Saturday, 13 February 2010

Valentines Day on a Budget

Buster Brown Valentine postcard by Richard Fel...Image via Wikipedia
While we would all like to whisk our partner away to celebrate St Valentine's Day at an exotic five star resort, not everyone can afford to do so!

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  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.


1001 Ways to Be Romantic by Gregory J.P. Godek



The Romantic's Guide: Hundreds of Creative Tips for a Lifetime of Love by Michael Webb 

Romancing the Stars: 52 Celebrity-inspired Romantic Insights, Ideas And Illustrations by Aysel Arwen


Send your Valentine Flowers Online.

Valentines FlowersImage by xhan104 via Flickr
Life is hectic for most of us, but no one wants to miss those special occasions, so why not send flowers online? It's as easy as pushing a few buttons and far more convenient than taking the extra time to run to the flower shop on your lunch hour.

Sending online flowers is a breeze. When you send flowers online, you have the added bonus of choosing from a selection of standard arrangements in beautiful color photos that let you see exactly what you'll be sending. No more standing at the floral counter trying to describe what you want and hoping the resulting arrangement is what you had in mind. When you send flowers online, you take the guess work out and get just the arrangement you want.

Many florists make it even easier to send flowers online by having their designs arranged by the occasion. Think of the convenience of clicking a link and seeing an array of lovely bouquets, ready to send directly to your loved one. Never suffer the guilt of forgetting Valentine's Day or an anniversary again. Even last minute orders can usually be taken care of if you put your order in an hour or so before closing time.

Need to send a little something to spark your special someone's anticipation of tonight's dinner date? Whatever sentiment you wish to express, you can conveniently send flowers online in a matter of minutes.

When you decide to send flowers online, you take the hassle out of showing friends and family how much you care. For your convenience, some online florists will allow you to create an account with special dates and occasion to be remembered. You can either pick your choices ahead of time and have them sent out automatically and billed to your account, or you can choose to receive an e-mail reminder to send flowers online. Never get the cold shoulder for forgetting an important event again.

When you look at the overall convenience, there's no reason not to send flowers online.




1001 Ways to Be Romantic by Gregory J.P. Godek 

The Romantic's Guide: Hundreds of Creative Tips for a Lifetime of Love by Michael Webb

Romancing the Stars: 52 Celebrity-inspired Romantic Insights, Ideas And Illustrations by Aysel Arwen 

 
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Marriage Proposals on Valentines Day

Anthropomorphic Valentine, circa 1950-1960Image via Wikipedia
If you’re ready to propose to your sweetheart there is no better day than Valentine’s Day; this day is devoted to lovers and romance. A Valentine’s Day proposal is every woman’s dream and will surely get you an enthusiastic “yes”! Here are some ideas to help you create a romantic Valentine’s Day proposal:

• Cook her a romantic dinner for two. Tie the engagement ring, using ribbon, to the stem of a glass of champagne or sparkling cider.

• Take her out for dinner at your favorite restaurant and arrange with the waiter to display the ring in a box as one of the choices on the dessert tray, or write "Will you marry me?" in chocolate sauce on the rim of her dessert plate. Remember to make your reservations early in the month because restaurants are very busy on this night and you will need the staff to help with your special arrangements.

• Rent a limousine. Propose to her in the limo on the way to or from your special evening. Be sure to bring champagne or sparkling cider to celebrate.

• Rent your favorite romantic movie. Make it special with homemade popcorn and her favorite movie treat. Tell her you want your own happy ending by proposing as the credits roll at the end.

• Give her three roses: Tell her one represents the past, one represents the present and the last one (with the ring tied to it) represents the future. It is estimated that 110 million roses will be sold for Valentine’s Day so be sure to order your roses early for the prettiest petals.

• Turn out all the lights in your apartment or home. Make a trail with candlelight leading her to your engagement ring.

• Send her on a treasure hunt. Provide clues all over town to your favorite spots or just around the house. The last hint should lead her to you, with the diamond engagement ring in hand.

• Create a special book filled with pictures of the two of you. On the last page include a photo of a bride and groom and paste pictures of your faces on the bride and groom with “Will You Marry Me?” written at the bottom.

• Buy 13 days worth of small gifts and wrap them individually. Number each package 1 though 13 and insert a note with each gift. The notes could be 13 reasons why you love her. Tell your sweetheart to start opening the packages on February 1 and on Valentines Day give her gift number 14 in person. Write “Will You Marry Me?” on the last note.

In order to make your Valentine’s Day proposal perfect present your sweetheart with a beautiful diamond engagement ring. And remember, no matter how you say it, your marriage proposal is going to be a special and memorable moment in your relationship.

Further Reading


Naughty Games for Grown-ups by Jenny Thomson

The Lovers' Book: For the Lover Who's Best at Everything by Kate Gribble

Words To Make You Smile p/b by Richard Meade

 


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Valentine's Day Personalized Gift Ideas

Children's Valentine in somewhat questionable ...Image via Wikipedia
Valentine's day is almost upon us - the holiday of love, romance, and sentimental gifts. Choosing the perfect gift for your loved one doesn't have to be an overwhelming task, however. When in doubt, personalized gifts are always a great option, allowing you to show you care in a unique and creative way.

Flowers, chocolates, and the like are romantic, but lack personality. By taking the time to design a custom, personalized gift for your loved one, you show them that you truly care about them on this special day. By engraving a special item with a custom quote or message, you can create a truly unique gift that they are sure to treasure for all time.

If you're looking for another great personalized gift option, consider a photo gift. Dating, wedding, or anniversary photos make wonderful personalized gifts, allowing you to reminisce about special moments together. Consider inscribing a favorite photo in crystal for a long lasting and thoughtful gift that is sure to melt her heart. Or have your wedding invitation text engraved in glass, a lasting memory of your special day. There are many wonderful options available for preserving photos. You can choose an engraved album, custom scrapbook, or even have the photo itself etched in glass.

If you'd still like to give jewellery as a valentine gift, consider having a special piece customized with a photo. Photo lockets allow your loved one to wear a special family picture, keeping her loved ones close at all times. Customized photo jewelry can also be engraved with a special message, name, or date, making it an unforgettable gift.

If you're looking for the perfect valentine gift for the man in your life, consider an engraved photo frame. You can create a loving, witty, or humorous message showing him just why you care, and add it to the frame. Or, you could engrave a sports mug with a custom message. Imagine the smile on his face when he uses his new mug, labeling himself the "World's Most Handsome Man" for all to see. Personalized gifts are limited only by your imagination, so start dreaming up a great gift today!

Personalized gifts set you apart from the crowd. By choosing to honor your loved one with a special item, created just for them, you show them that you truly care. Take the time to personalize a special item, piece of jewelry, or photo engraved for your loved one today. These personalized gifts make the perfect gift for Valentine's Day, as well as any other special day that the two of you share.





Further Reading

Naughty Games for Grown-ups by Jenny Thomson


 









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Thursday, 11 February 2010

Romantic Ideas for a Memorable Valentine's Day

A great book for those people who struggle to come up with creative and unique ideas for a memorable Valentine's Day. This book includes some of the most thoughtful, creative and inspirational ideas for planning out an incredibly romantic day that they will never forget. Show that special someone in your life that they mean the world to you, these simple ideas provide the perfect twist to spicing up your Valentine's Day.

Check out the great book we have on this website.