Welcome, Brigit Aine

The month of romance has arrived… chocolate, hearts, pink, red, flowers, stuffed animals…all the things that we associate with the month of February because of the holiday Valentine’s Day. Romance in all of its forms arrives with a rush so that everyone is prepared by the 14th, middle of the month holiday. Since we all know romance means a lot of things to everyone, from a full moon in a midnight sky to a simple hug from someone you love I thought I would focus on something different. Valentine’s Day is a day that some of us find hard to deal with. Not because we don’t believe in romance, I mean really, I write romance for a hobby…but because it seems that romance has become so commercialized it is difficult to figure out what to do for those you love or want to show appreciation to.

Below is a list of different, “homemade”, personal creative gifts that those you love may enjoy. These are romantic in the simple way. The way of expressing yourself not necessarily through the most expensive jewelry or evening out, but through doing something simple and special for the ones that are important to you.

For The One You Love, the Special One
• Breakfast in bed.
• Make your sweetheart's favorite meal or take your sweetheart out for a special dinner.
• Send your valentine (male or female) flowers at work. If you are on a tight budget, give just one single hand-delivered flower. Remember, it's the thought not the quantity.
• Do something unexpected! Drive across town to take your Valentine out for lunch.
• Send a gift basket of indulgent items.
• Embroider "I Love You" on his pillowcase. You could also use a water resistant marker.
• Poetry is traditional for Valentine's Day. Make up your own or buy a book of love poems that you can read together.
• Dedicate a favorite song to your Valentine on a radio show that he or she will be listening to.
• Write "I Love You" in lipstick or shaving cream on the mirror. You could also tape a heart with the words "I Love You" if you prefer an easier clean up.
• If your sweetheart is going to be away from you on Valentine's Day, get several Valentine's Day cards and put them in different places in his or her luggage. You could sequence them with "Open Me on February 14th" or "Open Me on February 15th" to create some suspense. Don't limit this idea to just Valentine's Day!

Others you are close to
Everyone loves a gift on Valentine's Days: Parents, children, friends and relatives. It doesn't have to be expensive, just show you care!
• Hide a valentine in a lunch box, briefcase or purse. Imagine the smile on their face when they find it during the day.
• Carry a pocketful of chocolate kisses. Pass them out as you let the recipient know that you appreciate them.
• Go to the American Red Cross and give blood or make a donation in honor of those you love.
• Sign the back of your driver's license to become an organ donor.
• Make your kids valentine-shaped cinnamon toast for breakfast or heart-shaped cookies for a special treat.

Simple Ideas for everyone
• Wear something red.
• Take a special treat into the office to share with your co-workers.
• Show the people you work with that you really rely on just how important they are by buying a small token gift: a mylar balloon that says "You're Special," a coffee cup filled with candy, a single flower, or take them out to lunch!
• Make your own love stamp to personalize your valentines. Carve a heart on a rubber eraser and stamp it with a red ink pad.
• Seal all your messages with initials or drawings that the recipient must figure out the meaning. For example: A.F.F. (A friend forever) or S.W.A.K. (sealed with a kiss.) The guessing game could go on for days.
• Visit someone in a retirement home, nursing home or hospital.


Coupon Ideas

If you are romantically dysfunctional here are some coupon ideas that you can create and then fill out and give to your Sweetheart! If you remembered to buy your Sweetheart a gift, you may still want to print these out and hide them in various locations where they will be found after Valentine's Day. What a nice surprise!
Full Body Massage
Romantic Dinner Out (without the kids)
One House Cleaning
One Shopping Spree (limit $____)
One Weekend Away (you choose)
One Spa Day
One Weekend Off
One Sleep In late (includes breakfast in bed)

Note: Look for Brigit's new release coming March 7th from Eternal Press.