Nurture Your Connections by Sending Confections
There’s no denying our lives have been turned upside-down over the last few weeks. COVID-19 has many of us stuck at home, and many more feeling sad, stressed, & lonely. We’re desperately missing our friends, family, and general human connection. In this uncertain time, maintaining our relationships is more important than ever.
By the end of this we’ll certainly be desperate for social interaction. But in the meantime, how can you show the special people in your life how much you care while maintaining a safe distance?
Everyone receives love differently so it’s important to show you care in a way that’s specific to that person. If you’re familiar with Gary Chapman’s love languages¹, you already know what I’m talking about. If not, it’s pretty intuitive.
There are 5 primary ways people receive love.
Gifts
Acts of service
Quality time
Words of affirmation
Physical touch
I’ve put together a list of quarantine-approved ways to show your family and friends you love them in the way they receive it best. That way you can spread warm-fuzzies and help your loved ones get through this tough time #togetherapart.
Gifts
Gift lovers rejoice! With all the online delivery options available, this one is probably the easiest love language to speak to while distancing.
1. Deliver some greenery - Giving flowers and plants is a tried and true way to show people you care. Bringing a little nature inside can help turn a bleak space into a haven.
2. Give them a gift card from their favorite small business - This one is a double dose of goodness. Many small businesses are taking a huge hit right now. By sharing a gift card, you can help support the business owners while giving your loved one something they can enjoy in the [hopefully not-so-distant] future. Stay safe at home by emailing them an e-gift card if possible.
3. Make them something - You don’t have to spend a ton of money to surprise your loved one with a thoughtful gift. Oftentimes homemade gifts are the most special. Let your creative juices flow by writing them a song or short story. Bake them a treat like your favorite brownies or banana bread. Having trouble finding eggs or milk at the grocery store? Send them Black Bottom biscotti.
You can keep it simple by sending any of these gifts on their own, or take it up a notch by putting together a care package. Bonus points if you can throw in a roll of toilet paper! Either way, you’re sure to brighten their day.
Acts of service
Doing something for another person while maintaining a distance can be tricky, but all you need is a little creative thinking. For your loved one who appreciates acts of service, focus on doing something for them that will make their day easier.
1. Send them a meal service - Make their dinner planning a little easier by sending them a meal service. Many subscription services available online let you send friends and family a free box if you’re already a customer.
2. Save them a trip out of the house - When you do have to leave the house for supplies, offer to pick up some for your loved ones too. If you use delivery, find out what’s on their grocery list and have it sent to them.
The idea is to do something that will help cross a task off their to do list. I advise checking in with these friends and finding out what they need first. That way they won’t accidentally end up with double meals or groceries for the week.
Quality time
As terrible as it is, at least this pandemic happened during the age of video chat. Connecting with people while staying apart has never been easier.
1. Have a virtual coffee date - Spend quality time with your loved one by enjoying coffee (and biscotti) together over video chat.
2. Get playful - Have a virtual game night… or day. The hours are all blending together at this point. Lots of classic board games now have online versions where you can play with your friends. Monopoly and scrabble are two of my favorites. You can also play games that don’t require any equipment, like Never Have I Ever, 20 Questions, and Charades, over video chat.
For those who receive love best through quality time, it really doesn’t matter what you do. What matters most is that you’re doing it together.
Words of affirmation
For your loved one who thrives on words of affirmation, positive communication is key.
1. Give them a call -Tell your loved one how much you miss and appreciate them over the phone.
2. Let them know you’re thinking of them - Whenever your friend or family member crosses your mind, take a few seconds to let them know about it. Share a meme that made you think of them. Text them a fun memory you both share. A little thoughtfulness can go a long way.
3. Make them a card - Cards are fun and inexpensive to make, and much like biscotti, they’re perfect for any occasion. Bust out your craft supplies and get as creative, or not so creative, as you want. The possibilities are limitless.
Try not to overthink it, just write down whatever sweet words come to mind. You’re sure to put a smile on their face. Go ahead, get sentimental. Life’s too short not to.
Physical touch
This is a tough one because you can’t actually touch them. I get that. But with a little creativity, you can help show them love from a distance.
1. Give them something to cuddle - Sending cozy slippers and cuddly blankets can help them feel warm-fuzzies.
2. Talk about hugs - Tell your loved one about how you’re going to give them the world’s biggest & best hug once the danger has passed and you can finally see each other again.
3. Maintain connections through confections - shipping them a batch of our mouth watering handmade biscotti is like giving a hug through the mail.
We’re a little biased, but we think sending BlackBottomBiscotti is a great way to speak to all 5 love languages at once. Their spirits will be lifted, and their taste buds will be thrilled when they open the box of goodies you’ve sent them. It doesn’t matter if they’re a salted cinnamel, a cherry rosemary, or a double chocolate person. With a variety of flavors to choose from, we have something everyone in your life will enjoy.
Click here and send your loved ones something special!
And go ahead and get some for yourself while you’re there. We could all use a little more sweetness in our lives right now.
¹ "Discover Your Love Language - The 5 Love Languages®." https://www.5lovelanguages.com/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2020.
