Valentines Gift Ideas

We can be heroes, not in the battle field, but on Valentine’s Day.

February 14 is coming around the corner. flowers, heart-shaped balloons, candles and all colorful decorations are sparkling everywhere which make even a broken-hearted guy stir. What can we do to touch our lover, which doesn’t matter whether the phrase “I love you” is voiced out or not?

Here you go, Romeo and Juliet! The three following classic, but not outdated ways for you to consider:

1. Everything must be in pairs:

It is so lovely to see a couple wearing the same designed T-shirt and walking hand-in-hand in the street, isn’t it? Before Valentine’s Day, you can easily find ‘everything is in pair’ idea, from the coffee mugs to cell phones, clothes and so on. But can you imagine that this idea is also applied for software?

An online software company called Audio4fun.com have decorated their new product: AV Voice Changer Software Diamond (a voice changer which changes any voice inputs into different voice and sound to have fun with chit-chat and music) in two colors: Blue for Him and Pink for Her and sell in half price package on this Valentine.

2. Self-made gift is the “King of men”:

Young lovers are afraid of the “same brilliant Valentine’s ideas” such as sending chocolate, flowers as half of American do the same things and even worse than that, they “just do it” over and over again. Another thing, there is no need to spend a lot. A little creativity and thoughtfulness can go a long way! So, a self-made gift would be perfect as you are able to get out of the “vicious circle” of many wondering days before Valentine and nothing can impress your sweetheart more than that.

How about a hand-made greeting card? You are afraid of your artistic skill? Alright, an E-card or a short video clip (which you can see many in Youtube.com) could help because it becomes easy to create with the help of many softwares. A simple idea is choosing some of your and her photos, drag and drop in a movie maker program, then put some music that he/she likes, or you can even sing. To add some sense of humor, you can change singer’s voice with a voice changer software or make your singing voice sound better with a music morpher program or music editing software.

3. The count down or waiting game:

Another sure-fire strategy that would make even Cupid proud is making your lover feel curious long before the most special Day.

Let send your beloved a card a few days early (This first card might say “”I Couldn’t Wait Till Valentine’s To Say I Love You” or “I Can’t Think of Anyone I’d Rather Spend Valentine’s Week With Than You”) Write a longer lovely email than usual that night. Treat a dinner the following day. Then make a phone call. And surprise your honey with some chocolate and flowers the day before Valentine’s Day. And you know what you can do one day after that!

You see just some simple tips but if you can make them go well in a process, the effectiveness is wonderful!

Chris Martin is an author with a profound interest in Online education, E-commerce and new Online trends in the world. He has a number of writings about Online games, Online English speaking club, Online chat, etc. Contact him at media@audio4fun.com

Store fronts were filled with cuddly stuffed animals, heart-shaped chocolate boxes and candy hearts with little sayings on them long before the Christmas decorations came off the shelves.

Some believe that February 14th is the most romantic day of the year, while others are ready to boycott the money making holiday. Forgive me if I decline to enthusiastically join this commercialized holiday ritual.

Valentines Day at one time was a symbol of youthful love. Though the origin of the day is somewhat hazy, the importance of the day has been stripped by the commercialism that now puts a huge guilt trip on us to “show our love” by purchasing our significant other a gift they don’t really need or want.

Valentine’s Day ranks second to Christmas in terms of the number of greeting cards that are sent. How pathetic is that.

If my husband does choose to give in to the commercialism of this holiday, I hope he does it days after. I’d much rather has a discount box of chocolates. I know that I’ve been guilty of contributing to the pockets of the retailer. Go ahead, call me a hypocrite. I have celebrated the day with balloon bouquets, heart-shaped chocolate boxes, and pink and red candy hearts.

But this year the image of cupid makes me sick. Just kidding, but seriously here men, we women don’t need the $100.00 bouquets of roses, the over priced Hallmark card or dinner at a fancy restaurant. All we need is for you to put down the toilet seat, do the laundry, take out the garbage, and take the kids out of our hair for an hour so that we can enjoy a luxurious bubble bath.

By now you are thinking that this woman is unromantic, a clone of Ebenezer Scrooge. Bah Humbug!

Well, you’re wrong. I am a sucker for love, a huge romantic, but to me an over priced bouquet of red roses doesn’t say love. To me romance is when my husband comes home from the grocery store and surprises me with a bouquet of fresh carnations because he wanted to brighten my day or when I wake up in the morning and his arms are around me or when he runs me a bubble bath after a stressful long day. It is those little things that show me that he loves me and appreciates me.

It is more important to give spontaneously. Don’t wait for a specific day to show your wife or girlfriend that you love her.

This year I’ve chosen to support the boycott of valentine consumerism. Instead I’m going to give my husband the gift that keeps on giving all year through- the gift of my love.

Valentine’s Day is just a few days away. Show your significant other that you care by giving them your time. It is important to appreciate them everyday. This Valentine’s Day let your gift come from your heart and not the store shelf.

Goodbye Cupid, I’m not stupid. Boycott Valentine’s Day for commercialism is out of control.

Rose DesRochers is a published poet and freelance writer. Rose has been writing poetry for more than 20 years. She is also the founder of http://www.todays-woman.net , a supportive online writing community for men and women over 18 and http://www.bloggertalk.net a community where bloggers connect.

Visit her blog at http://rosedesrochers.todays-woman.net

While we would all like to whisk our partner away to celebrate St Valentine’s Day at an exotic five star resort, I know I can’t afford it, just yet!

Here are some ideas for Valentine’s Day luxuries on a budget that will amaze your partner. And if you do it just right, with a little creativity, you can have the ultra-romantic day that will convince your loved one of how much you love him or her. Again.

Getting out into the open air, just the two of you, is a great way to spend Valentines. Head for the hills or the state park. There are walks to suit all - whether its an easy walk or a more demanding hike. Remember, it’s February, so its likely that the place will be deserted and you will have all that natural beauty to yourself. And outdoor privacy is so romantic!

Take along a special picnic when you go out. In a small picnic basket collect a tablecloth, a vase with a realistic rose in it, 2 taper candles with holders (don’t forget a lighter) and a lovely meal for two. When you reach the picnic area you can surprise your partner by setting the table for a romantic meal. Sit down and enjoy!

You could take the picnic with you on a romantic drive, or for a day out kite flying or bicycling. Remember that it’s being together that is important.

The outdoors idea even works for couples that have children. There’s always plenty for the kids to do if there is a safe and empty playground close by. What better way to celebrate your love than by keeping one eye on the children and reminding yourself why you love them, and their other parent, so much.

Don’t fancy the great, romantic, outdoors? Cooking your romantic Valentine’s meal together is a great way to share the day. Male sure that your dinner choice is something you will both enjoy, even better if its a special treat you don’t often have. Go over the top in decorating the dining room and go to town on the place settings. Make sure you both dress up in your best clothes, as if it was your first date, with your best jewelry and scent.

The main thing to remember is that if you are together you will have as romantic a time as you would have at a posh resort or an exclusive restaurant. It’s the thought that counts, not how much money you spend.

Nicola Kennedy has become an expert in celebrating St Valentine’s Day frugally. And her husband appreciates it! Visit her site http://www.Best-Valentines.info for more ideas on how to make Valentines 2006 a special one.

Not having your beloved around specially on the worldly known date may make you feel sad and sometimes depressed as well. When your friends and pals around are planning the ensuing Valentine’s Day party with their partners you may feel crushing your head simply because you are feeling horribly lonely and aloof, then rely on the sole fact that you are also a lucky child of St. Valentine and will be getting your gift of Magi right on the day of Valentine.

Many people celebrated lonely Valentine’s Days without their beloved around and they have choose many striking ideas not to miss their sweethearts as much as really they are. A lady spend her lonely Valentine’s Day wearing the shirt of her boyfriend and did not put it off until the last trace of the odor remains there. Another man spend his lone day cooking the cookies his sweetheart loved and at the end of the day ate them himself tenderly assuming that her beloved would have enjoyed them the same way. Trust is the base of any love relationship.

Trust factor is the key of the bonding between family members, friends, husband and wife and mostly for a couple. When one is cherishing a love relationship he or she should never forget that it is all about missing, loving, caring and pampering your soul mate. Love is the biggest force to connect the minds together and days long traditions to send one’s love message to the beloved in a distant place is always been practiced with great care and tenderness.

Such as sending a love letter and putting it to the mouth of pet pigeon is one of the famous instances. Another one was very popular during the age of adventure and voyages across the seas was writing a love note and putting it inside the bottles. In some cases these tricks often worked with huge success.

Time has changed. Now a days the processes to send Love Letters and Love Messages to sweethearts are more easy and more certain in case of delivery status. There are few ways which makes your love smile on the Valentine’s Day in spite of the uncrossable distance between yourselves.

STEP 1: Send a bouquet of flowers to your lover’s workplace (you’ll get bonus points for the public display of your affection).

STEP 2: E-mail your mate an electronic valentine.

STEP 3: Fax a photocopy of candy hearts with endearing messages such as “Miss You” or “U R Hot”.

STEP 4: FedEx or mail a package of love. Include chocolate, candy hearts, a recent photograph of the two of you that your lover has never seen, a poem you wrote yourself (or a copy of an Cummings poem, for example, if you’re not the romance-writer type), a “homemade” tape including songs that put you both in the mood.

STEP 5: Arrange for a singing Valentine to surprise your sweetie at work.

STEP 6: Plan a wakeup call for Valentine’s morning, ensuring that the first words your lover hears on Valentine’s Day are either “I love you,” or “I had a dream about you last night…”

STEP 7: Spend the evening writing a love letter or putting together a Valentine’s scrap book to send to your lover the following day.

STEP 8: Schedule a phone date toward the end of the evening, perhaps sending your valentine some sensuous bath oils and a bottle of champagne ahead of time to coincide with the call. Topics of conversation? Use your imagination.

When your partner is not around on Valentine’s Day it’s about the sincere, loving connection between two people, and the celebration of that connection from miles away. It’s a very unique, personal tie between you two. Don’t let marketers convince you that only their way is the right way, and that you must be together.

You can be just as close, and just as in love, and just as connected, even if your darling happens to be away from you for this day. So remember the tune that you perhaps sang while leaving your beloved … ” kiss me and smile for me tell me that you wait for me hold me like you never let me go…”

And then raise a toast to the special love which is yours!

Sean Carter writes on holidays and events celebrated round the globe. He is an active blogger at Valentines Day Blog. He is also an ardent social networker and contributes occassionaly to Myspace Valentines day codes and Myspace Friendship codes.

Every Valentines Day, flowers, cards, chocolate candy, and presents abound and love letters are sent between lovers. Widespread symbols are hearts and arrows, flowers especially red roses, cupid, and the color red or pink.

February 14 is the time when birds start mating; therefore, since the olden times, the celebration of romantic love was traced to this day. The earliest date this holiday is found in would have to be in Greek mythology attributing February 14 to the marriage of Zeus and Hera. On Zeus and Heras trail, comes Lupercalia or the festival of Faunus, the god of fertility in ancient Rome.

Then, there are several Christian saints named Valentine to whom this celebration of love can be attributed. Most of these St. Valentines were martyred for one reason or another, like the St. Valentine in Rome who aided prisoners or the St. Valentine in Africa. Among the martyrs, the most likely St. Valentine for whom the Valentines day was named is the saint who performed soldier weddings, disregarding Emperor Claudius IIs order banning Roman soldiers from marriage.

Without any doubt, celebration of love leaped into the earliest centuries and to the time of Renaissance. The oldest known valentine is a poem written in 1415 by the duke of Orleans to this wife, while he was in prison. It is kept in the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.

Sending love poems, letters, and cards to lovers soon became a fashion. During the 1800s books of romantic poetry were published for Valentines day. From inside those books, young men chose poetry to give to their sweethearts. In the United States, most of all valentines people sent to each other were imported from Europe until 1914 when the American publishers jumped into action.

In our time, celebrating Valentines Day custom still exists and flourishes, even if St. Valentine was taken down from sainthood by the Roman Catholic Church. During the latest two decades, celebration of Valentines Day has spread to India and China, probably due to these countries sudden economic boom.
Accordingly, Valentines Day has become the most card-sending time of the year after Christmas, with most of the cards purchased by women. Not only that, elaborate, tasteful, and original artistic card creations have come into existence and are now being offered even on the internet, like those in www.prye.com.

Since there is so much ado about it, lets try to define romantic love. It is said that real love is unconditional. This is such an appealing statement and so idealistic that we wish it were true.
The notion of romantic love, however, is based on the idea of preservation of our species and works better on reciprocal give and take than on one-sided martyrdom. Romantic love is based on a genuine concern for the welfare and happiness of the other partner without giving away from ones own safety and personal power.

Experiencing truly lasting romantic love takes time, work, and patience. Once the initial attraction and fantasy wears off, sometimes we stumble and doubt our partner and even our own feelings. This is nothing to worry about but a natural outcome of being human. A good and enduring relationship takes time, effort, understanding, and acceptance to cultivate. The idea is not to give up but work attentively at perking up the relationship.

When two people care about each others happiness, pleasure of being together becomes delightful and healthy. Genuine praise, little loving gestures, kind words, and true caring enhances such a relationship greatly and thats what makes the celebration of Valentines day or the celebration of love so important in our lives.

Joy Cagil is an author on a site for Writers (http://www.Writing.Com/) Her education is in foreign languages and linguistics. She has also trained in psychology, mental health, and visual arts. Her portfolio can be found at http://www.Writing.Com/authors/joycag