Spook Up Your Apartment

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching! With current events, finding a place to go for your Valentine’s Day date night might seem challenging but it doesn’t have to be. Date nights from home can be just as romantic and special as they would be if you were to go out to a fancy restaurant. Check out these 6 ideas for you and your significant other! Cook your favorite meal If you can’t go to a restaurant, bring one to your home! Look up a meal that you both decide on or one that you have never attempted to cook before and give it a try...together! Cooking is a great way to bond. Put your devices away and enjoy the moment you have together. Your meal can be something that you are both proud of. You can get dressed up and set your table as if you are in a restaurant or make it fun and have a picnic in the living room! Movie Night Movie night is a classic type of date night that never gets old! Each of you can choose your favorite movie, one that you are not the biggest fan of, and one that you have never seen before. This is a fun way to learn more about your partner’s cinematic interests while celebrating Valentine’s Day from home. Don’t forget the candy and popcorn! Painting With a Twist Time to let your artistic talents shine! Grab a canvas for each of you and some paints and have a paint night. You can paint anything from a portrait of each other to your partner’s favorite meme! This is sure to keep you entertained and laughing. Plus, you never know...your significant other could be an undiscovered Picasso! Game Night You can never go wrong with game night! From board games to video games, there’s nothing like a healthy competition on Valentine’s Day. Play anything from the classics such as Uno and Monopoly to throwbacks such as Life, Sorry, and Candyland! Chocolate tasting Is there anything that says Valentine’s Day more than chocolate? Try having your own chocolate tasting! Buy a variety of chocolates from the store and see if you can discover a new favorite. You can even make a game of it by blindfolding yourself and seeing if you can guess which brand of chocolate is which! Camping out Time to go camping...in the living room! For some, this was one of the best parts of sleepovers growing up but who says it’s only for kids? Make a blanket fort, grab snacks, tell spooky stories, and camp out in your living room. This is a fun and comfy way to spend time together! As you can see, there are many different ways that you can make Valentine’s Day fun right from the comfort of your own home this year. The most important thing is spending time and enjoying the moment with your loved one!

The holiday season is always a special time of year. The world seems a little bit happier and brighter. Although 2020 has been quite an eventful and challenging year, taking a second to remember what you are thankful for can really help boost your mood and change your perspective! Here are some ways that you can show your gratitude this season. Write a card Writing a card is a classic way to show someone how thankful you are for them. There’s really nothing like receiving a handwritten letter/card filled with words that you know came from the heart. This a special and personal way to show someone that extra appreciation! Donate Toys/Clothing/Food Donations are awesome any time of year. They are a fantastic way to give back and show your appreciation for the things that you have that others may not. With current events, many people are struggling. If you are in a position to donate food, clothes, toys-- it is a great way to show your gratitude and someone out there will truly appreciate it! Call someone We all tend to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life which makes it difficult to keep up with friends and family that you do not see every day. Take some time this holiday season to call someone who you haven’t chatted with in a while. Reconnect and enjoy the special bond that you have with them! Before hanging up, maybe just remind them how much they mean to you and how thankful you are for them. It is sure to bring a smile to their face! Compliment someone When you are out running errands, at work, school, etc, give someone a compliment! Whether it be about their hair, outfit, personality--one compliment can really turn a person’s day around. We do not know what anyone else is going through. You could really make someone feel good about themselves by saying one nice thing. Spreading kindness and positivity is a great way to get in the spirit of the holiday season! Live in the moment When you are with someone who you love and care about, put your phone away and live in the moment. Give them your full attention when they are telling a story, ask questions to show your interest, smile at them as they talk, etc. Sometimes we are so busy with what is going on in the virtual world that we don’t give our undivided attention to those right in front of us. This is a simple way to show your gratitude for them! Pay it forward Paying it forward is a great way to spread the holiday cheer! If you are able to, pay for the person behind you in the drive thru, another person's parking meter, gas, etc. Whether you know them or not, it is an unexpected surprise for them and is sure to make them feel thankful and hopefully they will pay forward to someone else! There are so many fun and simple ways that you can show someone your gratitude and appreciation this holiday season. Bask in the spirit of the season and share the magic!