Valentine's Day - It Isn't Just Candy

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. What do you think about when you think of Valentine's Day?  It is the traditional roses and heart shaped boxes of chocolate? Or do you have your own special way to celebrate? Or do you not celebrate?  

I don’t know about you but on the few occasions that I received one of those heart shaped boxes of candy, there was a mint piece in the box and the mint smell invaded every piece in the box. I think that those boxes are more appealing to the eye than the stomach. Maybe I just never got the right kind…

As for the red roses, Silent Sam did send me roses for Valentine’s Day early on in our relationship. They arrived late and were horrendously expensive. We decided that we could forgo that practice. 

How about some ideas for celebrating without candy and roses?

You Aren't Cheap – You Are Thrifty

Don’t forget to check out the various web sites for discounts on meals, gifts, or entertainment.  Go to Groupon, Amazon Local, Living Social  and Restaurant. com to see if there is something to make your Valentine’s Day special.  You don’t get points for paying full price.  

For A Romantic Evening

There are several movies opening on Valentine’s night. You could go out for a movie and dinner.  Here is a list of the new movies. 

Or for a stay at home evening, you could get some popcorn, a romantic DVD, and a blanket to snuggle under. Romantic DVD movie ideas can be found here. 

Frame It

How about a nice picture frame with either a picture of you and your sweetheart or a special picture from your times together? Maybe that sunset that you watched together? Or that picture from the Halloween party? You can get a copy of a digital photo quickly by sending the file to your local Walgreen's and then picking it up the same day. Picture frames can be found at some art supply stores, department stores, and even some drug stores.  

Join It

How about a membership to your local museum or botanical garden?  Not only are you supporting a good cause but you will also have a year of special events to discover thanks to the membership. 

Issues, we have issues

There are magazines for every interest. There are over 36,000 entries on Amazon for magazine subscriptions.  You can even print a gift card right from the site.  No idea what magazine your sweetie might like?  Look along the side of the magazine subscription page for the categories. A category might just jump out at you.  Search for "photography" and there are 265 choices.  You may need to do some sifting but you should be able to find a magazine that will suit your Valentine.  

A Tisket A Tasket

There is nothing like a gift basket filled with goodies. (It can be a gift bag if you don’t have a basket) For your best girl, you could get a scented candle, bath salts, nice smelling lotion, and a gift certificate for a new MP3. 

Or for your favorite fellow, how about a basket with Valentine’s Day socks, some funny or sexy Valentine’s Day boxers, and a pair of Valentine’s Day sleep pants. 

Another idea would be a foot care basket.  It could have some diabetic socks, a tube of moisture lotion (if your sweetie’s feet are really dry, try a salve like Aquaphor), and a gift certificate for a foot rub from you.

For a female, you might want to add some nail polish and those thingies that you put between your toes during a pedicure. 

A Rose By Any Other Name…

For the true romantic, how about a book of poetry or a recording of poetry? You can pick up (or send directly to his/her Kindle) The 100 Best Love Poems of All Time edited by Leslie Pockell. You can order a copy from Amazon here. 

There is not much jangle in my pocket

Feeling a little broke this Valentine’s Day but really want to do something meaningful? Write your sweetheart a letter. Tell them why they are so special to you. Let them know that you appreciate them and all the wonderful things about them.  This could be the most best gift of all.

I wish you a lovely Valentine’s Day.  I hope you celebrate whether you have a sweetheart or not.  After all, you should do something special for yourself sometimes too.  

Thanks for reading.