Never part with your sweet-hearts…

I know people, who claim that St. Valentine’s Day has nothing to do with romance and love due to its pagan origin. I am not much of a historian, but frankly speaking, I am not even interested that much in direct meaning of this holiday. Perhaps, some one will criticize me, but I’m glad to have this holiday and to celebrate it with a person I like and care for.

Isn’t it wonderful to awake your sweet-heart by a romantic message (if you are not with her at the moment) or present her with a bunch of flowers, or cook breakfast for her, or spend a couple of hours looking for a gift or… I may continue this list for hours.

Do we really need to analyse the roots of the holiday, searching for more and more details??? What for? Can’t we simply enjoy this excellent opportunity to say “Darling! I’m so happy to be with you! I love you so much!” and to here the same words? Isn’t it worth living for? Can’t this be the sense of our life, but not money, endless attempts to earn more and more?

I wish this holiday could be celebrated more that once a year. Unfortunately in this every day struggle we tend to forget about more important things, which really make our life filled with deep sense. Job can bring us money, money can bring us power, fame and other privileges, but it can not make us happy and loved. And without love we cannot be happy! As pathetic it may sound, but I really think so and live according to this principle.

To cut the long story short, I want to wish all of us love, care, tenderness and understanding. Those who have it all, do not make a mistake and never lose hold of it and those who are still single, never give up – love is waiting for you and is looking for an appropriate moment to enter your life and stay there forever!

Let St. Valentine protect you and your love…

This old nice St. Valentine’s Day…

Do you know any traditions connected with St. Valentine’s Day? This holiday is known for many centuries. In some countries it is one of the most favourite ones, in others it is considered to be pagan and is not celebrated. We, however, do not consider this holiday to be out of place and are simply glad to have one more opportunity to say “I love you”.

If this holiday has long history, it means that it was celebrated in different times and in different places differently.

May be you know, that in Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"

It is interesting to know that in the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. Since that time “to wear your heart on your sleeve” means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.

In some countries exists a tradition to present your girl-friend with a piece of clothes. If the girl took the present, it means she is ready to marry you.

Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire. So be attentive and try to notice everything during this day. Perhaps, your destiny has a present for you :-) .

Traditionally, if a young female is curious enough...and brave enough...she can conjure-up the appearance of her future spouse by visiting a graveyard at midnight on the Eve of Saint Valentine's Day and singing a prescribed chant while running around the church twelve times.

In Britain and Italy, some unmarried women would rise before sunrise on Valentine's Day and stand by the window watching for a man to pass. It was believed that the first man seen...or someone who looked very much like him...would be their husband within a year.

In Denmark, it is customary to send pressed white flowers called snowdrops to friends.

For a lady to sleep with a sprig of rosemary pinned inside the pillow on the Eve of Valentine's Day was once thought to encourage dreams of a future sweetheart's face.

These and many others customs and traditions bring us closer to this nice holiday of everybody, who is in love or is eager to fall in love and find his/her better half. In doesn’t mean much, whether you believe in these superstitions or not, whether you will try to find out the name of your sweet-heart (if you still haven’t one) or not. Just try to add to your life more romance, tenderness and care. Another tradition of this holiday says that to be awoken by a kiss on Valentine's Day is considered lucky, thus, do not hesitate and don’t forget to tell your sweet heart about this nice custom. I wish, it were so every day…

Choose presents for him and for her on St. Valentine’s Day

Looking for a present is always a difficult task, especially if you want to do something pleasant for your sweet-heart. The choice of a present needs much consideration and thinking. Even if you know a person quite well, the choice is not less difficult, because you wish to touch his/her heart with your present.

If choosing a gift for him, you may either make it on your own, or buy it, taking into account his interests and hobbies. Sure thing, the present, made on your own, will be unforgettable. So if you can do something of the kind, even don’t think whether you should do it – you should! Moreover, you still have some time! In case you are creative and have the skill you can knit a sweater or muffler, paint a portrait, prepare a memorable photo-album with pictures of you two or trace his life from birth through pictures. This gift will be forever in his memory!
If you’ve made up your mind to buy a present, think of what your boyfriend or husband wants. Perhaps, he has told you about something, perhaps, it is the time you could make his dreams come true… You may go in for general Valentines Day Gifts for men like wallets, wrist watches, shirts, perfumes, chocolate hampers, sweets etc. If nothing good comes to your mind, you may simply organize a romantic date, cook supper, use candles and… your romantic date will slowly move into romantic night. By the way, if men say, that they don/t like romance, they are not quite frank. Just nobody made them feel how great it is! Deep in their hearts they are real romantics…

The case is more difficult with women… Women like nobody else will try to guess what they may get from you for this occasion. Thus, it usually takes much effort in order your choice not to result in abject failure. While choosing a present for her, keep all you know about your sweet-heart in mind! Her favorite color, her favorite accessories etc. Besides, a woman is likely to make a hint of what kind of present she wants to get. Be careful and keep your eyes peeled – she will tell you about her desires. In case you are still not able to decide there are some general Valentine's Day Gifts like jewelry and jewelry box, hand bags, fresh flowers, teddy bears, chocolates and cards. Do not turn buying present into a real torture, do it with pleasure, think how she will be glad to get what you have got for her… Even if you don’t have millions to buy her a star, she will be pleased with a teddy bear. The only condition – you should do it sincerely, with all your love…

Generally speaking, I’d like to say, that it is not so important what present you will buy. More important is that you should be eager to do something pleasant for the person you love, to make a nice surprise, to organize a date of your dream even if you have been living together for 25 years. Your care, tenderness and love will surely do their business…