So it is just about that time…getting ready to mail out Valentines to loved ones or just that one special someone.

photo credit: lovelihood

Of course, Martha Stewart’s site has many ideas for Valentines – from easy to intricate.  All are beautiful, but I decided to peruse the batch and pick a few of my faves:

* Block Print Valentines – I thought these Valentine’s had nice visual impact with the bold colors and pretty designs – but the beauty of this is that you can personalize this any way you want to!
* Hearts and Blocks Valentines – These Valentines have a much simpler feel with muted tones and each one you make will be unique.
* Hand-Stitched …read more

I was browsing the internet late one night and I came across a question posted on a Yahoo! board from a freshman in high-school who wanted to get his girlfriend something special  We’ve all been there.  Not a lot of money but wanting to impress that special someone that you don’t know that well yet because you’ve only been dating for two months…

So, what do you do?  Here’s an easy, thoughtful idea.  Take a photo album or brag book (something like this is really inexpensive and would work well), and instead of just putting pictures in it, write down or print out cards that are the same size as a photo and write down some of the (many!) reasons you love them.

This idea easily can be translated to gifts for many recipients and/or occasions.  Write down the reasons you love your best friend and memories that you have shared.  …read more

My boyfriend’s father is intelligent, kind and caring.  I see him actively seek out his wife to hug and kiss her, tell her how much he loves her, joke lovingly with her.  He loves her dearly and has the tools to be a wonderful gift giver but for their anniversary, he gave her an ice chest.  Alright, maybe she complained that their ice chest sucked or something but it does not show romance nor his happiness to have shared nearly fifty years together.

Here’s the thing – an ice chest doesn’t have to be a bad anniversary present.  He actually was trying to say he loved her with that ice chest.  They take a lot of weekend trips to their beach house and they sail together and it represents something to the both of them.  But handing her that ice chest and presenting it as a present (this is key!) …read more