Happy Valentine's Day

Mad Love

Happy Valentine's Day

The big day is finally here! Are you ready? Have you planned out your meal and purchased presents? Do you have an outfit?


As we celebrate love and romance today, take a moment to think about courtship rituals of the past. These days, flowers and chocolate are the most common presents given on Valentine's Day. But perhaps someday these tokens of love will seem quaintly adorable, like the old English tradition of gifting the person of your fancies a pair of gloves. Wearing the gloves signified a return of affections, a ritual a bit more complicated than a quick trip to the florist.



You Can Still Get a Gift




Valentine's Day is scarily soon if you still haven't bought a present. (And if you think that I've already purchased and wrapped a gift...well, I like that you think that about me. But, unfortunately, you're mistaken.)



If you're in a similar fix, there's no need to fear! There are plenty of great gifts you can get right up 'till the moment you see your sweetie. No one ever need know that the present is freshly purchased and wrapped. Books about love are a gift that'll keep anyone entertained for hours. And, if you didn't plan an entire romantic spa getaway, a gift certificate for spa sessions works nearly as well.

More Last-Minute Presents:
Valentine's Day Gifts for Women
Books of Love Poetry
The Best Diamond Studs (for any budget!)
Gifts for Him

Plan Your Romantic Spa Getaway



Every day is a great time to visit a spa and pamper yourself. But, if you need an excuse, Valentine's Day is a particularly nice occasion to pamper yourself. For couples, one of these romantic spas can be a lovely place to spend a day or long weekend.

If you're planning on having a romantic spa getaway, there are some important things to ask before you make your reservation. You'll want to make sure that the spa has coed waiting areas, and packages aimed at couples. Otherwise, your romantic getaway might wind up being a solo experience, with your only together time at check-in and check-out.




Gifts for Him


Electronics aside, finding presents for men can be a challenging task. Since I've already purchased every gizmo and gadget in existence during previous holidays, I need some help picking out a present. Thanks to Daniel, our trusty guide to all things men's fashion, I have a sense of what not to buy. At the top of the bad gift list? Mittens for two, and novelty ties. This great list of present ideas for men includes several options outside of electronics, that might just be the perfect gift. And, if you're shopping for a man who appreciates the finer things in life, check out these luxurious gift ideas.




Romantic Getaways


You don't get the nickname "City of Love" by accident. Paris is -- hands down -- the most romantic city in the world, and the perfect place to take a holiday with your significant other. Do you have the time and finances to take a vacation this Valentine's Day? Paris isn't the only romantic place you can stay -- although it does house many lovely hotels. From London to Las Vegas, there are tons of great places to have a romantic vacation.


Having trouble deciding what kind of romantic getaway is right for you? From cruises to bed-and-breakfasts ,we've got all the information you'll need to make your vacation choice this holiday.




For the Kids

In addition to long division, one of the basic skills learned in elementary school is the fine art of making Valentine’s Day cards. Remember the satisfaction of folding paper in half before cutting, so that both sides of your heart would be even? And what about the thick white glue, always clinging to your fingers as well as the white faux lace? Valentine’s Day activities were much more fun than learning arithmetic and spelling.

Like Halloween, Valentine’s Day is a great day for the kids, since it involves candy, hearts, and homemade cards. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can throw a party for the kids this Valentine’s Day, and play some of these great holiday games. Are gifts being exchanged in your child's classroom? Some of these small (and inexpensive) presents might do the trick. Feeling more low-key? Carey's got a fabulous list of family-friendly movies.



What's Your Favorite Romantic Movie?

Mine is Love Actually. I've saved it permanently on my DVR, and when I see people scroll over its listing there, I get nervous they'll somehow erase it. (Sometimes this nervousness is expressed by grabbing the remote from friends' hands.) I'm not the only person that feels excessive love for a favorite movie: thanks to my college roommate, I can pretty much recite the entire dialog of When Harry Met Sally. I'm happy to say my Billy Crystal declaration of love impersonation is spot-on.

This Valentine's Day, spend some time with these classic romantic movies. Or, try out some newer -- but still great -- indie classics, like the talky and sweet Before Sunset. So, what's your favorite romantic movie?

Send a Card


aspire to be a person with a perpetually clean house, who promptly sends out holiday cards and thank-you notes. It's a less than perfect world, though, so generally, I'm shoving clutter in closets when guests unexpectedly arrive, and I don’t even try to send Christmas cards at all. Instead, I send cards for more unusual holidays. Last Valentine’s Day, I bought and sent cards featuring characters from Law & Order, which said things like, “You’re served…with love!” and “In the criminal justice court, you’re especially gorgeous!”
Those cards were a big success, so I'm going to be even more ambitious -- this year, I plan to make my own Valentine's Day cards, and you can too. I'm also pondering the idea of making my best friend this scarf: it's easy, red, and pretty, and altogether the perfect gift.


More Crafty Gifts for Valentine's Day:
Make a Romantic Gift Basket
Homemade Truffles



Look Pretty on Valentine's Day


Looking pretty on Valentine's Day can be a tough mission: the weather tends towards arctic, and a desire to put on sweats and a thick sweater is completely forgivable. If it's true that love is blind, presumably, even an outfit that makes you look like a snowman will be attractive to someone in love.


But if you have a little less faith in the power of love, you might want to spend some time beautifying, and looking pretty on Valentine's Day. Will you be wearing pink? Check out tips on how to wear the color well. Going out to dinner? A little black dress will go perfectly. And, perfectly applied red lipstick will always help you look your best, whether it's for Valentine's Day or any other day of the year.




Show Your Love

“Write about me! And how much you love me!” was my boyfriend's special request. Yeah -- that's not going to happen. I’m not a fan of public displays of love and mushiness. You'll never see me accepting a proposal made on a jumbotron. If you can't propose on a huge TV, and you don’t want to profess your love in front of everyone, how can you show your feelings?


Saying "I love you" for the first time can be tense, but doesn't have to be if you follow these basic steps. Step number one -- thinking about if you're really in love -- is the most important part. After that, though, how can you consistently let someone know you love them? Sheri and Bob have some nice tips on creative ways to express your love, from sharing memories to writing unexpected love notes.


So -- how will you show your love?


Make Valentine's Day Sweet
Valentine's Day Proposal Ideas