Wednesday, January 19, 2011

12 Creative Ideas for Valentine's Day or Anytime

(Some Romantic and Some for the Entire Family)

(Dating couples could use or adapt many of these ideas, as well.)

<3 I REMEMBER WHEN ...Write out reasons why you love your husband or "I remember when..." (remembrances of your special times together). Cut strips of paper (about 2x3") or hearts from card stock or construction paper and punch a hole in each one. Buy a bouquet of roses or other flowers and arrange in a vase (fresh or silk flowers). Then tie your love notes to each flower stem with ribbons.

<3 HIDDEN HEART-SHAPED NOTES

Another way that you could revise the idea above is to tie “Heart-shaped Notes” everywhere around your house, so your husband will find them throughout the day – on his socks, toothbrush, toothpaste tube, to the stem of an apple in his lunch, the doorknob, the steering wheel (after he comes home), his car keys, his silverware, around his glass at dinner, his coffee mug, under his plate, etc. Examples for notes:

I first knew that I loved you when...
I remember our first date...
I remember when you asked me to marry you ...
I love you because ...
I admire you for ...

I did this for an anniversary – I believe it was for our 33rd – so I tied that number of valentines – everywhere! My husband was still finding them the next evening and it was a lot of fun!

During the year we occasionally try to keep a red heart hidden for the other to find - just another way to say, "I love you!" One of us hides the heart and the other finds it, then hides it again - in a spot where the other person would likely find it.

<3 COLOR COPIED ROMANTIC PICTURE BOOKLET

Color copy an entire page of old pictures of you and your husband from during your dating years and afterwards for just a dollar or two. Crop the color copies and use a glue stick to adhere these pictures in a little romantic booklet for your sweetheart with your own special captions. Use card stock for the title page - "The Romance of Joe and Beth!" He will love it!

<3 A HANDMADE VALENTINE - OR WRITE HIM A LOVE LETTER

Rather than going out and buying a valentine for your husband this year, why not make a personalized card? Fold a plain 8 1/2 by 11" piece of paper in half, then in half again. On the front, you could use a rubber stamp of a heart or flowers, paste a floral picture from an old card, paste a cut-out heart, or use a paper doily with the words, "How do I love thee?" (Or "How do I love you?").

On the inside write, "Let me count the ways." Then list for your husband the things you like about him - (1) His character (honesty, integrity, dependability, godliness, faithfulness, hard working, kindness, sensitivity to your needs, the way he treats his parents, the way he spends time with your children, etc.); (2) His talents (being able to fix things around the house without calling a handyman, his organizational ability, his singing ability, his ability to remember names, his ability to plan for the future, his financial ability, etc.); (3) His looks (his nice smile, gorgeous blue eyes, broad shoulders, tall, his strong muscles, handsome, etc.); (4) Etc., Etc. Etc. Also let him know how much you appreciate his going to work every day to support your family. If you have trouble thinking of many good qualities, just think of the things that attracted you to him in the first place.

On the back of the card, draw a simple flower or a heart and write, "Made in (name of your city and state)." Write the date too. I guarantee that your husband will appreciate your handmade card much more than any $3-4 card!

Another idea is to make a giant card out of poster board or even a big cardboard box. Or make a booklet, telling about your courtship ( places you've been and things you've done together). With computers these days, the possibilities are unlimited!

<3 TREASURED VALENTINES FOR DADDY AND GRANDPARENTS

Color copy recent pictures of your children or print digital pictures. Below are some photo ideas. Make a personalized Valentine for Daddy and the grandparents from each child. Have older children help with their own Valentines.

Ideas for Baby Pictures and Pictures of Older Children to Use on the Card:

Baby's hand in Daddy's hand

Baby dressed only in Diaper and Daddy's Necktie

Baby Sitting in the Buff with his back to you - call his name and snap the camera!

Close-up of Child's Face with Daddy's

Group Picture of all your children with a big poster board valentine saying, "We Love Daddy!" (Some of you with 8 or 9 children are laughing at the thought of doing this alone! Maybe a friend can help.)

Picture of you with the children. (Maybe a friend can snap the camera for you.)

Parents and Grandparents: Be sure to remember your children and grandchildren as well!

<3 VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR HUSBAND

(Rather than an expensive gift, be creative and give of your time and talents, asking yourself what he would especially enjoy.)

A good back massage with lotion or oil

A foot massage

Make him a banana split, hot fudge sundae, or a healthy dessert

Coupons for any of the above for another time, as well

Coupon to join him in an activity he loves (hiking, biking, sailing, fishing, etc.)

A special candlelight dinner - or breakfast or lunch.

Make your husband's favorite meal and eat by candlelight, with romantic background music.

Or do all of the above - some in the form of coupons for later! He will feel like a king!

<3 "I DID IT BECAUSE I LOVE YOU"

When our children were small, we made hearts (about 3") out of construction paper, and wrote, "I did it because I love you!" on each one. Every family member had several and we each signed them on the back. In order to preserve them, we covered them with clear contact paper. I still have some of them! Next we found little things to do for other family members, and left our heart for the other person to know that we did something for them just because we love them. It was fun and helped bring harmony to the household. Some things we did for each other were the following: make a bed, wash dishes, get the mail or newspaper, sweep the porch, empty the trash, set or clear the table, pack a lunch, make a special meal, dust, vacuum, etc. It helps to let others know that we don't just do these things because they are expected, but we do them because we love the other person. Try it!

<3 CANDLE AND ROSES CENTERPIECE

Create a beautiful centerpiece for Valentine's Day, using some things you may already have at home. Place a candle jar of any size inside a larger clear glass bowl or vase. Tuck red or pink silk roses or rose buds all around between the candle jar and the vase, making sure the roses are not close to the top of the candle, so as not to be a fire hazard. Having the candle taller is best. Some of you might like to use wrapped peppermint candies or red cinnamon candies or hearts, but remember that roses have no sugar!

<3 PRAY TOGETHER AS WELL AS PRIVATELY FOR EACH OTHER

I can't emphasize enough that husbands and wives pray together for their family and others. Stormie Omartian's books, The Power of the Praying Wife and The Power of a Praying Husband are wonderful helpful guides! Along this same line, she has also written The Power of the Praying Parent. These books and others of hers are so helpful and powerful!

<3 WORK TO IMPROVE YOUR MARRIAGE - ATTEND A CONFERENCE TOGETHER www.familylifetoday.com - Family Life - Dennis and Barbara Rainey www.iwanttomakemymarriagework.com - Chuck and Eileen Rife

www.marriagealive.com - Dave and Claudia Arp

www.ume1975.org - Christian resources on marriage

<3 READ BOOKS TOGETHER AND RESEARCH WAYS TO BUILD YOUR MARRIAGE

The BIBLE and the many Christian books available on marriage (that draw from the Bible).

www.family.org - Focus on the Family - multiple resources for marriage and family

<3 UNSELFISHNESS IS THE KEY

If you want your marriage to be happy and one that honors the Lord, put the needs and desires of your partner before your own. Philippines 2:3-5 says, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus." When you stop and think about it, almost every problem in marriage stems from SELFISHNESS. Make a conscious effort to be unselfish and show consideration to you husband. It really does work, and your home will be happier! Ask the Lord for His help.

Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile. Elizabeth Browning