MissDomestic.com

By Jason S. Parker

We could all spend a little extra on a really nice meal or buying your partner some perfume that they really like.  But if you really want to show your partner your romantic side then why not also present her or him with a gift that you have made yourself.  Not to mention it can be loads of fun.  Below we provide 5 different Valentine’s Day craft ideas which you may want to consider trying for this coming February 14th.

1. Candy Filled Heart - Take some white or pink paper (not too thick and not too thin) and cut out two identically shaped hearts.  Then take one heart and decorate this using glitter etc, and when dried attach to the other but leave the top of the heart open so that you can place a number of beautifully made heart shaped chocolates inside.  Then seal and present to your loved one.

2. Heart In Your Hands - For this you will need to scan your hand into a computer and then using a program such as ClipArt or  PhotoShop place a heart in the center of the palm.  Then very steadily insert a picture of your loved one into the center of the heart and on it place the saying “You Have My Heart in Your Hands”.  Once prepared, print off the picture onto some heat transfer material and then transfer the image on to a piece of clothing of your choice.

3. Mouse pad - If your partner spends hours at their computer each day why not present them with a mouse pad on which you can place a message of love that they will be able to read and treasure throughout the year.  To make it even more special why not go for a heart shaped one rather than the more traditional square or oblong ones.

4. Love Scrapbook - If you have the time why not make up a book of the time that you have been together and which you can then present to your loved one on Valentine’s Day.  It is a good idea to keep hold of little mementos from days that you have spent together such as ticket stubs of places that you visited (cinemas, theatres etc).  Also, include within some pictures and words that mean things to you.

5. Valentine’s Wreath - Again if you have time get hold of some various sized wooden hearts and then paint them.  Ideally use colors such as pink, red and white for them and then write words that are important and special to you both.  Once dried stick them onto a grapevine wreath and add a ribbon to it so that it can be hung up for all to see.

Along with the Valentine’s Day craft ideas we have provided above for you, a quick search of the internet and you will find plenty more.  Making something yourself will really show the person to whom you are giving the gift just how much they really mean to you.  It’s often the effort that shows the love.

Jason Parker is a rep at www.stvalentinesdaygiftbaskets.com where the sweetest and tastiest gift baskets are available.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

By Natalie Aranda

Love has many different meanings in every single language but there is a universal traditional day when people express their inner feelings for each other, either love or friendship. Valentine’s Day was coined as the exchange day for those with these naturally feelings for others, throughout all cultures.

The origins of Valentine’s day are traced back to the Medieval era associated with the Catholic Church feast day, but love and fertility nexus with this particular date falling on February 14 comes from the ancient times of Greece, when the Athens calendar included a period between mid January and mid February called the Gamelion, a month dedicated to the sacred marriage of Zeus and Hera, hence associated with love and fertility.

Lupercalia, the festival of Lupercus, the God of Fertility, was the equivalent in the Roman Empire and taking place on February 15, time of purification rituals. Lupercus was represented as a half-naked man dressed in goatskins. His priests sacrificed goats to the god on this day and after drinking wine, they ran through the Roman streets holding pieces of goat and touching anyone in their run including women in the belief to receive an easy childbirth.

There is no written reference about how Saint Valentine became the romantic love protector, in fact the Catholic martyrologies mention three different Saint Valentines under the date of February 14; a priest in Rome, a bishop of Interamna, and a martyr in the Roman province of Africa, making even more obscure the origins of this celebration.

However, in the 5th century the feast of Saint Valentine was officially decreed to be on February 14 by Pope Gelasius I during the year 496. In a later assumption, this could be just an attempt to supersede pagan holidays like Lupercalia celebrated in Rome until then. Apart from this historical setting, the rest is just legends.

Throughout time, the gift of blooming wild flowers was a common practice to demonstrate romantic love or affection between partners on Valentine’s Day. Daisy flowers became a sort of “yes-no” love divination. Today, daisies have their own meaning of innocence and loyal love, associated with the fifth wedding anniversary.

During the 19th century, roses took their place having different meanings according to their color or numbers of flowers given on Valentine’s Day. It was during the Victorian century when relics exhumed from the Roman catacombs of Saint Hippolytus were identified with Saint Valentine.

In 1836, the relics were donated by Pope Gregory XVI to the Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland, but once again, the obscure origins of Valentines (or Valentinus) and his relics are alleged to lie at the reliquary of Roquemaure in France and in Sankt Stephans Kirche in Vienna.

Instead of an uncertain Saint image, the 19th century associated the figure of the winged Cupid to Saint Valentine’s Day, along with and heart-shaped outline cards and paper cuts to be sent with flowers on this day, tradition remains today when a wide array of flowers can be chosen online and delivered anywhere just by placing your order via the internet.

Natalie Aranda is a freelance writer. She writes about family, love and relationship. She enjoyed the experience of www.serenataflowers.com/sendflowers/Surrey.htm in Surrey, UK for

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

By Tony Connor

Jewelry is a traditional Valentine’s gift, but why not push the envelope and get her some unique jewelry?  It will show her your love and set her apart in the crowd.  She will love any jewelry gift you get her, but it makes it a bit more fun to get something different.

What do we mean by unique jewelry?  What we don’t mean is jewelry that she never wears - if she doesn’t wear it she may not like it!  Unique jewelry is either a stone she has never worn, designs that are a little unusual, personalized jewelry or jewelry from a different culture.

When buying unique jewelry there are a number of things to bear in mind.  First, and most important, make sure she will like it.  If you don’t know her tastes well enough then get something a little bit different; if you know her very well then go all out - she will at least enjoy the fact you tried to do something different and will appreciate the thought at least.  Also, you may have to pay a little more for truly unusual jewelry but you should be able to get something reasonable online.  The other thing to bear in mind is that if she really likes it she may want to get matching pieces, so make a note of what the store has in terms of similar designs or sets.

It may be worth thinking about getting a number of pieces, instead of just one.  She is more likely to like at least one piece in that case, and it’s nice to get a set.

Having something unique to wear will make her stand out and it’s something she can show off to her friends.  It also demonstrates to the world your love for each other and makes you both feel good about your relationship.

So bite the bullet and get her something different today!

Tony Connor is the owner of http://www.BrightGiftIdeas.com with gift suggestions for everyone. 

Article Source: EzineArticles.com