Be neighborly! Show some Valentine’s Day Love!
By Eve Victory
In the midst of CoVid-19 and so much tension, Valentine’s Day will definitely NOT be the same this year – but in the spirit of love, perhaps we should look past romance and show others brotherly love. In 2021, maybe Valentine’s Day should be about how we can love our neighbor.
Red velvet is more than a cake flavor – who doesn’t like receiving food as a gift? Make a big batch of red velvet pancakes and parse them into baggies for folks in your neighborhood, your child’s teachers, you hair stylist – whomever! Check out this link: https://www.tastesoflizzyt.com/cake-mix-pancakes/
Dip some strawberries – don’t just make them for your sweetie. Contact a church or nursing home and ask if you can bring some treats for shut-ins or residents who get few visitors. Imagine their delight!
Get crafty – get creative with some really neat valentine ideas from wind chimes to candle holders. There are a bevy of ideas on-line. Check out this link: https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/g1093/valentine-day-crafts/
Easiest sweets ever – if you want to give candy gifts, make some chocolate bark. Get some white or dark chocolate morsels, melt them and throw in sweet and salty snacks. Add craisins, nuts, cereal, pretzels, chopped up Oreos, marshmallows – you name it, it will work. Make big batches and bring some to Jackson House, Potter’s Clay or any place that will share with folks who need something special.
Get your Hallmark on – Valentine’s Day cards and wishes aren’t just for the love of your life. They are for family and friends and coworkers. Mail out a bunch, or get a box of silly kiddo Valentines and give them out – remembering to social distance of course.
Be sure to share the love this season. Lord knows we could all use some thoughtfulness. Happy Valentine’s Day!
A native New Yorker, Eve Victory has called Hot Springs home since 2003. Working for years as an event and tradeshow planner and personal chef, Eve is currently the Hospitality and Tourism Instructor at National Park College. For information on how to turn your education into a career in the second largest industry in Hot Springs, contact Eve at evictory@np.edu.