Find Something Fun For Valentine's Day!

Whether we like it or not, Valentine's Day is upon us. People have a wide variety of reactions to this day. Some people, especially those that are in the beginning of a relationship, enjoy it immensely. Others, who aren't in a relationship or in one that has been going badly, hate this holiday. I tend to agree with my father, who thinks that the idea of the day has been ruined by too much commercialism. Valentine's Day shouldn't just be about getting a gift for you loved one. It should also be about reconnecting with the feelings that brought you together in the first place. Why did you fall in love with that particular person?

Tender and sentimental feelings aside, it is still fun to get your significant other something special for Valentine's Day. The trick is not to buy something just to buy it. The trick is to find something that is an extension of your feelings. Plus, it has to be within your price range! Women are traditionally better and finding gifts for Valentine's Day, but men can sometimes surprise us. On my very first Valentine's Day, my husband took me out to dinner at a nice restaurant, bought me flowers and presented me with diamond earrings. Whew! A holiday like that can be hard to top! But finding the right gift is not as important as how you spend the day.

As I am sure it is with most couples, our Valentine's Days have run the gamut from exciting to mild to downright forgotten when we had a baby in the first part of February. Still, each year we have tried to make an effort. (Well, except for that year with the baby because he had colic and we were beyond tired!) Some years we have marked Valentine's Day with a simple card, and some years we have had a special family dinner with furry bears and candy hearts for our kids.

Over the years, I have found some great places to shop. Two of my favorites are www.redenvelope.com and www.harryanddavid.com. Red envelope is known for their tasteful, unique gifts. They have things that are useful, things that are sexy, and things that you would not generally think of. Plus, they will gift wrap them for you in a smart red box with a white bow. How perfect is that? I also like Harry and David because they have delicious food treats for Valentine's Day. Cookies, fruit, chocolate, you name it. You can always find something that is in your price range, and their quality can't be matched.

So, pick something fun, pick something tasty, but pick something that represents your feelings and do not worry about having to buy into the commercialism that pervades this holiday. Red roses aren't always the answer. Sometimes, it is all about something else that is more personal and will make your honey smile because you know them so well.

by Christena Palmer