Five Best Valentine Gifts

by Dr. Dave Peterson, LPC
http://drdavepeterson.com/
Used by permission

#1. Pray Together about Anything, Any Time, at Any Place

Praying together brings you closer together to God and one another. Pray together about anything, anytime, at any place.

 

An assignment at a marriage seminar was to ask your spouse to share a time when you felt especially close recently. Dutifully I asked Carolyn. She said, “Remember the time we were driving down the road discussing a concern about one of our children. You said you did not know what to do and led us in prayer for wisdom. I really felt especially close to you at that time.” I remembered that occasion. I assure you I did not close my eyes while driving.

We do a lot together that promotes closeness. I took note that this was special, and we now pray together about anything, anytime, at any place.

People who involve God through prayer together in their everyday lives report increasingly closer relationships.

Picture source: www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/12517504814

#2. – Express Affection at the Door Upon Arrivals and Departures

Expressing affection at the door upon arrivals and departures takes very little time and some energy that brings big dividends to your relationship.  This demonstration of affection and love only takes moments. The pleasant memory while you are apart can last for hours mixed with the anticipation of the return.

There is not a lot of commitment in this world. Commitment in marriage is a major motivator to keep it strong. It’s good for the children to observe as well, for they feel secure.

A few moments of affection at the door can make a whole day go better.

Photo Source:/www.flickr.com/photos/hamedmasoumi/2263962161/

#3. – Say “I Love You” at the End of Each Phone Call or Text

Marriages can use more expressions of love. It wouldn’t hurt for the world to hear it as well. End each phone call or text with “I love you,” no matter who might be listening.

End even a disagreeable conversation, with “I love you.” That means, ”I am still committed to you even though I don’t like you much right now.” “I love you” returns a blessing for an insult.

Love works through the tough times until you like them again.

“I love you” creates a positive atmosphere of purity, respect, gentleness, harmony, and kindness.

Life is good with love.

Source: I Peter 3:1-10

Picture source: www.flickr.com/photos/sevgik/2233606413

#4. “Whatever You Want to Do Together” Spouse Day

This gift is a day together participating with your spouse in whatever they would like to do. The day may have scheduled events, be spontaneous, or have elements of both, whatever they prefer.  We call this day “A Carolyn’s Day.”

 

This can be dangerous. For example, “A Carolyn’s Day” usually includes visiting antique stores. I don’t like, nor usually visit antique stores for they look like piles of stuff I don’t want. Furthermore, they don’t have any written descriptions. I like museums because the objects are described, like “This spoon was used by John Uptight, circa. 1930.” Wow, a spoon used by John Uptight. I may have no idea who John Uptight is, but this is his spoon, not any old spoon in a pile. However, this is Carolyn’s ““Whatever You Want to Do Together Spouse Day,” so away we go.

Really, it is delightful to learn new things about Carolyn’s interests, even antiques, which bring back memories she likes to share.

I think you also will find that this day is anticipated and builds pleasant memories.

Picture source: www.flickr.com/photos/61423903@N06/8084060025

 #5. One-a-Day Love Respect

Write a list of your reasons you love and respect your spouse. You don’t need to write it on the wall, just begin sharing one item a day from the list like a vitamin pill for the relationship. Instead of showing the whole list, why use it all at once, express appreciation, love, respect, thanks, and how you value them once a day. Do not ask for reciprocity, just give thanks.

 

The one-a-day thanks/love/ respect list is usually the first assignment of the initial counseling session. Many begin to turn around their anxiety, depression and marriages in one week.

Make the list and start sharing, see what it does for your relationship.

Picture source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstar/409405305/

Game: Name Their Wives

Author of original is unknown.
This has been slightly altered.
This would be a great game for a bridal shower, Valentine's party, an anniversary celebration, or just for fun for your family and friends!  Try it before looking at the answers at the very end.

1.  ___ Oysterman's wife?                        a.  Grace
2.  ___ Lawyer's wife?                               b. Amy
3.  ___ Bookkeeper's wife?                       c. Jinnie
4.  ___ Dentist's wife?                               d. Betty
5.  ___ Capitalist's wife?                           e. Sophia
6.  ___ Gambler's wife?                             f. Flora
7.  ___ Shoemaker's wife?                         g. Belle
8.  ___ Doctor's wife?                                 h. Carrie
9.  ___ Fisherman's wife?                          i. Octavia
10. ___ Miner's wife?                                  j. Nettie
11. ___ Marksman's wife?                          k. Pearl
12. ___ Cotton Farmer's wife?                   l. Sue
13. ___ Civil Engineer's wife?                    m. Jewell
14. ___ Gardner's wife?                              n. Bridget
15. ___ Meteorologist's wife?                    o. Hattie
16. ___ Sexton's wife?                                 p. Flossie
17. ___ Porter's wife?                                  q. Iris

18. ___ Dancing Master's wife?                 r. Ione
19. ___ Pianist's wife?                                  s. Sandy
20. ___ Milliner's wife?                               t. Adaline     

21. ___ Ophthalmologist wife                    u. Patience
22. ___ Upholsterer's wife?                        v. Gail
23. ___ Oceanographer's wife?                  w. Peggy

Answers to Game: Name Their Wives

1-k; 2-l; 3-t; 4-p; 5-r; 6-d; 7-w; 8-u; 9-j; 10-m; 11-b; 12-c;
13-n; 14-f; 15-v; 16-g; 17-h; 18-a; 19-i; 20-o; 21-q; 22-e; 23-s

Happy Valentine's Day!

For fun activities for Valentine's Day, check out the nine entries on the blog for ideas - http://heartfilledhome.blogspot.com/search/label/Valentine%27s%20Day

For your Valentine's Day celebration, how about working to improve your marriage?  Check out the articles on "Marriage" on this blog, to help revitalize your relationship with your husband.  If you're single, pray that the Lord would lead you to a godly man who would strive toward a marriage with these attributes.

Tips and Tidbits

Cherished Valentines <3 ~ This year why not start a little early and make handmade cards for your husband, children, parents, or special friends.  Simply list what you see as being special about that person and why you love him or her.  The power of these written words about themselves will be very meaningful and saved, you can be sure of that!   Use the times you have to sit and wait to write your lists! 

Be Kind and Considerate in Your Home as well as with friends and strangers.  There is no room to be sarcastic which is usually hurtful to someone.  Being kind and considerate sounds easy, but sometimes we get into the bad habit of not being so nice to those we love the most.  Be intentional in using words like "please, thank you, I appreciate that, that was so thoughtful of you, and what can I do for you today?"  Speak in a kind voice - and smile! 

How to Grow Basil in Your Kitchen All Winter Long ~ My son, James, showed me the tall basil plant and several smaller ones growing on their windowsill when we visited recently.  The tall plant was brought inside from their garden last summer.  James said he's been cutting off sprigs from the plant and rooting them in water, then planting them in soil in smaller pots.  There's nothing like fresh herbs to add to your meals! 

Effective Grease Removers ~ I've read and even shared many remedies for removing grease from clothing, but I've recently found several that work the best for me.  Citrasolv is a natural cleaner and degreaser concentrate with valencia orange essential oil.  It comes as a concentrate in an 8 oz. bottle as well as a spray in a 22 oz. bottle.  I bought these both at a health food store.  Grandma's Secret Spot Remover is effective, but it would be wise to test it first on an inconspicuous place to be sure it won't remove color.  It comes in a 2 oz. bottle and is about $4 at A.C. Moore.

Free Wallpaper Samples for Pretty Wrapping Paper ~ January is the time of the year when wallpaper sample books are discontinued and moved out of stores to make room for the new ones.  It doesn't hurt to ask.  Some wallpaper samples make wonderful, elegant wrapping paper for smaller gifts.  Tie it with a ribbon and you've got a beautiful gift wrap!

Raise the Humidity in Your Home to Make it Feel Warmer during the Colder Months ~ If you find there is static in your home from cold temperatures and dry air, keep a pot of water simmering on the stove (low heat), but make sure it doesn't go dry.  Humidity in the air will make your home feel much more comfortable in the winter. 

 

Be Prepared for Mosquito Bites with this Tip ~ I know it's early, but it's 72 degrees in Virginia as I write this!  Be prepared!  This is a good tip to know!  Rub the inside of a banana peel on a mosquito bite to ease the itch and prevent redness and infection.  Read more at this site: http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/fast-and-effective-mosquito-bite-remedy-thats-proba bly-already-in-your-kitchen/

Candy Gram for Anniversary - Can Adapt for Valentine's Day, etc.

Author unknown - Contributed by Barb Campbell in MS after Kristie Klein in IL asked me for this candy gram.

The candy gram written below is for a fiftieth anniversary, but it could be changed to fit any anniversary.  It could even be worded differently to be given as a unique and fun wedding greeting by writing it in future tense.  As a Valentine's Day candy gram for your husband or sweetheart, a message could be written to fit that occasion too! 

Happy Anniversary, you SWEETARTS!  Fifty years gone by, and you are still each other's RIESEN for living. You've been each others ALMOND JOY as you travel the ROCKY ROADs and MILKY WAYs together.  The GOOD & PLENTY CAREFREE days outweigh the NUTRAGEOUS times and you have  shared plenty of SNICKERS. You'll always be each others BIT O HONEY, and SUGAR BABIES. You are each other's SPECIAL TREASURE in life.  Here's to another 50 years of SYMPHONYs and STARBURSTs. And that you continue to ROLO-ver next to each other each morning with CAREFREE smiles. 

HUGS & KISSES,

Your signature

12 Creative Ideas for Valentine's Day or Anytime

(Some Romantic and Some for the Entire Family)

by Lois Breneman, © 2004, Revised 2006, Heart to Heart Newsletter, jhbreneman@juno.com

(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

God's Valentine to YOU!

     For God so loV ed the world,
            That He gA ve
                   His onL y
                  BegottE n
                          SoN
                               T hat whosoever
           Believeth I n Him
               Should N ot perish,          
           But have E verlasting life."
                                         John 3:16

A Subscriber's Comment About Love Notes

Thanks for the information about leaving love/appreciation notes for the spouse.  Being that I got this after our Valentine newly-wed party in our church, I plan to use it and share it with the ladies in our church to do during Father’s Day.  We call it  “Day of the Man,” because many of our couples don’t have children and/or spouses but attend our church and they feel left out so we try to make them all feel important for what they have contributed to the lives of those who they serve. 

The month of June we celebrate the whole month for all men, by doing special workshops during the mens' service dealing with manhood/fatherhood.  This is geared for those who are fathers/husbands/grandfathers. Then we complete it with a meal, a skit and a gift for the men.  They look forward to the month of June, and now I will implement the love and appreciation notes. Thank you. ~ Jennie Ramos in Michigan

 

Tips

Valentine's Day Recipes, Crafts, and Activities ~ http://www.creativehomemaking.com/holidays/valentines_day.shtml

Charming Valentine Greeting Cards to Make ~ http://www.familycorner.com/homegarden/crafts/valentine_cards.shtml

Valentine's Crafts ~ Here are a bunch of cute things to make for your family, and for the kids to make for their friends for Valentine's Day   http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/valentines_gifts_ms/  Thanks to Debbie Klinect in Florida for sharing this link!

Need Some Snow? ~ If you haven't had any snow yet this winter, here are two ways to create some of your own! 

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/cards/crochet-a-snowflake-gift-topper/

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/28838/how-to-make-a-snowstorm

How to Make a Custom Clock ~ http://www.craftstylish.com/item/13602/how-to-make-a-custom-clock

Transform Holiday Tins to Use Year Round ~ http://www.craftstylish.com/item/33320/how-to-transform-a-holiday-tin

Keys for Kids ~ Go to http://www.cbhministries.org/kfk/home.php to read or hear a devotional for kids. These wonderful devotionals with two months of short devotional stories can be sent by e-mail.  You can also call 888- 224-2324 to have a year's subscription sent to your home at no cost.  We used these devotional stories with our own children years ago.  They apply God's Word to everyday life.  To order 1 copy of the bi-monthly Keys for Kids free of charge for the coming year, go to:

http://cbhministries.org/kfk/order_keys_new.php.   Please limit one (1) order per person, address, and email address.

Inspiring Video ~ If you're ever having a bad day, this will make you thankful for what you've got. This is so worth watching! God uses the weak to confound the wise!!  http://videos.komando.com:80/2009/01/17/the-four-fingered-pianist/  - Thanks to Linda Crosby in Virginia for sharing this!

Reminder of Auto Inspections ~ On your calendar write a reminder at the beginning of the appropriate months that Inspection stickers and tags are due.  

Read the Morning Headlines Anywhere in the World ~ http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/
Put your mouse on a city anywhere in the world and the first page of the newspaper headlines will pop up.   

Year Round Admiration for Your Husband / Hidden Love Notes

 Thanks to Helen Rutrough in Virginia for her comment about the idea mentioned below! 

I've been meaning to tell you since last Valentine's Day that I followed one of your suggestions of making hearts and writing on them things about Gary that I admire and things that have meant a lot to us in our marriage.  I made 30 of them last year and laminated them so they would last and hung them around different places for him to find.  After a couple days he had found them all but he told me not to take them down that he wanted them left in place!  Well they're been in place for almost a year now!  Still hanging from his truck mirror, on his coffee mug, wrapped around a pair of socks, hanging in the laundry room, on our bedroom mirror, etc.  It was a big hit with him and there's no plans to remove them any time soon!  Thanks for all your creativity and for sharing it with us ladies!

HIDDEN LOVE NOTES FOR ANYTIME   to 

by Lois Breneman, © Revised 2009, Heart to Heart 

For Valentine's Day eight years ago when my husband and I were married for thirty-two years, I traced and cut out 32 red hearts, and wrote on each one a reason why I loved my husband, things I appreciated about him or wrote "remember when" memories of our dating years and 32 years as husband and wife.  After punching a hole in each heart and inserting ribbons, I tied the notes everywhere so he would find them throughout the evening and into the next day -- on his socks, toothbrush, toothpaste tube, to the stem of an apple in his lunch, to the doorknob, to his silverware, under his plate, around his glass at dinner, inside his napkin, to his coffee mug, to his pillow, in his jacket pocket, etc.   Later that evening I tied some to the steering wheel, his car keys, and tucked one in his lunch to find the next day. He was still finding red hearts the next day!  I did this again this Valentine's Day - with 40 hearts.

Examples for notes:
 
I first knew that I loved you when...

I remember our first date...

I remember just before you asked me to marry you - how I felt your heart beating so fast while holding hands that I took your pulse and it was 110 beats per minute!  Then, after you asked me to marry you, you took mine and it was 112!  Pitter patter!

If you don't want to go to the bother of hiding the hearts (though it's lots of fun!), you could tie each one to a stem in a silk bouquet of flowers.  Then you could display the flowers in your home as a sweet reminder of the love you share.

Two other variations of this idea: 

(1) Color copy an entire page of pictures of you and your husband from during your dating years and afterwards.  Crop the pictures and make a small scrapbook for your sweetie or simply glue them to card stock with cute captions. 

(2) Use color copied pictures to make a little romantic booklet with fun captions for him. 

Whatever you do, I'm sure he will love it!   Our husbands need our acceptance, admiration and adoration, no matter what day it is or how many years we've been married.

This quote is good, even after Valentine's Day.  Make every day a special day!

"Despite its commercial underpinnings, I think Valentine's Day is a great idea. ... It's never too late to put a little excitement into your relationship. Marriages must be nurtured, or they can whither like a plant without water."
— Dr. James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family 

Fun Games for Valentine's Day Parties or Other Occasions

by Lois Breneman, © 2008, Heart to Heart Newsletter

These games are suitable for Valentine's Day parties.  The King of Siam and the Airplane Ride are also great games for birthday parties for teens or adults.  They are all lots of fun!

Nobody Knows Noses Like I Do
(Suggested for Married Couples)

Choose about 5-6 couples for this game.  Husbands sit behind a very large piece of cardboard (or several taped together) with numbered holes for only their noses to fit through.  Their blindfolded wives come in the room, one at a time, and must feel the noses to determine which one is her husband's nose.  The husbands must keep very quiet!  The winners are the wives who chose their husband's nose!  There may be more than one winner.

Patches
(Suggested for Engaged or Married Couples)

Have fabric patches about 4-5 inches square, all the same size, as well as needles and spools of thread -- one set per couple.  The husbands should bend over a table (a ping pong table works great), while the wives sew the patch on the backside of her husband's pants.  Whoever finishes first is the winner.  Caution: You may hear a few ouches!

Airplane Ride
(Suggested for almost all ages - except the elderly)

For Valentine's Day, call this "Flying to See My Sweetie!"  It's best to do this in a carpeted room or outside in the grass -- for a softer landing.  For this makeshift airplane you need a strong board about 4-5 feet long and about a foot wide, with two strong men on each end to lift the board with a person standing on it.  A board for used for stair casing is strong enough for adults.  Another strong person is needed as an assistant to help the passenger board the plane and endure the flight!  The passenger comes into the room blindfolded.  He/she is told to step up onto the airplane, which is close to the floor, held up by a brick or some books on each end.  The assistant tells the passenger to prepare for take off!  The two men at the ends of the board lift the board only an inch or two upward as they shake it back and forth (not too much).  The assistant tells the passenger there is turbulence and to hang on.  After 30-60 seconds, someone in the room makes a booming noise and the assistant tells the passenger that the turbulence is getting much worse because of an explosion on board (two men on ends of board shake it a little more).  Tell her she must jump - now!  She will probably feel like she's way up in the air and will be afraid to jump, but tell her she must - now!  When she takes off her blindfold, she will be amazed that she was only a few inches off the ground!  No prizes - just lots of fun for everyone!

Wink'em 
(Suggested for Youth or Singles)

The gals sit on chairs in a circle, with a young man behind each one, except the guy starting the game has no girl sitting in his chair.  All eyes of the girls need to be on that young man without a girl.  He is to wink at any girl in the circle, and she is to quickly escape and run to his chair, but if the guy behind her put his hands on her shoulders before she starts to get up, she had to stay.  The young man continues to get a girl to his chair.  If the girl does escape, that chair is removed from the circle and the guy goes too.  The winners are the one guy and gal left, thought that last one can be a hard one.  It the winking guy is unable to get the last girl over to his seat, the guy keeping the girl from leaving and that girl are the winners.

The King of Siam 
(for all ages)

A young man sits on a chair, posing as the king of Siam, with a big ring on his finger.  A blindfolded person enters the room and is told to bow down to the King of Siam and kiss his ring, saying this quote (in his own language) very distinctly, emphasizing the underlined parts -- "O Wa Ta Goo Siam!"  Let the blindfolded person know the quote must be said just right!  The point of the game is to have that person keep saying it over and over - until he or she realizes just what they have been saying -- "Oh, what a goose I am!"  When that person is able to remove the blindfold, the one posing as the king should have his shoes and socks off and a ring on one of his toes, making that person think she kissed his toe, when in reality she kissed a ring on his finger. (It would be best to have two large rings).  There is no winner, just lots of laughs! 

Tips and Tidbits for Valentine's Day & Handmade Valentines

by Lois Breneman, © 2008, Heart to Heart Newsletter


A Romantic Idea ~ Write out reasons why you love your husband or "I remember when..." (remembrances of your special times together).  Make red hearts from card stock or construction paper (about 2x3") and punch a hole in it along the edge.  Buy a bouquet of roses (real or silk) or other flowers and arrange in a vase.  Tie your love note valentines to each flower stem with ribbon.  Another way that you could use this same idea is to tie the notes everywhere so he will find them throughout the day - on his socks, toothbrush, toothpaste tube, to the stem of an apple in his lunch, to the doorknob, to the steering wheel, to his car keys, to his silverware, around his glass at dinner, to his coffee mug, 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....

You could also color copy an entire page of old pictures of you and your husband for about $1 at Staples from during your dating years and afterward, crop them and glue them to the card stock with captions.  Or you could use these pictures to make a little romantic booklet with captions for him.  He will love it!  

An Everyday Love Reminder ~ For a holiday such as Valentine's Day or Mother's Day, here's a great idea.  Fresh flowers are nice, but you can spend so much money on overpriced flowers that die within a few days. If you feel this way, you might want to give a rose bush or suggest a rosebush or two for yourself for Valentine's and Mother's Day.  Do a search for knockout roses, a real winner - easy to grow and disease resistant.  A single rose from the florist with a rose bush would be nice.

A Colorful Fish in a Bowl ~ A wonderful and creative valentine's gift especially for an older person or a child is a "Male Betta" - a colorful fish which can be kept in a large clear glass vase.  Put some glass marbles on the bottom, fill with spring water (not tap water) and watch the action of this beautiful fish!  They can be found in various colors all splashed together, such as pink, burgundy and purple or gorgeous shades of blue.  The water has to be refreshed just once a week, but it is an easy pet and one that brings a lot of fun.  Just feed him each day.  Some good names for a fish might be "Jonah," or "Sushi."  You will want to put only ONE fish in a bowl, because they will fight each other to death if put together!  We had a couple at separate times when our children were small and we all really enjoyed the action and the pretty colors. 

Conversation ~ A husband, proving to his wife that women talk more than men, showed her a study which indicated that men use on the average only 15,000 words a day, where as women use 30,000 words a day.  She thought about this for awhile and then told her husband that women use twice as many words as men because they have to repeat everything they say.  To which he replied, "What?"

21 DAY ROMANCE CHALLENGE
This would be a wonderful time of year to accept the 21 DAY ROMANCE CHALLENGE as well.  If you dare. J Again, visit http://www.guardyourmarriage.com/ and click onto 21 Day Romance Challenge. Each day's entry is posted. ~ Thanks to Eileen Rife in Virginia for this challenge.

HANDMADE VALENTINES
by Lois Breneman - 2007 - revised 2010

This website shows how to make some pretty handmade valentines.  You might want to add a scripture verse or a poem, such as one of the ones below.   http://www.familycorner.com/homegarden/crafts/valentine_cards.shtml

You can buy blank cards and envelopes at a craft store like AC Moore or Michael's - many times offered at half price.

Pretty wide ribbon makes a simple piece of card stock look very elegant!

You could cut out 3 adjoining hearts, with the two on the left and right folding over onto the center heart.  Write the scripture verse on the center heart.

Make special valentines by using construction paper or red card stock, rubber stamps, ribbons, doilies, lace, glitter, seed pearl beads, and glue. Even pictures from calendars and magazines can be used for very creative valentines.

If time is limited, glue a doily to red construction paper or card stock and rubber stamp a valentine in the center.  Then type a scripture verse in duplicate form on the computer, cut out and glue on the cards.  Use the concordance of your Bible to look up verses on "love."

Jeremiah 31:3 is a good scripture: "I have loved you with an everlasting love."

Here are two poems you could copy, paste and print in multiples for the cards:

PERFECT LOVE
Slow to suspect - quick to trust.
Slow to condemn - quick to justify.
Slow to offend - quick to defend.
Slow to expose - quick to shield.
Slow to reprimand - quick to forbear.
Slow to belittle - quick to appreciate.
Slow to demand - quick to give.
Slow to provoke - quick to conciliate.
Slow to hinder - quick to help.
Slow to resent - quick to forgive.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT -- 
LOVE
JOY is love exulting.
PEACE is love in repose.
LONGSUFFERING is love on trial.
GENTLENESS is love in society.
GOODNESS is love in action.
FAITH is love in endurance.
MEEKNESS is love at school.
TEMPERANCE is love in discipline.

An Idea You Might Want to Try ~ A subscriber, Brenda Simpson, asked me about ideas for making handmade cards.  In fact, that's how this article came into being.  After I sent her the ideas, she made valentines for her Sunday school class using card stock with a pretty ribbon.  She copied the poems on them, wrote Jeremiah 31:3 and added a Hershey's Kiss!