Here comes Valentine’s Day!
And while it’s often portrayed as a time for candle-lit dinners, expensive gifts and gigantic boxes of chocolate, at its heart (pun intended), it’s really about human connection—romantic and otherwise. When we expand the way we celebrate the holiday, we give more people the opportunity to experience love and friendship.
Below are some enjoyable ways to celebrate for people of all ages and abilities.
Host a Friendship Gathering
Alongside romantic plans, consider hosting a small “friendship celebration.” Keep the environment sensory-friendly with soft lighting, moderate noise levels, and flexible seating (chairs, cushions or space for mobility devices). Activities can be as simple as sharing favorite songs, telling stories about people who matter to you, or exchanging compliments. Many people with disabilities experience social barriers, and a gathering centered on acceptance and belonging can be deeply meaningful.
Create together
Crafting is a great way to go because it can be adapted to many ability levels. Try decorating cookies, making valentine’s cards, painting small canvases, or creating bouquets from real or artificial flowers. Use large-handled brushes, adaptive scissors, stickers or pre-cut shapes if fine motor skills are a challenge. The goal is not perfection—it’s expression!
Throw an inclusive movie or story night
Choose a movie or read a story that celebrates love in its many forms—romantic, familial and friendship. Provide captions, audio description, or headphones depending on sensory and hearing needs. Offer fidget items or a quiet break space for anyone who becomes overstimulated. Watching and/or reading together—and then talking about favorite characters or plotlines—make it easier to connect to other guests.
Take part in a Valentine’s Day volunteer project
Write thank-you notes to caregivers, teachers, bus drivers, therapists or neighbors, or assemble small care packages for a local shelter or senior residence. Giving to others can be empowering and confidence-building and helps reinforce the idea that everyone has the capacity to contribute.
Have a music and dance party
You don’t need a formal dance to celebrate. Put on favorite songs and encourage all types of movement whether it be dancing, swaying, tapping a foot, clapping or simply listening and choosing the playlist. Have adapted instruments on hand to add to the fun!
Feel free to party at home
Crowded restaurants can sometimes be overstimulating or inaccessible. Instead, cook together. Pizza and cupcake-making or do-it-yourself ice cream sundaes are great ways to involve your guests and enjoy special holiday treats. Don’t forget the adaptive supplies.
Talk about love
Valentine’s Day can provide an opening to talk about relationships, dating and related issues. Questions for discussion might include:
- What makes someone a good partner or friend?
- How do you know when you feel safe with someone?
- How do we show we care about people?
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s simply sitting together, listening to music, decorating a cookie and realizing that when it comes to love, everyone has a place at the table.
