Pamela's Blog |
Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching. It's best not to wait until the last minute to decide what to do for your special someone. Otherwise, you'll end up doing the same old thing. Not that there's anything wrong with the standard: dinner, flowers, card and chocolates. But why not put a little more heart into it and make your loved one feel extra special and adored?
Remember, gifts that require time and imagination and that come from the heart say the most. Following are ten unique ways to say, "I love you." They won't require a lot of your money, but they will require the investment of your heart.
1) Surprise Date: Give your lover a card and state that you've planned a surprise date, something they will know nothing about except how to dress. You plan everything and do all the work. Try to make the dates unique, something that you and your lover haven't experienced before or at least something very special. Ambitious Variation: If you feel like really making a statement, commit to planning a surprise date once a month for the entire year!
Ideas: An elaborate picnic at a special location; an overnight trip to a town you haven't been; a kayak or canoe trip; his/her favorite performer in concert; a picnic at sunset on a secluded beach; a couple's workshop. The ideas are endless.
A wonderful idea is to give each other this gift and take turns; one month you plan everything and the next month your partner does. You can even blindfold your partner while driving to the destination!
2) Love Notes: Buy a pretty box and put it by your lover's bedside. Give a card to your lover that says your gift will be 365 love notes, one each day for the next year.
Find a package of assorted scraps of beautiful paper in the scrapbook section of your local craft store or go to a scrapbook specialty store. Provo Craft has a large package for about $13, ''Paper Palette: Hand Crafted Paper by Artisans." It contains a wonderful assortment of paper of various colors, designs and sizes. Be sure to use colored gel pens to pen your love letters.
I did this for my husband, and it became a wonderful bedtime ritual. He even began writing love notes to me and placing them on my pillow! We still use love notes to surprise each other now and then at bedtime.
You don't have to write them all at one, but have some extras on hand for hectic days when you won't have time to write. Each night for the entire year, you'll put a love note in the box. Your partner will ''check the mail'' each night in anticipation. Vary your notes in tone and content to keep your lover amused and entertained: be sweet, sexy, serious, formal, casual, fun, racy, humorous, or tender. After a squabble, use your note to apologize so that you don't go to bed upset.
3) Love Letter: Nothing says, "I love you," quite like a romantic love letter. Write a long, expressive love letter to your lover on a beautiful piece of stationery. You might spray your perfume or cologne on the paper. Women kiss the letter and or envelope wearing your favorite lipstick! Be sure to mail it a few days before Valentine's Day so that your lover receives it on time, but write on it, ''Don't Open Until Valentine's Day.''
4) Flowers Galore: Bring (or set them up to be delivered)your lover a beautiful bouquet on the 14th day of each month for the next year, starting of course with Valentine's Day.
5) Homemade Valentine: Buy romantic paper, find some gold hearts, ribbon or lace and make your lover a romantic Valentine. Use gel pens, paints or colored pencils. Use your imagination and have fun!
Variation: Using beautiful paper, list all of the things that you love about your lover, all that you appreciate, even the little things. Consider framing it.
6) Make: a compact disc or mp3 file of love songs for your lover.
Variation: If you're really ambitious, make a tape/cd singing a love song to your lover. You can find a local studio that will record it for you and even provide the music. OR just sing a cappella and do it at home.
7) Poetry: Compose a poem for your lover on beautiful paper. You can even write it in calligraphy. (Or, you can cheat and use stencils or pens that give the look of calligraphy.)
Another idea is to use your computer and print it out with fancy type. You can even frame it. If you're not much of a writer, try using a famous poet's love poem.
Famous poets who wrote love poems include Edna St. Vincent Millay, Robert Browning, Elizabeth Browning, John Dunne, Kahlil Gibran, Rainer Maria Rilke, Rumi, and Pablo Neruda.
8) Touch: Give the gift of touch by giving your partner a one or two-hour massage. Set the room with a scented candle and meditative, relaxing music. Use sensuous oil and make sure you get every single spot of your lover: from the earlobes to between the toes.
9) Bubble Bath: Take a long, sensuous bubble bath with your lover. Be sure to set the ambience: Light a candle or two (or twenty); have some romantic music playing; put some lavender, jasmine or any favorite essential oil in the bath. Once you're in the tub, wash your lover's hair and entire body, and well, use your imagination! Variation: Use rose petals instead of bubble bath.
10) Collage: Make a photo collage and frame it. Collecting your favorite memories into a collage, framing and hanging it takes a little time, but think of the joy that will be added to your lives every time you look at it. Your lover (and you) will appreciate the gift all year.
The gifts people remember most are those given from the heart. They aren't necessarily the most expensive. Gifts that require thought, creativity, and planning; gifts that last all year; and things made by you speak a lot more deeply to your lover's heart than dinner and a box of chocolates.
And remember, the most important thing is to be romantic and have fun! Here's to you having the best Valentine's Day ever!
Pamela is a Relationship & Laws of Attraction Coach, Workshop Facilitator and Author. She works with people who desire to live more consciously, to live from their hearts and to become more fully who they are. She specializes in working with people who are ready have the relationship of their heart's desire. To schedule a coaching session, visit www. empoweringlove.com or email Pamela at pamela@empoweringlove.com ATTRACT THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE, NOW!
Contact the author, Pamela Ramey-Tatum
, at pamela@empoweringlove.com |
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