Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. It may be too late to get a booking at your favorite restaurant, and you may be having trouble coming up with a winning gift idea. You may even lack the funds for an extravagant gift. Instead of buying something or trying to squeeze into a crowded restaurant, give the gift of time with your own sensual Valentine’s Day massage. By staying in and indulging in this luxurious ritual, your evening will be full of romance. Here’s a step-by-step guide to doing your own at-home Valentine’s Day massage.
1. Set the Mood
Before you begin, set the mood. Create a space in your home that is cleared of clutter and set up some calming candles, fresh flowers, and dim lighting. Then, invite your partner into the space and sit together, enjoying the calm environment, as you clear your mind of the stresses of the day. Add some towels and simple oil, such as olive oil, to the space so you are ready to begin.
2. Begin with the Face
Have your partner lay on the back with their head on a pillow. Then, gently massage the face, starting at the temple and working down along the jawline until you reach the corner of the mouth. Use gentle, circular motions and move slowly along the face. Use just two fingers on each side of the face, but massage both sides at the same time. Next, move to the ears, squeezing the earlobe between your thumb and forefinger and tracing a finger along the outer edge of the ear.
3. Move to the Back
Ask your partner to roll onto the stomach. Then, use your entire hand to slowly and methodically massage the back. Apply oil to your hands and your partner’s body, and gently apply three strokes to each area as you move down the back. At the end of the three strokes, hold the muscle in a compression for a while to give them the chance to release. When you reach the tailbone, knead it with your palms until it begins to feel warm. Finish the back by tracing the spine from the base to the top using just your fingertips.
4. Massage the Legs
While your partner is on the belly, massage the back of the legs. The area behind the knees is particularly sensitive, so massage this gently. Give the large leg muscles a harder massage, kneading them with your hands. Be sure to use oil to avoid irritating the skin. If your partner’s feet aren’t ticklish, end with a foot massage.
5. Finish with the Arms and Hands
Finally, have your partner sit up and massage each arm similar to the way you massaged the legs, but with a gentler touch for the smaller muscles. Massage the palms, starting with the outer area and making your way towards the center. End the session by running your finger up and down the edge of the pinkie, then up the arms to the shoulders.
This Valentine’s Day gift costs nothing but your time, and the rewards, an utterly relaxed partner who truly feels your love, will be worth the effort you put in. Setting aside time to focus entirely on your loved one will show them just how much they mean to you this year.
