The "Krone" Lower Austria column

The little messenger loves Valentin without the stress of shopping

(Bild: Krone kreativ/Daniela Gaigg/canva)

February 14 without consumption - a different way to show love. As a columnist, "Die kleine Botin" aka Daniela Gaigg writes about topics relating to life with her family. These include sustainability in everyday life, self-care and food for thought for parents. 

Today is the day of love - I already told you what I made for it in last week's column.

Valentine's Day is often associated with expensive gifts, huge bouquets of flowers and fine chocolates or pralines. But love doesn't need consumerism. Especially as a family, we can make this day a conscious one - with small gestures that come from the heart and homemade little things.

Tip 1: Time instead of stuff: Instead of material things, we can give our loved ones the most precious thing we have: our time! A walk together or a games evening are precious moments that will be remembered for a long time.

Tip 2: Put love into words: Everyone is happy to receive homemade cards or small letters. Why not introduce a "love letter" in which family members write to each other about what they appreciate about each other?

Tip 3: Real moments of pleasure: Instead of industrially produced chocolates, you can melt chocolate together and make broken chocolate with sprinkles. A regional bouquet of flowers or a potted plant made from cuttings are also environmentally friendly ideas.

Tip 4: Small gestures with a big impact: A hug voucher, breakfast in bed or a spontaneous "I love you" - real love is shown in the little things.

This will make February 14 creative and loving.