Recovering a Long Lost Valentines Day

Valentine’s Day has evolved throughout the years, but now it seems time to return to better

trends.

From the 1950s through the 1990s, celebrating love encouraged people to be

intentional and creative. There was romance in everything from gifts and decorations

being made by hand to the time spent fully present with one another.

The dates were different. Couples went to drive-in movies, danced together,

shared meals at home, or spent evenings simply enjoying each other’s company. As the

50s through 90s passed, so did the traditions, with fondue dinners, disco music,

handwritten letters, and carefully made mixed tapes, but the intention stayed the same.

Love on Valentines Day was expressed creatively requiring thought and asking for effort. Not simply posting something on Instagram.

Valentines Day was special knowing someone had taken the time to create something just for you. A handwritten card carried emotion that can't be replaced by a text message. A curated playlist showed how well they knew you. Sure, these gestures weren’t perfect, but that was part of their charm.

Today, Valentine’s Day often feels more transactional and more commercial. Convenience

has taken priority, and most gifts seem either performative or trite. Cards are written for us by commercialized strangers, gifts are chosen in seconds, and romance is often reduced to what can be bought quickly and easily.

While there’s nothing wrong with purchasing a gift, something feels missing when love

is expressed without a personal element.

This shift has changed how romance feels. Earlier generations were less distracted,

less hurried, and more willing to be present. Love wasn’t rushed between notifications

or obligations. Love was something you actually made time for.

There’s a real simple beauty in making rather than buying. Cooking a meal, baking some cookies (recipe below!) or writing a note and setting a beautiful table are small acts that feel intimate and thoughtful in todays world. They reflect real elegance that doesn’t rely on excess. Classical femininity has always valued this type subtlety.

Returning to these traditions doesn’t require living in the past but it does requires us to be more mindful. Choosing to create something personal instead of reaching for the

easiest option makes love feel a little more genuine.

Don't feel like Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be extravagant to be romantic. Often, the most meaningful expressions of love are the little ones, like making a favorite meal at home, creating a curated playlist of meaningful songs and spending an evening without technology. Remember that romance isn’t about perfection or presentation, but simply showing someone you love how much you care.

Maybe this year, the best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is by bringing back a little of what was lost in time. By slowing down and choosing intention over convenience, and allowing love to be something we actively create, we return to a more heartfelt and human way of celebrating the Day of Love.

How To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Hearts:

Photo Credit: Walking on Sunshine Recipes

Makes: 16-20 (depending on the size of the cutter)

Time: 2 hours

Ingredients:

½ cup unsalted, softened butter

1 cup creamy peanut butter

2 ¾ cups confectioner’s sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 tbsp. coconut oil

Directions:

1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2. Mix butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer until

it clumps together into a dough-like ball.

3. On parchment paper, roll the filling about ½ - ¾ inch thick. Freeze for 15-20

minutes.

4. Use a small or medium heart cookie cutter to cut out hearts.

5. Lay them on a parchment-lined pan and freeze for 30-45 minutes until firm.

6. Put chocolate and coconut oil in a saucepan and warm over low heat on the

stovetop, stirring constantly until it melts.

7. Use a fork to dip each heart in chocolate, letting the extra chocolate drip off.

8. Place on parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes until the

chocolate hardens.

Credit to @thankfulhomemaking for the recipe

Sarah McKoy, is a freelance writer based in Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Professional Writing from Kennesaw State University last spring. Sarah enjoys writing about topics she's passionate about and believe that sharing ideas in this way is one of the most meaningful ways to connect with others. When she's not writing, you can usually find her exploring new places with my husband or cuddling her two cats.