Thursday 13: 13 Valentine's Day Surprises that may not be the most appreciated

Thirteen Valentine's Day Gifts We Do Not Recommend Is it too early to start thinking about Valentine's Day? Not for us - Valentine's Day is our favorite holiday around here :-) And it's only 6 weeks away! Instead of starting out with romantic suggestions and intimate ideas that are sure to swoon the lover of your dreams (a dozen roses is a good start ;-) ), I thought we'd have a little fun with some ideas that are guaranteed to NOT turn your day into a fairytale love affair! The latest Jane Fonda workout DVD - even if you include chocolates! Tickets to your favorite sporting event, show, or other extravaganza may not be your special someone's idea of romance. Practical gifts women need are not the best choices for a memorable Valentine's Day. This includes tools, cleaning supplies, and kitchen accessories. While intimate clothing is an excellent choice for your Valentine, socks are not romantic. Men may think their cars are sexy, but women don't usually appreciate car parts, ice scrapers, or even car washes as romantic offerings. A surprise video of you and someone other than your partner is not a good idea for anytime of year, but especially not Valentine's Day. Champagne is romantic, especially in a gift basket, but a bottle of cheap liquor is not a favorite for Valentine's Day. You definitely don't want to pair it with a dirty magazine or movie LOL IOU's do not make romantic gifts, at least on most occasions, especially if you admit to not having the time to get something. On a similar note, a Valentine's Day Card with nothing but a hurriedly scrawled signature - or worst yet, not signed at all - is not romantic. A box of candies that are your partner's least favorite, like the chocolate covered cherries my loving man presented me for no reason the other day in an attempt to be romantic, or even worse, treats that your special someone is allergic to are not usually found to be romantic by the recipient. Inviting your best friend and his or her date to your Valentine's Day celebration, especially if your valentine doesn't like this friend, is not a romantic idea. Your favorite team's logo or anything regarding your favorite cause, imprinted on clothing, is not romantic if the love of your life doesn't share your passion. What's the most unromantic gift you've received? In my house, I'm the romantic...I post most of this stuff in hopes my husband will look over my shoulder as I type and get the hint LOL. 13. My most unromantic gift ever was not a Valentine's Day Gift, but for my birthday. Not only were we out of town for his work for 6 weeks surrounding my birthday, he bought himself a new pair of Birkenstocks a couple days before my birthday. Sandals I had wanted for about 10 years! I think he took me out to dinner - with the kids! Not romantic! He's made up for it though ;-) If romantic ideas are what you're looking for, check out Romance From the Heart for tips, advice, and the latest hot romance ideas from Michael Webb.

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T13 - 13 Fun Holiday Ideas for Singles

Thirteen Fun Holiday Ideas for Singles Whether you're single by choice or single by circumstance, being single during the holidays can become lonely at times, especially if you're a distance from your family. There are a variety of events geared toward singles during the holidays. Being a part of these is a great way to meet new people, even if you're not looking for a relationship, but there are many other opportunities for singles to enjoy the joys of the season. Accept the party invitation you were considering, even if you don't have a date. Mingle and have fun. Don't forget a holiday gift basket for your host! Make hot cocoa and popcorn and invite a few close friends to watch your favorite holiday movies with you one evening. Throw your own holiday party. It may be a little late this year to plan anything elaborate, but you can still host a small gathering. Check out these Christmas games to keep your party interesting. Volunteering is an opportunity to be a part of the holiday cheer. Look for local opportunities that relate to your interests. You may even get a Santa Suit and help out at an area toy drive! Treat yourself. Plan a vacation, a trip to the spa, or take yourself on a mini shopping spree. Decorate for the holidays. A festive home is the best way to enjoy your own holiday cheer. Enjoy one of your personal interests during the season. Join a craft class and create a special gift or frequent your religious organization. Tis the season to give. Make a point to donate to a charity, shop for a needy child, or even help sponsor a charity drive this holiday. If you're a single parent, consider getting creative and making simple gifts for family and friends together. Celebrate a holiday tradition from your childhood. Look at lights through your town, watch fireworks, or listen to carols while drinking cocoa. Visit a friend you haven't seen in a long time or a distanced family member you've been out of touch with. Organize a gift exchange or Secret Santa party at the office and include all your co-workers. If you're single and looking, check out A Better Way to Date by Michael Webb for the best tips for singles available. Most of these ideas are great for singles, couples, and families alike. Being single for the holidays is not as bad as it sounds - enjoy the company of friends and family and spread the holiday cheer. :-)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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13 Holiday Ideas for Singles will be here next week

Hello fellow romantics!

The holidays are an especially important time of year to share love, joy, and memories with those who matter the most in your life, whether that may be your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, or whoever.

I'm taking a day off this week to enjoy the magic of the holidays with my children on the Great Smokey Mountain Railway rendition of the Polar Express. Take some time to share holiday cheer with those you love and visit the Romance from the heart website for tips, tricks, and secrets to relationships, dating, and more.

Check back next Thursday for some fun holiday ideas for singles!




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Danielle :-)

Thursday 13: 12 romantic days of Christmas, plus one

Twelve Romantic Days of Christmas - Plus One

Christmas is a beautiful time of year and a wonderful time to relax with the ones you love, but it is just as stressful and frustrating as it is enjoyable for most of us.

Instead of subjecting your honey to the wrath of your holiday shopping rage this season, make him (or her) feel more loved than ever.

Gifts and tokens of your love don’t have to break the bank, just be creative, have fun, and most of all, make your lover feel appreciated.

Here’s my rendition of the 12 Romantic Days of Christmas, plus one:

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a relaxing massage at the end of my busy day.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me, two glasses of champagne in our engraved wedding glasses. (This is adapted from an idea by Michael Webb, romance expert and author of top-seller 50 Secrets of a Blissful Relationship)

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a passionate kiss in the morning, another in the afternoon, and a third passionate kiss before bed.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a cuddly teddy bear holding a picture of the two of us and a sweet love poem wrapped with a new pony tail holder.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 5 Christmas cookies wrapped in short, but romantic, love notes.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a sensual bubble bath, surrounded by 4 aromatic candles, and a fluffy new loofah…and joined me in the tub.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 2 scrambled eggs, 2 strips of bacon, two pieces of toast, and a glass of orange juice - in bed.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 8 coupons for everything from housework to cuddling!

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a romantic take-out dinner, complete with candlelight, hot cocoa, a fire in the fireplace, a babysitter, a movie, and plenty of wrapping paper, for a much more enjoyable wrapping session :-)

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a CD with 10 of our favorite songs.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 11 red roses and a note to find the twelfth at my favorite restaurant for a quiet dinner.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 12 candy cane Hershey Kisses--these are really yummy if you haven’t tried them yet ;-) That’s why I saved them for day 12!

And the bonus romantic day of Christmas is for those who have the time and the resources to pull off a one night holiday getaway…maybe a New Year’s Eve treat?
Reserve a room, go out to dinner, and enjoy! Don’t forget a basket of romantic goodies to complete your evening.

I know that not everyone has a significant other for the holidays, so next week, 13 fun holiday ideas for singles!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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