Thank economics for holidays.

I've been hit by the fluffy, sparkly arrow of Cupid. Sorry, world. All week I've been looking forward to today because I knew I was receiving flowers from my 300-mile-away boyfriend. (Yes, I know, surprise spoiled - but that just changes the situation to anticipation and excitement rather than worry that nothing will come). The flowers came (a dozen roses - yeah, I feel loved) with a beautifully rude card one would expect still in the hideously incredible honeymoon phase. Am I making you feel sick yet? Though I can't be with him today to give him a squidgy hug and show him how special he's made me feel, I can do something with this warm and fuzzy feeling: I've decided to give back to my housemates.

Living with a couple is not easy, especially when you're in a long-distance relationship. Rather than grumble that they're in the fortunate position to be with each other whenever they like, I'm embracing it. I've cleaned the kitchen, sorted the recycling, tidied the hallway, loaded the dishwasher, cleaned the living room and set up a little romance. What I'd love to do is cook them a romantic dinner with an oozey chocolatey pudding and a bottle of wine. Unfortunately, I have no money to do that. Instead, they came home to this:

Whilst the cynics can happily (or grumpily) load Valentines Day off as a corporate holiday invented by card companies to make money between Christmas and Easter, I quite like it. You can really make it a good excuse to non-awkwardly show friends that they mean something and are appreciated. Of course, there's no reason we should limit this show of affection to February 14th but if you're the kind of person who finds it difficult to express feelings, today is a good shield.

A couple of days ago I was a bit grumbly because I hadn't eaten anything before work and was destined for a late finish. To cheer me up, one of the managers set up a plate with jaffa cakes, sweets and orange slices with an innocent smoothie. It was a small gesture that helped a vast amount. Little things like this should happen everywhere. You might embrace the good deed culture already and you will certainly have been the recipient, whether you know it or not. We're in lent now, so many of you might have given up chocolate, sweets or, like a genius once suggested, skateboarding and celery. How about taking up good deeds? One good deed a day is an excellent aim. Sometimes not possible, a more realistic goal would be three good deeds a week.

Holidays are a brilliant excuse to be wonderful to others and yourself. Send a card for Christmas. Give a hug for New Year. Say thankyou for Valentines. Clean the house for Spring. Cook dinner for Sunday. Make a cup of tea for, you know, 11.14am. Just because. May you all feel fluffy and squidgy today. And if you don't, at least hold someone's hair back while they're sick due to chocolate overconsumption.