable nonprofit to your feed, share what the cause means to you and encourage people to give back.
3. Thrift a cute baking dish, fill it with something yummy and give it away
Head to your local Salvation Army Thrift Store to find a unique baking dish. Then use it to give a homemade casserole or dessert to a neighbor. Not only will you brighten someone’s day, but you’ll help the planet and support no-cost rehabilitation centers in your community.
4. Write a kind letter to someone who might be lonely
Write friendly Valentines for seniors, military personnel or missionaries who may be missing their loved ones this time of year. Ask your kids to help add a little color to the cards with drawings or stickers.
5. Offer to babysit for busy parents so they can go on a date
Between paying for childcare, dinner and an activity, date night can be an expensive endeavor for parents. If you know a couple that can use some alone time this Valentine’s Day, consider volunteering to watch their kids as a free gift to them.
6. Remind someone Jesus loves them
Send an encouraging note to a friend reminding them of Jesus’s love, or forward them a daily affirmation from Scripture.
7. Plan a date night at a locally owned restaurant, then leave a positive review
Support local entrepreneurs with your Valentine’s Day plans by visiting a local restaurant, then leave a positive comment online encouraging others to do the same.
8. Spend half an hour picking up litter at your local park
Help beautify your neighborhood by spending some time at the park picking up litter. Make sure to use gloves and sort out items that can be recycled.
9. Give a genuine compliment to a stranger
If you see something beautiful in someone, speak it. Compliment your cashier’s manicure or a passerby’s smile. Acknowledge the people who brighten your community just by being themselves.
10. Organize a coat drive for neighbors in need
Help your neighbors stay warm this winter by collecting jackets, coats and blankets to give to your local Salvation Army for distribution.
Do Good:
- Imagine we had a good-living modern village with real talk, real stories and real support for being human and hopeful. Join the Hopefuls Collective and find a place of low-pressure, high-encouragement love anytime you need it, whether you know it or not. Get in the group today.
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