Happy Valentine’s Day!

Laura’s Take: Hi There! We just wanted to say Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone! This is such a fun holiday that you get to spend with your sweety. It’s nice have a day to completely devote to them, to show them how much you truly care and love them.

So what are Kris and I going to be doing on Valentine’s Day? Well I plan on making a romantic dinner for just the two of us. It should be really sweet. We talked about it earlier this week and decided that a nice candlelight dinner at home just sounded much more pleasant than going to a busy restaurant that doesn’t honor reservations, you know that Valentine’s Day traffic.

Anyways, have a very Happy Valentine’s day and we hope you all have an wonderful, loving, and safe Valentine’s day!

Gift Ideas for Men

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Kris’ Take:  Women always want to know what to get their man for holidays, I’ll do the best I can to provide some general ideas that may help you out.  You’ll have to gauge your guy to make sure these fit with his personality or career, but I think this will be a decent start:

• A nice watch (Laura got me a very nice one and I loved it!)
• A new briefcase (This is better for businessmen so get this if it’s needed, or if it’s better than the one he has.)
• A nice suit (Men like looking good for their women, so if you had him a suit that you say is hot, he’ll probably like it.)
• A better phone (These have become integral to businessmen)
• New shoes (I wear my shoes until the sole is gone, Laura doesn’t let this happen to me anymore.)
• A nice wallet (Nothing worse then a businessman busting out his gray nylon wallet with blue trim.)
• Cologne (This is kind of a last ditch effort unless the guy doesn’t shut up about it.  Laura had to skew the truth for a whole year about a cologne I liked.  She kept telling me she didn’t like it so I wouldn’t buy it so she could get it for me.  She actually loves the stuff.)
• Something from one of his hobbies or (I hate using this idea, but it’s safer if you’re unsure of what to get) a gift certificate to one of his favorite hobby stores.
• If he needs or uses tools a lot you can speak with a home improvements store employee about what tools are nice for his trade.  They can make recommendations on things that can make the job easier, or just upgrade what he already has. (Be sure to keep receipts just in case.)
• Things for his vehicle like satellite radio, GPS, or various decorations to enhance the look.  (Men typically like their vehicles a lot, and getting things to enhance the ride or make it look nicer are usually a pretty safe bet.)
• A sentimental gift like a picture frame with your names engraved (As long as your man doesn’t smash beer cans on his head.  Laura did this for me and it sits upon my desk, I really like it.)
• A vacation. (A little more pricey but fun for you both!)

Those are my ideas for now.  As I think of more I’ll be sure to add them, and if you have any ideas or ones that really worked out well leave them as a comment and I’ll add those too.

Sharing Valentine’s Day

Kris’ Take:  We all know that Valentine’s day is a washed up corporate holiday designed to sell chocolate and cards right?  While that can be the underlying truth, the two of you can make it into so much more.  Make it a day that the two of you are able to set aside work, school, chores, and any other responsibilities and focus on your relationship.  It’s so common to go day by day and every once in a while say “I love you.”  Use this day to show him or her that you love them.  Take them to their favorite restaurant, buy them their favorite flowers and chocolate, or go to a beautiful spot where the Sun is setting and have a romantic picnic.  Just because many people feel the holiday is washed up, it doesn’t mean that it has to be.  You don’t need to spend a million dollars to have a nice time and demonstrate your love.  It’ll  be like a one day vacation that I’m sure the two of you really need.  Enjoy your time together, and demonstrate how much you truly do love one another.

Valentine’s Day Tips

Laura’s Take: So we’re less than a month away and I’m sure you all aren’t scrambling yet, but time is a tickin’. Here’s just a few helpful tips that can really make an impression this Valentine’s Day.

Gift Giving:

Flowers and candy are traditional, but are also a bit of a cliché now a days. I’m not trying to say that flowers and candy aren’t a good idea. If you think she’s expecting them, then don’t try skipping them. I just think that instead of buying her something that’ll disappear in a few days, get her something that’ll last. If you’re a new couple, try a cute heart picture frame with a picture of the two of you. It’s a sweet memento that he or she can put in their room and see everyday. It’s fun to look back at old photos of when Kris and I started dating. If you’ve been dating awhile, try something a little more elaborate, such as an engraved picture frame, heart shaped bracelet, or even a ring… ~wink wink~ If you still want to be traditional and give her something to stimulate her sweet tooth, try making it yourself! It’s always nice to see a man who’s willing to bake for his woman!

Valentines:

Remember growing up and handing out Snoopy Valentines to everyone in your second grade class? They’re nice for 9 year olds, but not for a date. Buy a nice card (Hallmark) and write something sweet in it. If you really want to make an impression, make your own old fashioned Valentine. If you’re going to make your own Valentine, make sure you don’t skimp on any materials and take your time and really put some effort into it. If you work hard on it, it’ll show.

Dinner:

Obviously you don’t want to take your Valentine out for pizza, unless of course you know a classy pizza place. (Good Luck with that) My suggestion is that you find a nice restaurant with a romantic ambiance. When you’re seated, go straight to the dessert menu and have dessert before your dinner. After all, sometimes you’re too full to even get to dessert. (Something my mom taught me) Want to go a different route, make dinner! Find a nice recipe for two and set up the table with plenty of candles. Making dinner for your sweetheart is a great way to show them just how much you love them!

Kris’ Take: Now because this holiday is meant for our princesses it’s impossible for me to refute anything that Laura has said. I’d tell you what I’m planing on doing but then Laura wouldn’t be all that surprised So gentlemen, listen to any hints she might be dropping, and if you’re not getting any hints, listen to what Laura said, she gives good advice!