Valentine’s Day has become equivalent to love. Whether you make a fuss out of Valentine’s Day or barely pay attention to is, it is a chance to think about love and what God would want us to do with it. Is it possible to celebrate Valentine in a Christian way? And what are the best Christian Valentine’s Day ideas?
Should you just buy some gifts and drop them off, or do we need to put more details into it? Even though Valentine’s Day was not celebrated in Jesus’ days, we could consider how He would spend that day.
As Christians, we ‘copy’ Christ in all we do. Whether we consider what is the best gift for Valentine’s Day or wonder what activities are done on Valentine’s Day, we need to approach it as Jesus—with love. Jesus did not just love on one specific day. He came because of love. Everything He did was love. He died for us because of love. He is love.
We can keep that in mind when we think of Christian Valentine’s Day ideas, and whether or not to celebrate it.
Is Valentine’s Day a Christian thing?
Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day, is celebrated annually on the 14th of February. It is originally a Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine (Valentinus), who were martyred on the 14th of February. Many early Christian martyrs were named Valentine.
In Ancient Rome, people celebrated pagan gods on February 13–15—gods of love, marriage, and fertility. The celebration of Saint Valentine didn’t have had any romantic meaning until Chaucer’s poetry about “Valentine’s Day” in the 14th century.
Through later folk traditions, the day became a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. In modern days, it has truly been commercialized, and some men abuse it to get girls. This does not mean as Christians we can’t celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Valentine is all about love. As Christians, we can express God’s love to others on this day. Although we are expected to walk in love daily and not just on Valentine’s Day. There is no harm in showing extra love and care on one day in a year, as long as we don’t treat our loved ones badly all the other 364 days of the year.
So, Valentine’s Day is not a Christian thing as such (even though it has some Christian roots). But we can use the day to celebrate God’s love and share His love with the people around us, Christians and non-Christians alike.
What does the Bible say about Valentine?
Valentine is not in the Bible and neither has it any spiritual meaning. The tradition of Valentine’s Day dates from after the Biblical times, we can therefore not find the mention of Valentine in the Bile.
Over the years, Valentine’s Day has become an equivalent to love. Even though it isn’t a Christian thing, we can celebrate love in a Christian way on Valentine’s Day.
The Bible says much about love—God’s love for us and our love for God, as well as about romantic love. We can use the Bible as inspiration to celebrate love on Valentine’s Day and throughout the year.
The Bible says whatever we do, we should do it with love:
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT)
What is Valentine in a Christian way?
Even though Valentine’s Day doesn’t have a Christian origin, we have all the right to celebrate it (as long as we do it in a Christian way). We can make our own choose to celebrate it or not, and the way to celebrate it.
If you choose to celebrate it, it is a great opportunity to share God’s love with family, friends, spouses, or neighbors. Jesus said that people would know us by our love (John 13:34-35). Valentine’s Day offers a perfect opportunity to do so.
John 13 verse 34 (NLT) gives us directions for how to celebrate in love:
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”
When we share love on Valentine’s Day, we fulfill God’s mandate:
“Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”
Romans 13:10 (NLT)
Should we, as Christians, give gifts to our loved ones on Valentine’s Day? Well, God has a giving nature. He supplies all we need. And He gave His only Son for us, out of love. We can do the same on Valentine’s Day and buy gifts for our loved ones.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 (NLT)
Is it wrong to express romantic love on Valentine’s Day? Songs of Solomon is one of the most tender and intimate love poems in the world. In many other Bible books we see expressions of romantic love. So, we can express romantic love on Valentine’s Day, as long as we do that morally in a Christian way.
What is the best gift for Valentine’s Day?
There is no best gift. We are all different and so are our loved ones. The best gift is the one that is considerate of the one to whom we give it. A thoughtful gift. A gift given with sincere love.
And actually, a gift does not need to be materialistic. We can show love in so many ways. It is the thoughtfulness that counts, and preparing something for someone you love. It does not need to cost money.
You can, off course, think of general gift ideas, such as a devotional for women, Christian design jewelry, or a book about prayer, but it would be nice to let your gift be special and truly reflect love.
Here is an overview of several Christian Valentine’s Day ideas.
Christian Valentine cards
A Christian Valentine card spreads God’s love and our human love for each other. The card can be all about love, have a Bible verse written in it, or have a beautiful graphic expressing biblical love.
A card can be a:
- Post card
- Digital card
- Handwritten card
- Purchased ready made card
- Personalized and self-created card
Post cards
Online special Christian Valentine cards are for sale through several channels:
Amazon:
Amazon has great religious valentines cards:
Christianbooks:
Click button for more Christian Valentine’s Cards for sale at Christianbooks.com:
Zazzle:
Click button for Zazzle Christian Valentine’s Cards for sale:
Cheerfullygiven:
Click button for Cheerfullygiven Christian Valentine’s Cards:
Digital cards (Ecards)
Digital Christian Valentine’s cards are available all over the world. You can buy digital cards (also called ecards) online or get them for free:
PAID:
Crosswalk:
Click button for Electronic Christian Valentine’s Cards at Crosswalk:
Dayspring:
Click button for Electronic Christian Valentine’s Cards at Dayspring:
FREE:
Crosscards:
Click button for Crosscards Electronic Christian Valentine’s Cards:
And you can, of course, create your own Christian Valentine’s ecard with, for example, Canva (free software).
Christian Valentine shirts
A t-shirt is an original gift idea for your valentine. Shirts are available in various shops and online.
Spreadshirt:
Click button for Christian T-shirt ideas:
Christianbooks:
Click button for Christian fashion at Christianbooks:
Amazon:
Amazon also sells Christian T-shirts for Valentine’s Day.
Christian Valentine’s gifts for him
Looking for a gift for your husband, son, or best friend? Here are some ideas:
Christianbooks:
Click for a selection of perfect gifts for your husband, son, or fiancee.
Christcenteredholidays:
Christian Valentine’s gifts for her
Amazon:
Click for a selection of perfect gifts for your husband, son, or fiancee.
Walmart:
Click for a beautiful Christian designs jewelry bracelet at Walmart:
Nordstrom:
Click for a beautiful bracelet at Nordstrom:
Christian Valentine’s Day ideas
What activities are done on Valentine’s Day? Well, that’s all up to you. Whatever fits in your character (and is Biblical) can be done.
14 Christian Valentine’s activities ideas:
- A dinner
- A walk in the park
- The movies
- A surprise visit
- Cook dinner together as a couple or a family
- Invite neighbors for a nice evening of fellowship
- Chocolate tasting
- Volunteer together
- Community reach out
- Evangelize and reach out in love
- Create personalized cards with Bible verses and then share
- Exchange gifts
- Make it a goal to compliment each other throughout the day
- Create a Love Note Box
Whatever you decide to do on Valentine’s Day and no matter what your idea is about a Christian Valentine’s celebration, make it your motto to do it in love, as Jesus would do.
Valentine gifts can be an intrinsic part of your Christian home decor ideas.