Romantic Things to Do For Valentines Day

Romance And Love

Every year on February 14th that special holiday just for Lovers is celebrated. We are talking of course about Valentines Day.

Starting in January we are bombarded with ads on television, radio and in print about getting the perfect, most romantic gift. But just what is the right gift?

Is it the biggest bouquet of flowers, the largest box of chocolates or the most expensive candlelit dinner? How about a piece of shiny jewelry?

All of these things are okay, they're just not very romantic. Anyone can go to the nearest jeweler or flower shop, whip out the credit card and spend the amount they think is needed to impress their lover.

There are even lists that actually suggest giving gift certificates. It doesn't matter if the certificate is for a spa, jewelry or sexy lingerie, a gift certificate basically says, this is how much you are worth to me.

Don't get me wrong, those things can be part of the Valentines Day experience, they just shouldn't be your entire focus.

To make Valentines Day truly memorable you need to allow your inner romantic to express itself. To do this you need to try a different tact, you need to spend a little more time finding the best ways to express your love to that most significant person in your life.

The Valentines Day Test

Start by considering Valentines Day as a test. Not a test where you sit down and mark answers on a sheet of paper, but rather a test of how well you actually know your Lover.

Prep for your test by truly listening to and observing your Lover. Watch what he or she looks at in stores. Look for the pauses as they find something in the paper or a magazine that catches their eye. Think about your relationship. Is there something that you used to do together when you were first dating that has gradually given way to the daily demands of home and work?

When you plan for Valentines Day consider that the single most precious gift that you can give your lover is a gift of time. Time with you, special time for themselves, be creative.

Also consider the day as a series of gifts, not just one here are the flowers and chocolates, now lets go to dinner. A series of small gifts or surprises that lead to something truly special will make this Valentines Day the most memorable ever.

So here are a few ideas.

• Start the day by giving a single red rose and a short love note when they wake. The note doesn't have to be poetic or perfect prose, it just needs to be sincere.
• If they are the one that always cooks breakfast, you do it. Place a small love coupon next to the plate that gives your lover the gift of your time for whatever they may want.
• Borrow their car and thoroughly clean it inside and out. Don't tell them what you are going to do or what you have done, just do it and allow them to discover it on their own.
• Plan a special activity that includes just the two of you. It doesn't matter if it's rock climbing, swimming at the beach, dancing, hiking or a bike ride. The idea is that it be an activity that you both will enjoy all the more because you are doing it together.
• If there is something that your Valentine has been trying to get you to do or try, now would be a fantastic time to do it, with them. Have they been trying to get you to exercise, go for a walk, take a dance lesson, go to a special movie, go rollerskating or whatever.

The basic idea is that whatever you do doesn't have to be super romantic. The romance will come from the fact that you have truly listened and responded to the one you love.

Then take them out to dinner and dancing, give them the flowers and chocolates and buy them some nice jewelry. After all, they are the love of your life!

Make your loved one smile with satisfaction every time that they think about this Valentines Day. Bob Current is the author of http://www.thingstodoforvalentinesday.info Check it out for even more ideas.

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Top Ten Romance Movies For Valentine's Day

Here are some great suggestions for movies to watch when you are cuddling on the couch on Valentine's day.

Valentine's Day will be here soon. In addition to the roses, candy and dinner, you need some warm fuzzy movies to watch as you snuggle up with your honey. Good love stories provide comedy, romance and in many cases - a good cry at the expense of someone else's relationship.These classic movies provide superb story content without a lot of the distractions of dazzling technology that we get now in movies.

Have a great date night relaxing, as you enjoy the quality time you spend with your loved one watching these beloved Top Ten Tales of Amour:

10. On Golden Pond - To witness love transcend decades is a glorious sight. Whether we see it within our own families or in film as here, it holds promise for our own relationships. Not just relationships with our spouses, but also with our children. Two powerhouses of cinema, Katharine Hepburn and Henry Fonda, gave us grace, humor and reason to believe in lifelong love. Watching the love and admiration between Fonda and his daughter Jane provides further credence to this great and wonderful love story.

9. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing - Determination to be with the one you love: the basic love story theme abounds here, spun in a mesmerizing way between two great actors. Jennifer Jones adorns the screen in anything she plays, but watching her with William Holden is spellbinding. Crossing racial barriers and adultery, this story finds you wanting this couple to overcome it all to be together. I watched it recently and actually wept hard, just as I had before when I'd first seen it. Highly recommended. It's a fine cuddle-up and tissue movie.

8. Pillow Talk - A terrific love story does not have to make you cry. This flick with Rock Hudson and Doris Day is the classic screwball comedy full of mistaken identity, love and absolute hilarity. Swell soundtrack, especially the little ditty that reigns throughout the film in various versions! Also featuring Tony Randall and Thelma Ritter.

7. The Shop Around the Corner - James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan. This was the inspiration for "You've Got Mail" with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. That was good, but regarding that, as in many cases, nothing's better than the original. No internet here, just good ol' fashioned letter-writing and pen-pal life in a quaint little town in Budapest at Christmas. You'll cry in your hot cocoa.

6. The Philadelphia Story - Stellar comedy that put Katharine Hepburn back at the top after an early stall in her career. Impossible to see how it wouldn't have. This mini-soap opera tells the intertwining story of one of Philly's most affluent families and the tabloid-filled lives they lead. Splendid dialogue and an abundance of delightful chemistry throughout the cast provide "a most beholden" piece of entertainment. With Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart (his Oscar win) and Ruth Hussey.

5. Love In The Afternoon - May-December romance takes the stage here along with fast-living, mischief and mistaken identities. Even a case of deception can't keep Gary Cooper from falling in love with the young and beautiful Audrey Hepburn. Captivating music also helps to spin this engaging tale. The train station scene of this film presents a classic moment that many other romantic movies have attempted to duplicate. There has been no other to reach the emotion that this movie evokes.

4. It Happened One Night - What do you get with an heiress running away from an engagement and a hungry reporter trying to capture the story of the year? One of the best romantic comedies to ever hit the screen. Filled with risque, albeit now classic, moments for the 30s, this film warms the heart as you laugh. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert were quite a pair.

3. Casablanca - Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. This is the story that has it all for everyone. War, intrigue, suspense, gambling, song, romance and, of course, Paris.

2. The Bridges of Madison County - Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. I didn't think the movie would make me cry as much as the book, but boy does it. It's a love she has to keep in her heart for the rest of her life, but as she delivers the legacy of this love to her children after her death, it makes understanding its' power much easier - somehow.

1. Wuthering Heights - Sir Lawrence Olivier and Merle Oberon. The story of Heathcliff, Cathy and the wind of the Moors. Classic story of the burdened heart and, literally, undying love. The supreme tear-jerker. I still recall many years ago in college when some of my classmates and I went to an old movie house in town featuring this film. After the lights were turned on at the end of the movie, just about all of us in the audience continued to sniffle. (We laughed in embarrassment, too.) It is lovely and perfect for a snuggle on Valentine's Day. It will give you the gratitude of knowing love in your life - always.

The original list of my top choices I had compiled was very long, but I want to also give mention to just a few more for you to consider:

Desk Set - The lovely chemistry of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy throughout the movie, especially in the library loft, gives me chills everytime I see it. They couldn't have hidden it even if they'd tried.

Brief Encounter - Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson. Considered the love story of all love stories. There's obviously something that pulls at the heartstrings watching stories of unrequited love or, in this case, watching love bloom between the already spoken-for. Penned by Noel Coward and moving along the glorious soundtrack of Rachmaninoff, there's no way to stay tear-free at the end of this movie.

Legends of the Fall - Brad Pitt, the west, the war and unrequited love. Grab at least two boxes of tissues.

When Harry Met Sally - one of my all-time favorites... Women and Men can be friends. However, these two were just destined for love,period.

Gone With The Wind - my top movie... but at four hours, I thought it a bit long to mention in the top 10. Don't miss it though... romance, war, passion, Scarlett and Rhett...

Titanic - Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. It's quite long also, but it's the quintessential romantic tragedy. We all know the story, but no other film version grasped the romance and desperation as this. Coupled with Celine Dion's crescendo in the theme song and the unending story that goes on (pardon me) through the necklace, you'll still cry about it the next day when the song pops on the radio. It always has airplay at this time of year!

You can find these great movies at fye!

Be sure to order now in time for your Valentine's Day celebration or anytime you want to spend a glorious date night with your sweetheart!

Tonya Rice is an avid classic movie fan, especially of romantic comedies and westerns. She's a Wellness Consultant, who runs Best In Health Now (http://www.bestinhealthnow.com) which promotes better health and wellness. She is the author of Breaking the Weight Loss Code, available at her website. Sign up now for the Free 5-day Wellness Course with newsletter subscription at http://www.bestinhealthnow.com/newsletters

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Unique Valentine's Ideas

Store bought cards, roses, a box of chocolates, and dinners. Sound familiar? That's because it probably is. Come Valentine's Day, you already know what you're going to get or give, same old, same old year after year. What happened to the sweet surprises they used to give in the first stages of your relationship you ask? It's on the back burner, most of us are in our comfort zones, and those with kids just have a harder time to incorporate romance back into their lives. Let's face it, who doesn't like a little romance or creativity? Whether it's just a night for the two of you, or maybe a nice Valentine family gathering, you don't need to be rich to have some quality time together. I'm going to help you get that back.

Spice up the love in the kitchen! This can work either for a couple or as a family, and it doesn't have to be dinner you can work around what best fits your schedule. I prefer it as a couple. If you have kids, plan for a relative or caregiver to take care of them in order to enjoy your time together. Think of each other's favourite food, or maybe a sentimental dish the two of you had together such as what you ate on your first date. Instead of going out for dinner, or take-in, make dinner together. Have a few glasses of wine turn on the stove and start sizzlin'! Nothing beats a home cooked meal, especially if it has been cooked with love. After dinner, share dessert and tidy up. When was the last time you did the dishes together? One washes, one dries. Have fun with it and just enjoy each other's company. Plus, you're getting a lot done for having a romantic night together. Spend the rest of the night alone. Cuddle up and watch an old movie, play board games, or just sit and talk and appreciate being one. This allows you to catch up, and help you remember why the two of you are together. Being at home saves money, and who doesn't like to save?! The important thing is you spent it with each other, just remember, no talk of the kids concentrate on yourselves.

Kids need some time too! Planning activities for the little muchkins is fun and simple. Most importantly, your kids will love being able to do valentines with mommy and daddy instead of just "mommy and daddy". Start the day by giving everyone in the family one shape of either a lip or heart, that way everyone starts with something. Lips represent kisses, and hearts represent hugs. Create a chart and assign one row or column to each member of the family. Each time someone in the family says 'I love you' to someone else (sincerely) that will earn them one lip. Any other sincere gestures are worth a heart. For example, your eldest child has helped his/her little sibling by putting on their socks and shoes. Keep track of everything by placing the corresponding shape with the person's name. Whilst playing this game, plan for some cupcake or cookie baking together. Baking is a great way for kids to interact. This also gives the family the opportunity to catch up with one another and just talk. Allow them to crack the eggs, stir, or pour the batter into the pans. Whatever your child can handle according to age. Let them do all the decorating, that's the fun part! During the baking, have everyone do crafts. Put everyone's name in a hat/bowl, and let everyone pick a name. Whoever's name they chose is whom they have to make a Valentines card for! Get creative! Construction paper, glitter, ribbons, buttons, cars, ties, anything is possible. At the end of the day, total up the scores. However many lips and hearts each person earned is the amount of hugs and kisses they get from everyone! Follow this by having the goodies that were baked, and exchange cards!

This is another one for the hopeless romantic; plan for the kids to be away and make sure your spouse is gone too. This is a great Valentines surprise and especially after a long day of work, you'll score big points! Set candles everywhere to set the mood.

Prepare the bath with chamomile and lavender scented bubbles, as this is very relaxing. Throw in a few rose petals to top it off. Have some wine ready, shavers, and shaving cream! When your loved one arrives, they'll come home to a nice relaxing environment. Have a bite to eat then enjoy the warm bath, and you do the shaving for one another. Shave or wax her legs, and shave his moustache. Shaving each other is a kind of trust activity. Let the rest of the night go with the flow!

Don't think that I've forgotten about the lonesome. Valentines isn't always about being with someone special. This time of the year gives you more of a reason to celebrate. Ladies, call up some girlfriends who are in the same boat and treat yourselves to a day at the spa. After, have some margaritas at your house with desserts and karaoke! Guys do the same thing, invite the boys' over, and have a few beers. Watch the game or play poker. Don't want company? Any of what I've just mentioned is do-able alone too.

There you have it, no more store bought cards, chocolate, and restaurant dinners. Don't let this stop you here though. Be unique and think up some more ideas for any special day! Although, I hope that these ideas have given you more options as to what to do come Valentines Day.

I'll accept your thank-you now for later. Have Fun!

-jessalia
the mommie correspondent

Jessalia is a strategist in the "make money blogging" niche. To learn how to make money online blogging, go to: http://www.themommiecorrespondent.com

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Celebrating Valentine's Day On a Shoestring

Valentine's Day is just around the corner And just in case you've forgotten, it's always celebrated on February 14th. (Now you have no excuse for ignoring it again this year.)

But if you're thinking, "Well, I have no excuse ... except for the fact that I don't have much money to spend on an elaborate gift or dinner out at a fancy restaurant right now."

No worries. Here's a list of inexpensive -- and often free -- ideas for spending some quality romantic time with your Valentine.

Outdoor Ideas

If the weather outside isn't frightful this time of year where you live, Nature's a romantic spot to spend some snuggling time together.

You could always have an exercise date if you're both fitness nuts: a brisk walk on a tree-lined lane, a game of Frisbee in the park with your favorite view, bicycling along the waterfront, a hike to a local destination. One of my favorite things to do is rent a canoe and meander slowly around the local waterways.

For a less physically demanding outdoor idea, slow the pace down and stroll leisurely through the park rather than power-walking. Hold hands, look at the flowers, watch the birds, listen to the sounds of nature. Go somewhere you haven't been for ages ... maybe an arboretum, beach, game reserve, or Japanese gardens.

And don't let a bit of rainy drizzle stop your plans. A romantic stroll under a shared umbrella followed by a cup of coffee or tea in a local coffee shop is definitely a romantic alternative to the typically more expensive dinner and a movie. Plus, most parks are less crowded on rainy days, so you'll have more privacy for your romantic walk.

Even in the winter, it can be fun to wander through the local zoo. Many times the animals are more active this time of year rather than in the summer when they're all hiding in the shade, escaping the summer heat.

Your local newspaper is always a great resource for inexpensive date ideas. Check out the "What's Happening" section for information on local heritage festivals, film showings, street fairs, home tours, fireworks displays, musical events, and county fairs.

Indoor Activities

If it's too cold or wet to spend Valentine's Day outside, try taking a romantic drive together into the countryside, perhaps stopping for coffee and pie at a diner along the way. Mmm.

Spend the afternoon browsing through antique stores together. Talk about the things you remember seeing in your grandmother's house when you were a child. It's amazing the memories that can come back looking through things from long ago. You might discover things about your loved one you never knew.

Museums are often a fairly inexpensive way to spend time together. Check around for history and art museums you've overlooked in the past. Many of them have free days, too.

If it's winter in your area and winter consists of sunny skies and palm trees, you might want to consider going ice skating together at the local skating rink. The change in temperature is invigorating, and it's fun to bundle up in a scarf and gloves if it's not something you do very often. Plus, it's always appropriate to hold hands while skating together. Instant romance.

Stay-at-Home Ideas

Breakfast in bed is a fun wake-up on Valentine's Day morning. Maybe cook some heart-shaped pancakes to complete the theme?

You could also have a tea party, just for the two of you with a selection of delicious gourmet teas, a variety of cakes and cookies, romantic music, and of course some fragrant flowers (they can just be ones picked from the yard ... you don't have to go overboard -- and over-budget -- with a dozen long stemmed roses).

Try having a picnic in the living room by the fireplace. Spread a blanket or tablecloth on the floor, light some candles, pack traditional picnic food items into your picnic basket, turn on some soft music. Maybe feed each other fresh strawberries.

If you have a series of movies you both enjoy, a movie marathon can be a fun way to spend the day. Stock up on snacks ahead of time, cuddle under a blanket on the couch, and watch a day full of Lord of the Rings, the Matrix, or a variety of romantic comedies). Turn off the ringer on your phone and just spend the day getting lost in the stories together.

Have a happy Valentine's Day!

Deborah Taylor-Hough (free-lance writer and mother of three) is the author of several popular books including Frozen Assets: How to Cook for a Day and Eat for a Month and A Simple Choice: A Practical Guide for Saving Your Time, Money and Sanity. To subscribe to her free email newsletter, Simple Times, send an email to:

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Visit Debi online and read more articles dealing with simple living, frugality, parenting and much more: http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com/

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Valentines Are For All

Valentine's Day is a wonderful day to celebrate love, with your husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, or even your best friend. It is typically a day to celebrate love, full of red roses and boxes of candy shapes like hearts. Although Valentine's Day is a great day to celebrate relationships, but valentines gifts are great for practically anybody. Roses and boxes of chocolates are special for relationships, but there is a wide variety of other gifts that are great for friends and family.

Because Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate love, sending close family members a gift is a lovely gesture. Parents can send gifts to their children, of children can even give something to their parents. No family member is off limits for a holiday that celebrates love, no matter who the family member is. Because love between family members and those in relationships is a different type of love, giving heart shapes stuffed animals and chocolate covered strawberries may be inappropriate gifts. Instead, you can browse gift basket websites and send them a gift full of gourmet foods, chocolates, and accessories that will be surely to please.

Close friends also should not be forgotten, because they are special for being a close friend. The love theme is different than a relationship as well, so close friends should be given something they would really enjoy. Spa kits, bottles of wine, and even snacks are ideal, or even gifts packed with novelty items such as golf accessories stuffed with sweets. This idea is great for single friends or even those that are dating, because they can be directed toward hobbies and personal preference.

Many friends are made at the workplace, since most working individuals spend the majority of their time at work. Most people who work close with a lot of people have developed strong relationships, since they see the same people on a regular basis day after day. Because of the special bond that is formed between co-workers, they too should be included in the Valentine's Day celebration. Wine, gourmet gifts, and even chocolates make great co-worker gifts, or you can even choose something more personal for those who know the most about.

Including everyone you know in your Valentine's Day celebration isn't abnormal, but actually a great way to show everyone how much you care about them. Although this is true, it is still important to spend time deciding on a gift for that special person in your life. Although roses, chocolates, and jewelry are the most popular gifts for romantic relationships, there are many other great gift ideas that can be personal and are sure to please. Those involved in a romantic relation should know a lot about each other, so gifting something personal and toward their own likes can be romantic, sweet, and a wonderful idea for many. Including a game of Strip Chocolate might be just what a romance needs.

The possibilities really are endless when it comes to Valentine's Day, because it is a happy holiday where everyone can celebrate love. Valentines really are for everybody, and finding a unique gift for each person in your life can easily be done.

Visit http://www.distinctgiftbaskets.com for more information on great gift ideas for friends, family, and even that special person in your life.

www.distinctgiftbaskets.com

Hannah Josephs

accounts management

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Renewing the Spark on Valentine's Day 2008

So, you've been together for a while and the spark has dimmed. There are a number of things you can do to reignite that spark and they all start with focus. Using the Law of Attraction we know that focus, emotion, and inspired action can add up to success. If you are stumped on what to do this Valentine's Day, hopefully these ideas will help to inspire you.

1. Plan a surprise. This doesn't have to be something big or expensive, but it should entail some effort. You should know your partner better than anyone else. Use that knowledge to develop a wonderful surprise for them.

2. Send sweet or sexy text messages. Sometimes phone calls aren't appropriate, for example, when your partner is at work or otherwise busy. A private text message however, is usually acceptable. Another advantage of a text message is that they can leave it in their phone and reread it when the mood strikes.

3. Strip for your spouse. You don't have to have the perfect body for this, you only need confidence. Try taking a course if you want, read a book on it, or even look online. There are free articles on how to strip that can certainly guide you.

4. Share your fantasies and act them out. There are of course fantasies that are better kept in the theatre of the mind than actually acted out; but those can certainly be shared and enjoyed by both parties even if you don't want to perform them. Those you both find intriguing to perform can certainly bring a spark back into things. Keep in mind that the fantasies you share are meant to heighten your sexual experiences so be mindful of your partner and their feelings. In other words, if you have a fantasy of sleeping with your partner's best friend and they won't appreciate this, you of course wouldn't want to share that.

5. Keep a notebook in a special, easy to reach place in your house. If appropriate, keep a beautiful journal on a coffee table in the living room. This journal is just for you both to write those special moments in. We have all had the experience of seeing our partner walk into a room and feel them take our breath away; write that down. When your partner does something that touches you, write it down. You can both turn to this journal and read what the other has written enjoying the love and the special moments over and over again.

Copyright ©2008 S Ryanne Stellingwerf for more articles and information on the Law of Attraction or to change your love life in only 28 days just visit http://www.intendingbliss.com/find_the_perfect_love.php

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