Ten Tips for a Romantic & Memorable Valentine's Day

2009-01-16T10:53:00.000-08:00

From its earliest origins, Valentine’s Day has been associated with love. Centuries ago, the Romans celebrated a feast every February called Lupercalia. The celebration included a ritual for matching young, single men and women. Names were placed in a box, a drawing was held and couples randomly matched together were partners for a year -- after that it was up to them.

The Valentine’s Day gift you choose for your loved one and how you decide to spend the day says a lot about the quality of your relationship, so give something that has real meaning to you. Gifts from the heart don’t have to be expensive. Since the traditional gifts of flowers or chocolates don’t last forever, here are ten creative ways to express your love.

Create your own Valentine's Day card. Compose a poem or an expression of love that expresses your personality.
Create a "recollection collection" scrapbook filled with favorite photographs, love letters, keepsakes from special occasions, and cherished mementos.
Make a CD of your favorite songs as a couple including love songs that you both enjoy listening to. Buy some romantic CDs, classic videos or DVDs and wrap them all together with red ribbon.
Jelvery is always a favorite. For the woman in your life, buy a heart-shaped locket and put a picture of yourself in it. Personalize the locket with your loved one’s initials so she’ll have something to wear that’s hers alone. Package it in a heart-shaped box or tied to fresh flowers. For your man, a good choice is the classic sterling silver ID bracelet or cuff links with his name or initials custom-engraved.
Give silk or glass flowers, which will last forever. If your beloved has a green thumb, give a flowering plant to put in the garden to enjoy year after year.
Prepare your loved one’s favorite dinner and serve it on a romantically set table and dine by candlelight on Valentine’s Day. For the sweetheart with a sweet tooth, make a decadent dessert such as a chocolate founde with melted chocolate mixed with a touch of heavy cream, and serve it with fruit or cookies.
Give the man in your life a personalized gift for his favorite hobby such as personalized golf or tennis balls that say, “I love you,” “You’re a hit!” or “Be mine,” or a monogrammed humidor for cigars.
The gift of togetherness is precious, given today’s busy lifestyles. Plan a romantic, surprise travel gateway. Take lessons together to share in each other’s interests like dancing, cooking or sailing. Hire a personal trainer to inspire you to exercise together, or visit a spa together. Spend a night out at the theater and have dinner at a quiet and romantic candlelit restaurant.
If you plan to propose n Valentine's Day, hide the engagement ring in a box of candy or at the bottom of a heart-shaped flute filled with champagne. Buy a pair of monogrammed champagne flutes and make a toast with your favorite bubbly.
If you want to propose at home, sprinkle rose petals around the house. Place heart-shaped candles around your home to create the right mood. Then, enjoy a quiet, romantic evening. Create a banner that says, “Will you marry me?” and hang it outside her home.

Valentine Flowers: Sending Love!

2009-01-13T08:33:00.000-08:00

There is no better way of showing someone you care than giving Valentine flowers. Even if you are giving other Valentine gifts, Valentine flowers add that little something extra to any Valentine's Day gift.

What Flowers to Give For some people, roses are the only flower that will do as Valentine's flowers. Nothing says "I love you" better than roses. Roses are the ultimate romantic flower, and the most popular present for Valentine ’s Day. White roses are for love, red roses are for passion, and yellow roses are for friendship. Lilac roses are the choice to symbolize love at first sight. Red roses are the most traditional Valentine’s flower, but white, yellow, or pink, are also used. Red Roses signify passion or strength of feeling, yellow roses stand for love, and white roses traditionally reflect innocence. A dozen red roses are considered to be a gift of love, while a single long stemmed red rose is usually seen as a passionate gift.

Other Choices for Valentine’s FlowersIf you want to choose something different for a Valentine’s flower, consider the recipient. What is her favorite flower? Knowing what certain floral colors symbolize can help you make the perfect choice.

What Colors Mean in FlowersBlue Valentine’s flowers represent tranquility and harmony, and give a sense of stability, confidence, honesty and security. True blue flowers are difficult and often expensive to come by.

Green Valentine’s flowers bring good luck, with emerald leaves, apple-tinted blossoms, and chartreuse stems are associated with harmony and stability.
Orange Valentine’s flowers suggest flamboyance, and really ‘fiery’ blossoms convey confidence and kinship.

Pink colored Valentine’s flowers in pale pinks suggest emotional healing and inner calm, and bright shades of pink suggest friendship, and a fun romance.

Red Valentine’s flowers are intense, passionate, and dynamic. Red colored flowers are seductive.
White Valentine’s flowers represent peace and purity, and if they are given as a gift they are a gesture of respect.

Yellow Valentine’s flowers represent hope and happiness, or are given as a token of courage and cheerfulness

This is a busy time of the year for florists so order early. Make sure you add a thoughtful message to your Valentine's Day flowers, even if you are giving them in person. It can be romantic, humorous or a quote from a poem.

Valentine 101

Ten Tips for a Romantic & Memorable Valentine's Day

Valentine Flowers: Sending Love!