Valentine's Day is not about the urge to splurge but about celebrating your loved one by showing them how much you care. More than the price tag, gifts and activities on that day should reflect how much you know and understand your significant other. The key is to personalize. The day traditionally starts with flowers, but don't just get a bunch of red roses - add a little twist to the gesture. If it's a new relationship for example, get her roses for every day you've been together. Same goes if you're counting down to a special day or maybe the number of Valentine's you've celebrated together. And there's no law that says it has to be a bouquet of red roses; if daisies are her favorite flower go for that instead. For chocolate and candy, fill a box with your partner's favorites even if it means a basket of Samba and Jelly Cola. If it's the finest Swiss chocolate, spend a little and order it because the look on their face will certainly be worth it. One recommendation is to start the day by sending a box of Moushy's by Mai Salama: mouthwatering Valentine's cupcakes that can be customized with names and pictures. Approximately 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged, according to the American Greetings Corporation and Greeting Card Association, but instead of a generic card, get one handmade by talented Sudanese-Guatemalan artist Amanie Hashim with a unique and personalized message. What you write on the inside of the card doesn't have to be a long paragraph about how deep your love is - an inside joke between the two of you will do wonders. Hashim's Facebook business, Little Pink Bird, has a range of products that can be tailor-made. You can order cards, candy buckets, which can also carry gifts, and even scrapbooks. You can print anything you want or even add a picture on the card or the bucket. As Hashim says, "Everything can be customized, I can basically do anything the client wants. So get creative! When it comes to the gift, make it something the person feels passionate about. A book by their favorite author, for example, or an album collection from their favorite band. If she is a fan of the Twilight Saga, get her the gift box with the complete series. If he is a fan of the Godfather, get him the trilogy on DVD; or if he is a sports fanatic, surprise him with a subscription to his favorite channel. What you do on that day should be something you both enjoy and that brings you closer together. You can ride to work together, for example, and on the way stop for a cup of your favorite coffee. Even better, start the day with breakfast at your favorite spot. If your daily routine includes going to the gym, try working out together - it'll certainly make for some great laughs and a special memory. If you're not planning to go out, head home and catch your favorite series or watch a movie. If you're making dinner plans, make it somewhere you have special memories. The key is to put thought into what you plan for that special day, and remember, the most important thing is to simply have fun together. Little Pink Birdby Amanie Hashim: [email protected] or Facebook group: Little Pink Bird Handmade Cards For Moushy's Cupcakes contact her via Facebook: Mai Salama or email her at: [email protected]
