Heart-felt Valentine's Gift Sends a Romantic Message
While many appropriate gifts can be purchased for Valentine's
Day, the most powerful romantic message to your heart's desire
might be delivered with something that costs nothing or very
little.
What can you give of yourself this Valentine's Day, using mostly
time and imagination? To help you decide, here are 10 ideas for
Valentine's gifts for men or women. Present one or more of these
gifts with or without purchased items and you will put an
unmistakable personal imprint on this special day.
1. Is there an item belonging to your sweetheart that needs
mending or repairing? Almost everyone has something that should
get fixed but doesn't for the longest time, mainly because of
busyness. But you can take the trouble to get it done, showing
both that you noticed the need and cared enough to use your own
valuable time to arrange or do the repair.
2. Schedule a telephone reunion with an old friend or relative
of your beloved who has been out of touch for some time. Hearing
from someone who meant a lot in days gone by provides an
emotional charge.
We all want to have these connections, but we get so busy with
everyday living that we neglect to make them happen. So if you
take the initiative and make the contact, your Valentine will be
surprised and pleased.
3. What task does your Valentine least like to do? Is it washing
dishes? Vacuuming? Cleaning the garage? Shopping for groceries?
Excluding undergoing surgery or a visit to the dentist, there
has to be something you can do in place of your sweetheart.
You could do the task without mentioning it and enjoy the
surprise when your work is noticed. If you're worried that your
effort won't be recognized, you could include a subtle hint with
your Valentine's card.
4. This is a high-end version of Number 3. A Valentine's gift
that keeps on giving will be very welcome. You could promise to
walk the dog every day for a month, cook meals for a week, tend
the lawn or assume any duties your darling normally does for a
set period.
Just remember, whatever commitment you make must be honored or
your gift will backfire. What could be less romantic than
promising something that doesn't happen?
5. Cooking a meal is an obvious gift, but there are some ways to
embellish it. Include special foods or beverages that you have
enjoyed together, especially when you first met or during early
dating.
If you fell in love while having pizza and beer, maybe that's
your menu. Tastes and smells locked in our memories evoke
powerful emotions, including romantic feelings. Don't overlook
the power of the right music, either. Which song have you loved
to dance to? What was playing the night you met? Put the music
on and relive the wonderful experience.
6. If you have been together for a while, here's a way to honor
your experiences: dig out your photos from various events and
display them. Whether it be your wedding, birth of a child, a
trip to Hawaii or camping in the woods, special occasions that
you have recorded with photographs can evoke romantic memories.
Since many photos get filed away indefinitely, Valentine's Day
is a great occasion to give them their due. Combine with
suggestion Number 5 and you have the makings of a superb
evening.
7. Is there something you have been meaning to do, and your
Valentine has been urging you to do (even nagging), but you just
haven't managed to achieve it? Taking a course that you need for
career advancement, perhaps, or getting a tooth chip repaired,
or starting an exercise program.
Everyone usually has an unresolved procrastination, despite
friendly encouragement. So get it done or started, then announce
the achievement or action with your Valentine's card. And don't
forget to say something like "just for you" or "thanks for your
wonderful support."
8. For those with writing skill, composing a special poem for
Valentine's Day is a natural no-cost gift. But what if you are a
creative klutz with a poetic heart?
Here's a solution: research romantic poetry at the library or
online until you find a poem that reflects your feelings. Then
copy it out in longhand, with a flourish if your penmanship is
up to it, on some fancy paper. (Don't forget to give proper
credit to the poet.) This can be your handmade Valentine's card,
or you might include the poem with a card you purchase.
9. If your sweetheart has an extensive collection of music,
books, photos or something similar, you could archive it on your
computer and create a useful gift. Demonstrating your interest
in the particular passion should earn you high marks.
10. The last suggestion is the deluxe treatment, but using any
or all of it could enhance Valentine's Day. If there's time in
the morning, offer a full breakfast with some delicacies
reserved for special occasions. If possible, arrange to meet for
a fancy picnic lunch, even if the weather dictates that you eat
in the car. Follow up with a candlelit dinner, where you
incorporate one or more of the suggestions noted above. Next,
well, use your imagination.
It doesn't take a lot of money for a memorable Valentine's Day.
Just spend some time and devotion in letting your beloved know
how you feel.