Valentines Day is just around the corner......While some of us are still hunting for a Valentine........Others are stressed over what to give to their Valentine.........
I can remember when Valentine's Day was exciting and simple, many moons ago, back in the days of Elementary School. A shoe box would be decorated with pretty paper doilies and we would either make our own Valentine notes or if we were fortunate purchase a "punch out" book or box of Valentines to distribute to our friends. Those were exciting days.....wouldn't it be nice if we could get excited over little things like this again?
The truth is we can, it is a choice isn't it. Why do we feel stressed and/or obligated to find the perfect Valentine gift to express our feelings towards someone? Should it be big, small, how expensive, etc.? We have brought this onto ourselves, is the answer. We have allowed everything to become so commercialized.
Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Do you really know what Valentine's Day is all about? I think that Valentine's day is the best day to tell the person you love that you love them. Love the person you are with, appreciate them for their differences and take the time to really let them know how much they add to your life and how much they mean to you. But if we have this special person in our lives, shouldn't we be doing this on a regular basis?
Since the economy is as it is, would it be bad to get back to basics. Let's not judge on what things are valued at. Think about your special person and what they are passionate about, what do they like and what would you like to do for them. It can be simple, it can be elaborate, for sure it does not need to cost a lot of money.
Think about these ideas or others of your own:
1. Recreate your first date together. If the date goes well, you might even get another.
2. On a rainy day, pack a romantic picnic to eat i an unusual place indoors. It could be a walk-in-closet, the attic, the basement, or on the floor of the bedroom. Have fun, and be a bit bizarre together.
3. Get out early in the morning and graffiti a message in chalk where your special person will see it. It could be on the driveway, the sidewalk, or outside where they work.
4. Plant a tree and dedicate it to your special person. Pack a picnic and head to the tree to reveal your gift. It symbolizes a growing relationship.
5. Make a relationship album, jot down all the things you enjoy together. It could be an occasion, movies, books, restaurants, places you want to visit together, events of your relationship or anything else.
6. Send your Valentine a Thank You Note for something that meant a lot to you, or for just being in your life. Make them feel appreciated.
7. Have dinner at home...make your sweetheart's favorite meal, from cooking to cleaning up. If the food and service is good you might even get a good tip.
8. Invite your hone out for an evening of old-fashioned romantic cliches. Bring flowers to begin to the final walk up to the doorstop, play the romantic roles.
9. A romantic message in any unlikely place will surely make your sweetheart smile.
10. Hide a photograph or something that will evoke an intimate memory in your Love's lunch box, briefcase, personal calendar, etc. the discovery will be amusing and a surprise.
11. If you don't already know, do a little detective work and find out your honey's favorite children's book. Track it down and present it. It is a particular timely gift for a special occasion or a special non-occasion when they may be weary from the pressure of being adult.
12. Make up a Sweets Box. Buy a few pieces of candy and put them in the box with other things of your choosing. You could include a photograph, a flower, some seashells from your last beach trip, movie tickets, a poem you write, or anything else you think of.
The bottom line is, actions speak louder then other things. If you have someone special in your life let them know, not just on Valentines day, but every day.
Why not, make everyday........Valentines day!
Some Old Fashioned Valentine Traditions........
Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.
Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.
Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.
If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.
Interesting Fact
According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas).
The History of Valentine' Day
Most of all, have a happy Valentines Day!
Ed Sullivan greets The Jackson 5 during their guest appearance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' on Dec. 14, 1969. 
