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RINDY
This a gift idea for someone who is very hard to buy for. My husband is very budget oriented, and I am the one who fails to follow the budget. For this year's Christmas gift, I surprised him by paying his truck off early. I even got the DMV to send out the title before Christmas. I put it under the tree for him. He and I were saving money to pay off a vehicle in about March. He loved it so much. He got such a kick out of telling every one that I spent 6 figures for Christmas and having them be in shock. Then explaining that I paid off his truck for Christmas. He loves to shock and tease people like that so it was so much fun for him, too.

So for next year I decided that I would put money in saving for Christmas and give him his credit card bills with $00.00 balances on them. He really hates debt and would like us to never use credit cards. So I really think he would love this one.

CHRISTIANA
I finally decided what I'm going to do this year. We try not to spend lots of money on things we don't need, like expensive jewelry or flowers and dinners that don't last, etc. SO, I decided: On Tuesday, I'm gonna ask my hun if I can use the convertible ("our car that usually he drives" I usually drive the truck) all day. Then I will surprise him by detailing it/washing/cleaning it all (it needs to be done) and then that night I want him to take me to dinner and then to my home business meeting. I think it will be a fun, busy but meaningful day that way. :) He already knows we have a weekend couples' getaway planned that next weekend and he will think we're "done with V-day" until I surprise him by waiting for the V-day sales that week (something sexy to wear, something choclatey, etc.) for our weekend away.

LISA
My husband bought a box of the Valentines that children usually give out at school. He wrote little things on them and put them all around the house where I would find them as I got ready in the morning. (He leaves for work at 4am, so he did it before I got up in the morning.) They were in the bathroom, in my jewelry box, in the refrigerator, in my car, basically anywhere I would find them as I went about my morning routine. This was so out of character for him, and it was so cute. I was going around the house looking for them and smiling the whole time. It was a great start to the day. Anybody could do this, and it is definitely not expensive! Great bang for your buck :)

EMILY
I got a "Neena and Veena" bellydancing tape and secretly practiced the moves for several weeks. I bought some sheer fabric from Wal-mart along with some jingly coins and made a costume. It wasn't show material but it got the idea across. :) I did the dance for him and he absolutely LOVED IT! When I was done he wanted to see it again! :)

Another idea: Get some pretty red paper ... decorate with ribbon or lace or whatever you like. Make a "coupon" for one massage session, complete with massage oils, soothing music, and warm towels. He will love the attention!

JENNIFER
This year is our first Valentine's Day being married. I made my husband a 6x8 scrapbook of reasons that I love him. Valentine's Day just happens do be the 150th day that we've been married. So the title on the cover of the book is '150 reasons I love you'. I used cardstock to print some of the reasons I love him. The book has a handwritten note from me and pictures of us. I hope he really likes it!

LAURA
My wedding anniversary is the day before Valentine's Day. So it is always a challenge to come up with unique ideas... One year I made 101 hearts (you can use diecuts, makes it a lot faster) and then I wrote one thing "I respect you because you...." then I tossed them inside my husbands truck. He got a kick out of it. He said for months he thought he had gotten them all up but he would find one under the seat or in the floor. He really liked it.

DEBBIE
Here is something that my husband did for me. It is fun and free! We have a new phone that has a selection of ring tones. My husband set it so when he calls me from his cell it "sings" "Let Me Call You Sweetheart". Most cell phones also have this feature. So sneak your husband's phone away and set it up to sing for you. If you don't know how to do it ask your teen, failing that call the store.

ROBIN
We're really on a tight budget so I had to get very creative. I took a glass container out of the cabinet and decorated it. Then the kids and I filled it with drawings, notes, and coupons for him to open like candy. I added his favorite chocolates and a new pair of sexy underwear all mixed up to make a "Daddy Candy" jar. For added surprise I mailed the package to his office and made sure he would have his surprise on Valentine's Day. I'm really excited about this year's gift!

TONI
The Lord has really spoken to me this year about this one thing. He/She who puts Jesus first in their life, puts their wife/husband second. That means above everything. That is the best Valentine's Gift you can give your spouse. If you put Jesus in your life first (above everything) then, your spouse will automatically come second in everything. And,there will be a much tender,sweeter relationship. :O) Just wanted to share. <><

LYNELLE
I make my husband a coupon book for Valentine's Day. Coupons for a free hug, a 30 minute back rub, favorite meal, etc. It is inexpensive, fun to do and a gift that keeps on giving.

REBECCA
What I've done for this year is I bought a bunch of decorations and I am going to decorate our bedroom while he is at work. I am going to hang paper hearts from the ceiling and I am going to dig out our red Christmas lights too. I also thought about using a big heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out cake and make a heart shaped cake. Hope he likes it!

DENISE
For our Valentine's Day we have our annual "Sweetheart Dinner". Because we have seven children, there were many years we didn't do much on Valentine's Day, but one year I decided to make the best of it and start our tradition of setting the table with my best linen tablecloth, flatware, crystal, china and the centerpiece was the bouquet of roses my dh (dear husband) sends every year. (A restaurant wannbe!) I then place a small heart box of chocolates and a larger one for dh. We usually keep it simple with steaks done on the grill, etc. but, the children are seeing Mom and Dad in love and we all talk on the LORD's great love for us. It's a wonderful time!

KATE
My Valentine's ideas are food related ~ red and white or heart food. As much goes into the arrangement of the food to give it the emphasis of red and white as the very food itself:

* salmon steaks or fillet with rice on the side (put your green veggies on another platter)
* white turkey slices with thinned cranberry sauce (pour it on in the outline of a heart?)
* tomato & mozzarella (cut into hearts? with a food garnishing tool) salad
* tomato pasta sauce on noodles
* apples (and as you present a baked apple, say, "You are the apple of my eye")
* radishes (and as you present them, say, "I find you radishing, my dear ..."
* cherry, strawberry or raspberry cheesecake
* Many others have already mentioned cakes and cookies.

And, of course, lots of food can be cut into hearts: slices of carrots, zuchini, radishes, to name but a few.

And those cookie rollers that press a design into cookies? If you have a heart one, roll it over your bread before putting it into the toaster. I was given one a few years ago that actually says, "I heart symbol you."

And always, while he is home that day, have lots of colourful lipstick on (nope it doesn't have to be Valentine Red!). Your usual colour right from when you brushed your teeth after getting up until you climb into bed. And smack his cheeks and forehead.

AGAIN, this year we will be apart for Valentine's Day. In 14 years of marriage, we've been in the same city TWICE. That's OK, we always make our own Valentine's when we are together. Just a night out usually after the official date, dedicated to the two of us, not a lot of money (especially not the Valentines's Day set menu prices!)

Check out your local restuarants, also - do they do a lunch special for Valentine's? Lunch is much, much cheaper than a dinner and if you are able to meet for lunch you have a date, a meal out, a time out and a greatly reduced bill.

"Food" for thought!

RHONDA
One year, my husband and I shopped online at Victoria's Secret and Frederick's. His goal was to see what kind of lingerie I really liked. We had a lot of fun and he was surprised (pleasantly) at some of my choices. Then for Valentine's Day, we both had ideas about what the other really liked. And it was fun "modeling" our choices to candlelight and music...

"PRETTY PRINCESS"
I actually stole most of this idea from one of the ladies on The Generous Wife message board, but I modified it a bit to fit my needs. Each week we already set aside a date night which we usually spend looking at each other saying "what do you want to do." I am creating a game for us called The Year of Pleasure. It has 60 date ideas that will be in envelopes color coded based on the type of mood we are in (intimate, outdoor activities, full day dates/ etc). The activities range from going to the park and flying a kite or taking a carriage ride to baking cookies in our birthday suits or full body massages. He will be able to choose one card from the category of his choosing each week. It will be like the gift that keeps on giving, because each week he will have a new surprise! I am going to put it in a nice box and type up a direction sheet and everything to go with it like it were a real game. The box will have the cards in it, as well as any "accessories" that will be needed to fulfill the dates.

AMY
we purchased the book 1001 Ways to be Romantic by Gregory Godek. it is a wealth of wonderful romantic ideas. we have enjoyed it over the years, and i have given it as a wedding gift more than once! I especially like #121 Send an old-fashioned telegram! Call Western Union at 800-325-6000, or visit www.WesternUnion.com. I plan to do that this Valentine's Day.

NICHOLE
This year, we're not spending much on each other for V-day because instead, we wanted to actually be able to buy our wedding pictures from our photographer. (Our one year anniversary is in April.) So, since cash is limited, I went to Wal-Mart and bought a box of kid's valentine's cards and plan on leaving them all over the house and in his car on Valentine's Day for him to find throughout the day. I also bought a big one to leave on our bed that night...one that's a little more "adult." It's cheap and sweet and really fun because it takes you back to being a kid and passing out those little Valentine's cards.

KIRSTEN
Another idea is a heart shaped casserole for dinner. You can find heart shaped dishes everywhere right now. That would be something cute to add to the dinner table for Valentine's Day... and cheap :)

LAURA
I think one of the greatest times my husband and I have expressed our love to one another was in our wedding vows. This V Day, I am going to have the vows I made to him printed in a pretty font, and then frame them with one of our wedding photos in a pretty frame. Then, every day he can see that I VOWED to make every day Valentine's Day!!

GWEN
The most romantic thing my husband ever did (while we were dating) was to send Sheri's Berries crosscountry from Sacramento, California to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I did not know you could do this! It still remains one of our best memories ever!

For a personal and relatively inexpensive gift, give him 12 gift certificates, one for every month until the next Valentine's Day. Put something on the gift certificate that is special and out of the ordinary that you know he would like. "This entitles you to one romantic evening....including stockings and garters!" He will flip!

ANDREA
What I usually do is make my husband a chocolate cake (his favorite) in the shape of a heart with a little saying or just a regular shaped cake and write a saying on it with icing.

CINDY
This is my plan for this year: I picked up a huge Valentine's Day card at the store -- it's about 28 x 16 inches. On the inside cover of the card, I plan on taping a new, skimpy outfit, sprinkling the card with lavender, and then mailing it to his work. I have so much fun planning these things. I can't wait for him to receive it!!

MELANIE
It may sound simple; but we make it a priority to go on a date around Valentine's Day. It can be hard to find a babysitter that night, so we settle for any other night that week. What's important, is making time to be alone and thank each other for all that the other brings to our life together. I have the best husband God could have created for me!

AR97
My husband's first language is NOT English. So I have challenged myself to learn his language - just as he has taken the time and effort to learn mine. We have been married for 10+ years now and I'm still working on his language - it's one of the more difficult ones out there. I know that he appreciates when I send him little love e-mails and cards to his work written in his language. I believe that the only way for a husband and wife to really understand and know each other is to fluently understand the other person's first speech language - because it reveals the way we think, why we think that way, our culture and our faith.

MARYANN
I bought a new pair of racy red panties and stuffed them into his briefcase one day. I knew he had a private office so it really would be JUST HIM that saw them when he opened the briefcase. Another idea is to put it in his car somewhere obvious to him but not openly on display. Made him smile....and wait til evening!

AIMEE
This is pretty neat. If you go to www.instasong.com and put in promotion code bc2004 you will get to send your hubby a free personalized song via email ... very cool. They send it immediately after you create it so I suggest you have it emailed to your own email address first. Then on Valentine's Day you can forward to him. Not sure how long the promotion code will last (it costs $4.95 regular price).

JENNIFER
I did this for Christmas! My husband was so surprised since I made 52 cards for him, each with something different. The funniest part is that HE did the same thing for ME, just different cards and a whole lot more!

NANCY
We enjoy getting away and trying out new B & Bs and hotels. This year we are using some of our Christmas money to pay for a night at one we discovered last year. Since we have a new baby, we decided to invite my husband's parents to join us. They booked their own room in the same hotel, offering us the chance to have a romantic Valentine's evening without worrying about our little one. :)

NICOLE
I like to take my kids to the dollar store and let them pick out something for Daddy. Usually its a toy, which is great because he can play with the kids. They get really excited about shopping for him, and he is wonderful about making it his favorite present ever!!!!

One year for Valentine's Day we weren't able to find a babysitter, and we lived in a town that had little to offer in the way of "fine dining." My husband went to the local Chinese buffet and picked up some dinner, and my daughter and I redecorated the living room for dinner. We picked up some carnations at the grocery store and plucked the petals. After lighting a candle in the middle of the coffee table, we surrounded it with carnation petals. Then we turned all the lights down and ate Chinese by candle light. It was a Valentine's Day I'll never forget! We always eat Valentine's dinner at home now, and we always try to think of a new and creative way to redecorate.

SUSANNE
This year Valentine's Day will be a working day. If your husband will be in the office or somewhere else at work, try to write him a short, but sweet and creative love letter (short because he probably won't have time to read 5 pages at work :-) ) and send it to his working address so that it arrives in time for Valentine's Day. If you know that he is in a meeting at a certain point of time, leave a message on his work-place answering machine, a simple "I love you" will make his heart explode and put a smile on his face, no matter how stressful and annoying the meeting was! And if you want something special, prepare a hot bath with nice smelling aroma candles, a bottle of champagne (or beer, whatever he prefers), his favourite music, and wait there for him (in the bath) when he comes from work... Rest is up to you! :-)

RACHAEL
I found an old square box -- the small, plain white ones jewelry comes in -- and using a computer design program (I have Microsoft Publisher) I made a sign for the top that said, "Why I'm Glad I Said Yes" and clip art of a couple getting engaged. Inside the box I put twenty things I love about my husband. Same as the sign, they were little slips of paper I created in Publisher with a comment and a bit of clip art to illustrate it on each one -- for example "I love the way you kiss me" with clip art of two fish kissing or "You always make sure I have coffee in the morning" with a picture of a coffee cup. Some were sweet, some were sexy. I tied the box up with red ribbon and he was so thrilled. If you aren't a computer person, the whole thing could be written and you could draw pictures, cut them out of magazines, or use stickers.

LINDA
I saw some red fuzzy dice and came up with an idea. You would write out nice things to do for each other on a slip of paper and put them in number catagories one through six. One being simple things like a kiss. The higher numbers being more complex (or steamy such as a sexual favor). Each day for six days (need an even number of days to make it fair) leading up to Valentines day, each spouse would roll one dice and then pick a slip of paper from the appropriate catagory, and let the good times roll!

MIA
With three kids as well as a family birthday on Valentine's Day, the romantic side of this holiday was lacking for my husband and I. Last year I decided to treat him to a whole week of romance. We called it the Week O' Love and every day I gave him different gifts around this theme. Here are a few of his more favorite days.

Shower O' Love- the kids and I painted a clear shower curtain with paint markers using handprints and various signs of love. Then we hung it so he would be greeted with it for his morning shower. I also included a bottle of his favorite body wash.

Coupon Book O' Love- These are easy to find on the net.

E-mail O' Love- I e-mailed him once an hour for 14 hours with various poems, messages and sayings. This was the hardest task to pull off but he really loved looking forward to each hour's message.

Jar O' Love- We filled a jar with his favorite candy and with little slips of paper saying how much we loved him. Then I snuck it into his office at work.

My husband was really touched with the effort and time we put into this week. Isn't that what Valentine's Day is all about?

BRIDGETTE
The first year I was married, I sent my hubby a cookie bouquet to his work for Valentine's Day. I ordered a dozen red rose cookies. He loved them! He was so surprised to get something delivered to him--I could tell it made him feel very special! (And the cookies were delicious too!)

JOCELYN
One year the kid's and I made our family room, (where we watch TV) into an on the floor bedroom. We all brought down our bedding and made a huge bed with pillows and blankets, we lit candles together and made home made pizza. We had picked out a fun family movie to watch together and spent the evening in our jammies together. I also had it ready for when my husband came home from work he could just jump into the shower and his jammies were waiting for him. This was fun with the kids and after the kids went to bed there was a fun place to play.

SHEILA
My hubby's favorite Valentine's Day gift that I ever gave him was a jar! I took a 1 pint canning jar and lid, and decorated the outside with red cloth for under the ring, heart stickers, and a label made from heart print paper. I cut 31 hearts out of the heart paper (scrapbook paper, but you could use pink and red and white, etc. for the hearts) and on each one I wrote something I love about him. Each day he pulled one first thing in the morning. He loved this way to "spend time" with me first thing! :o) Some things were a bit racy, some romantic, some funny, and so on. I am planning on doing it again this year, since he has become a father twice since then! (4 times if you "count" my nieces and 5 if you count he has been a full time dad to his dd15 for nearly a year) When a man becomes a father through birth or choice (which makes it sound like he would never choose our boys LOL) it opens up tons of other dimensions to love.

CHERIE
One year on our anniversary we had very little money so I purchased a nice inexpensive bottle of wine, some nice cheese and crackers, a variety of seafood from the deli and some salad bits and a couple of little deserts. I got a neighbour to baby sit and packed picnic gear and the purchases and had a lovely BBQ by the local lake. It was so lovely. we cooked together and didn't bother with plates but just ate off the BBQ and from the salad bowl. It wasn't refined but one of our most treasured moments. (Remember, of course, that our anniversary and valentines day are both in the middle of summer here in Australia.)

GAIL
I am a young grandmother (46) with four children (ages 24 to 27) and ten grandchildren (all 4 years and under). I work part-time along with babysitting grandchildren. My husband and I also have a nephew and his three-year-old son living with us. Since we're so busy, I've decided this year to give us the gift of time together. We're going to celebrate the twelve days of Valentine's (instead of the twelve days of Christmas). We're going to have dates every night from February 1 through Feb 12. (We're babysitting for our children on the nights of Feb 13 and Feb 14.) We're going to take turns planning the dates, and we're going to try to make at least some of the dates things we've never done or haven't done for a long time. (An adaptation of this if you have children at home, would be to plan "dates" each night after the children are in bed -- play a game, eat a special treat, watch a movie, etc.) Hope this gives someone an idea they can use. :)

GINGER
Take a jar of his favorite nuts (peanuts, almonds, etc.). Take a perment marker and write on the lid or label, "I'm nuts about you" and leave it on his desk at work (or have it delivered to his job or hand it to a co-worker for them to hand it to him).

LIZ
Last year on Valentine's Day, I had a lot of fun and my Dh loved it! I went to the Dollar store and picked up a big gift bag. I filled it with a bunch of little cheapy items. To each item, I attached a note. For example, on a Hot Wheels car, the note said, "You rev my engine, baby!" On a roll of Lifesavers candy, the note said, "You're my lifesaver!" On a sheet of frog stickers, the note said "I'd croak without you!" Some of the notes were a little racy, others were silly.... I then wrapped each gift individually. A friend who lives down the street took the bag to work for me--she works in the same building as my husband--and passed them out all over the building. All day long, every time my hubby stepped onto the elevator or rounded a corner, someone was handing him a present. Although some of the gifts made him blush a little, he really loved it and had a blast with it. At the end of the day, our friend who'd helped me, delivered the final gift and the sack to carry all the goodies home in.

SARA
My husband just started learning to play the guitar so in order to encourage his new hobby I will be getting him some stuff that he needs like pics, a guitar strap, a capo, and maybe some music books.

KANA
In his job, my husband has to keep notes as to what he takes in and out, and while he does have to keep this on the "official" form for their business, it's easy for him to write the info on a notepad and then transfer it later rather than carry around a huge clipboard. Because of this, for our anniversary, which is Valentine's Day, I made up notepads with our names and wedding date on it, making note not to have it too girly!

ANDREA
Last year, I baked a heart-shaped cake and decorated it. I used his favorite cake mix. You can personalize a sweet message on it. It is something inexpensive and something the two of you can enjoy for several days! You can find these special shaped cake pans on-line or at a craft store such as Michael's.

KELLY
For Valentine's Day, the kids and I send my husband on a scavenger hunt around the house to find a few gifts. We write his clues on hearts that are decorated by the children - and send him searching for his presents. It is pretty much the same each year, one gift is a batch of his favorite cookies, another is a black and white picture of the kids that I take and then get framed, and usually the kids make something for him to find, also. I wait until we are alone to give him my gift! He looks forward to this every year and it really involves the children in the holiday, too. (We are now searching for our gifts on birthdays, too!)

SOPHIA
Last year I didn't have much money to get my husband anything for Valentine's Day, so I got creative. Here is my tip and what I did for my husband last year:

If you are on a tight budget, as I was last year, get creative! Write your husband a poem about your relationship and how much you love him. If you're not good at writing poetry, write him a love letter. Type it (or have a friend do it for you if you can't type well) and print it on pink paper. Glue the poem/letter into a large sheet of red construction paper, which should be folded in half to make a card. Glue pink paper to the outside of the red card and then take a 3-hole hole punch and punch holes near the crease of the card. Take pretty ribbon (red, pink, or white with hearts) and weave it through the holes. Tie knots at the ends of the ribbon so it cannot come through the holes. Take fun valentine stickers and decorate the outside and inside of your card and be sure to sign the inside of your card. Add your husband's favorite candy bar or candy to be given with the card.

Additional tip: make him his favorite meal and serve it by candlelight, if possible, dressed sexy, of course. Present your card and candy to him at dinner. My husband loved it and appreciated the time and personal thought I put into it, and I'm sure yours will too!

SANDRA
My dh and I like to cook and try new foods. We were recently on vacation and in a bookstore and saw the cookbook, Shakespeare's Kitchen. It looked great but was $35. Now that we're home, I checked half.com and was able to get the book for around $15 including shipping! Yea! I plan to give the book to my dh on Valentine's Day with a special dinner made from the same cookbook. To top it off, I'll have some special quotes from Shakespeare (love ones, of course) that I'll read to him. Oh, and the kids will be gone that night!!

VICKI
Our family has set aside Valentine's Day as our big yearly family celebration instead of the traditional holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas (we hope that when they marry, they won't have to work through which holiday to spend with which parents). We have a big meal, often with several courses. The children make table decorations, place holders and cards. We pull out the china, crystal, tablecloth and candles to have a "romantic" family dinner. We try to invite others who might not have a sweetheart with whom to celebrate the day. After the kids are in bed, my husband and I can enjoy one another as we thank God for the wonderful family he has given us and for these precious years with our kids.

JENN
Just my own "tip" about notes ... My husband used to be a serious Diet Coke addict...as in 2L per day. He would take 4 cans with him to work. I took to writing on the tops of the cans with a Sharpie comments like "wish my lips were here." You need to do this before refrigerating the cans--as the cold cans will "sweat" too fast to write on them.

BRADY
Last Valentine's my husband and I were at a Christian Marriage retreat at a nice resort. It was a wonderful way to grow and celebrate our marriage!

SARAH
Here are the lyrics to a song that is appropriate between a husband and wife. I planned to find these, learn them, and sing them to my husband when we are alone together. I had forgotten that they spoke so much of having been apart. I decided to share them here anyway, because there are surely couples represented on your list for whom this fits perfectly.

AIMEE
Every Valentines day I give my husband a set of 12 coupons. One per month, I print them from the computer on business cards and put expiration dates on them. Each coupon says "This coupon entitles you to _________________"(fill in the blank!!!!...each one is different) I leave a few blank so he can fill them in with whatever he wants :-) He really enjoys this!

"OSCELOT"
You could buy a bunch of Hershey's huggs and kisses, and make a Valentine's advent calendar. I'm sure there are craft sites online that have patterns for making your own.

If you wanted to get really crafty, you could make little paper wrap boxes about 1 1/2 inches big with candies in them (mini M&Ms would work, you can get small tubes for .69$ USD), and a message in the bottom. Make sure that you don't glue it so much that it can't be undone and made flat. It's amazing how sentimental some guys are, and they'll probably want to keep a hold of them for years. This could even work long distance.. make them all at once, then put the dates on the flat sides of the boxes, and stack them all in a box - with a small note of warning not to open them all in one go for those sweet tooths. ;)

NICOLE
My husband collects swords so I let him always mark about 10 swords he really likes and I chose from it. And he also likes to read Louis L'AMOUR books so that is what he gets every year is books and swords for any accasion. I have a wish list of german speaking DVD's and James Avery Jewelry. That way he doesn't have to think and I get what I want. It works for us really good .

"J in VA"
As parents of four, we have seldom been able to get out to celebrate on Feb. 14, and I've only managed one "kidnapping" for an overnight getaway one special birthday. But what I have tried to do are the little things, like buy HIM flowers and a helium balloon for a change, or draw a card and write an original poem rather than purchase a card.

One year I found in a drawer many 3-4" construction paper hearts that I had made for a church party a previous year--layered cut designs made of red, white, and pink paper. I decided to tape them all over our townhouse, some in hidden spots. Then when my husband arrived home from work, I got out the video camera and followed him around the house as he tried to retrieve each one--more than 100! I sometimes teased him about how close or far off he was, or stood near one and said things like, "Couldn't possibly be one anywhere in this corner!" as I filmed his hunt. He acted quite embarrassed, but I think he truly liked the attention and hasn't forgotten it. We had just one toddler then, but I bet older kids would love getting in on the hiding and hunting with their dad.

Another Valentine's Day I found a clear plastic bottle in a Hallmark-type store that was labeled to mail. I rolled up a gushy message, put in some sparkly hearts and a small silk rose, added bright stickers to the outside, then mailed it to his office. I recall there were some jealous co-workers! This memento is still sitting around our house some 6-8 years later.

KRISTEN
How about some high end sheets? 600 thread-count cotton sheets can be secured on EBAY for a reasonable price, and the romance of spending time in a luxurious bed is wonderful.

MELANIE
I like to surprise him with a new negligee or pair of panties. Even just $3 spent can create a sexual memory!

DORIE
I wrote this the other day after having a conversation with a friend (and considering your encouragements to be generous). I found my friend to be very generous in spirit to her husband who likes to take the road less traveled when they go somewhere. Needless to say, a two hr. trip sometimes takes them 4, but she tells me she's learned to enjoy the detours on their trips, in their marriage and in her life. Whether this is just between you and me or if it goes any farther doesn't matter. In this day and age where bashing men is a sport I think it's important to remember these things.

On enjoying your spouse

As each woman would like to believe she is different from every other woman on earth, so each man would like the same.
Each woman believes she brings something unique to a relationship.
So does each man.
What is unique about the man in your life?
One friend has told me that her husband has helped her to enjoy the detours in life (as a matter of fact he creates a great number of them).
Another is grateful to her husband for teaching her the value of a routine.
Another has been grateful for the display of steadfastness.
And yet another for the benefits of frugality early in their marriage.
Does the man in your life display caution or spontaneity?
Do you enjoy the maturity or the childlike joy that your husband exhibits?
Do mechanical ability or carpentry skills in your spouse bring you great pleasure?
When he crosses a room does your heart still flutter despite the signs of aging that grace his frame?
Would a day without him seem like an empty day?
Would his sudden departure from your life leave a whole in your heart that you could drive a truck through?
Today, leth the man in your life know you appreciate him.
Give him a hug, squeeze his hand, lock eyes across the room or across the table and flash
that smile that says, " I'm so glad God's made you part of my life. I hope it lasts for a very long time"
Appreciate him and let him know it.

SHELLY
The other day I was invited to a Lingerie party by my Pastor's Wife! I took the book home and let my husband pick something out that he would like to see me in. The place I recommend is www.petrafashions.com of course you can find things in the regular stores, but once you get what you want (or what he wants)...

KYM
I wrote this for my local MOM'S Club newsletter and thought you might like it for one of your Valentine's Day ideas. Although I did not reference the washing of Jesus' feet in comparison, I personally found washing my husbands feet to be a very spiritually connecting experience, both to my husband, and to Jesus. :)

The "I Adore You" Surprise Foot Soak

Why not surprise your husband after a hard day's work with this very unexpected gift of love and affection? It might seem a little uncomfortable for him (or you) at first, but gently persist and soon he will allow himself the indulgence and relaxation that he so deserves and desires. I find this to be much more intimate and somehow easier to give (and receive) if done quietly with lots of loving smiles.

You'll need:
~One plastic tub/wash bin with deep sides (dishpan sized, you can usually find them at the dollar store)
~One bag of marbles (the gardening style half-marble shape works fine, too) Again, check the dollar store
~One fresh rose (maybe one from a Valentine's Day bouquet?)
~About two tablespoons of oil, preferably a light scented oil such as almond, apricot, jojoba, or even plain baby oil
~(Optional) A few drops of lavender essential oil for aromatherapy/fragrance.
~Towel

Make sure your husband has had time to relax a bit after work; dinner has been served, etc., and then prepare the foot soak about five minutes before you plan to surprise him with it. Place marbles in bottom of tub. Add fairly hot water to about a five or six inch depth. Gently mix in oil and fragrance oil (if using). Place towel on floor in front of chair or sofa, set tub on top, place your rose on the seat, then lead your unsuspecting hubby over. :}

Ignore any protests (and there will be some), shushing him while you remove his shoes and socks (no nose wrinkling, now!) and place his feet in the water. Scoop the marbles with your hands and use them in cupped palms to massage gently all over his feet. After a few minutes, take the rose, remove petals, and scatter them in the water over your husband's feet. Continue the massage, alternating scooped marbles and petals cupped in your palms, until the water cools. Place the towel in your lap to dry his feet. An extra nice touch would be to finish off with a bit of lotion massaged into his feet.

If you're not convinced you can do this, then try it as a gift to yourself first. You won't believe how great it feels, even just to run the bottom of your feet over the marbles yourself. It's a wonderful way to bring a little pampering into your home without a lot of effort or expense!

MARY ANNE
I bought satin sheets, mine were beige but red would be really cool if it fits with the colors in your bedroom or wherever... had a ready made bed with satin sheets under the comforter...unseen....rose petals..mine were red....all over the satin sheets and pillowcases...along with a dark chocolate under his pillow. He was so surprised and it was so great after our slow dance together!!!

More Valentine Ideas


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