Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth. For your love is more delightful than wine. (Song of Solomon 1:2)
Travel is a Girl's Best Friend
The results are in. If your'e a married man hoping to buy your wife a special gift for Valentine's Day, jewelry is number two. Many women say travel is number one on their list of gifts they would like to receive. 67% say they would be willing to pay for it themselves! A trip to a resort spa, a cruise, and even a pre-packaged tour are the most-favored travel options.
According to the stats, most women define fun as freedom from household responsibilities and lots of socializing. It’s not surprising then, that a vacation away from home with you would head their wish list.
Let's Celebrate! Top 5 Tips To Honor Him
V. Valentine’s Breakfast
Make up a batch of heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast or brunch. Serve with real maple syrup, pink whipped cream, and fresh strawberries. Garnish with a sprinkling of powdered sugar and fresh mint.
A. All Handmade
Knit him a scarf, hat, or sweater, or stitch him up a new pair of pants. Use your own creative talents—whatever they are—and be sure to sign your handmade gift with a flourish.
L. Licking
Have a friendly food fight with chocolate pudding (it’s OK). Then clean up the mess by tasting each other’s flavored skin. No biting!
E. Electronics
Create a personal CD of your favorite songs as a couple, and wrap it up for him with a big red bow.
N. Notes
Tease him by sending suggestive but tasteful messages to his private e-mail address. Or post funny sticky notes on his rear view mirror.
Let's Celebrate! Top 5 Tips To Romance Her
T. Time
Give her the most precious gift of all, your time. Make reservations at a fine restaurant; the kind with white linen tablecloths, real china, and good crystal. Be prepared to spend some major bling. And be rewarded later…
I. Italian Romance
You do the cooking! Pick an easy pasta dish prepared with tomato marinara or pesto sauce, toss a green salad, and serve with her favorite red Italian vino. Consider purchasing two slices of tiramisu from your local bakery for dessert. Create a romantic mood by lighting candles and turning on some soft music.
N. Naughty
Fill her bathtub with fresh rose petals or scented bubbles, and enjoy a soapy and sensuous soak for two. (Remember to lock the door.)
E. Entertainment
Purchase two tickets to a dance performance, musical theatre, or a great comedy act. Get dressed up, wash and vacuum your car, and go.
S. Scavenger Hunt
Write little notes about how you feel about your sweetie, and hide them around the house with chocolate truffles. Include a riddle about where to look for the next one. With the last note, have something special waiting. Consider airplane tickets, a pair of diamond stud earrings, or a framed photo of the two of you.
I'm indebted to Heather Diodati for several of these ideas.
Special red button for Feb. 4, 2008 only. If you would like to use it, save the graphic, then upload it to your post. Code for yellow button is here.
Welcome to Marriage Monday
If you’re new here today, welcome to Chrysalis. Please make yourself at home. Let me introduce myself. My name is e-Mom [hello]. We live in the Pacific Northwest (USA), I enjoy short, extra foamy green tea lattes, and books are my passion—after Jesus Christ of course.
Two Options for Today’s Topic
Marriage Monday meets here the first Monday of every month. Two topics received equal votes in last month’s poll: "Top Ten Tips For the Ultimate Valentine's Celebration" and "My Most Memorable Valentine's Day Ever." Choose your favorite and write your heart out. Then link up here at Chrysalis. (Scroll down for Mister Linky.) Please leave your PERMALINK by Friday Feb 8, 2008.
New here? Please jump in. Guys, you’re welcome too.
Marriage Monday Giveaway
This month, you pick the prize! Find an item that suits you in the Chrysalis Café and Bookstore. Leave your name and selection in the comments. One groovey Marriage Monday contributor will be selected at random. The winner will be announced on Monday Feb. 11, 2008.
Marriage Monday Blogroll
You're invited to join the Marriage Monday blogroll. If you would like to be part of a growing community of married Christian women, please follow the easy steps posted here. All blogroll members will be invited to a special Cyber Tea in mid-February.
Vote For Next Month's Topic
Please vote for next month's topic in the poll in my sidebar. We'll meet here again for Marriage Monday on March 3, 2008.
Photo Credits: Hikiko Morix,creatively chang ed, jurvetson, Victorious_Angel (Flickr)
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32 COMMENTS:
Thank you so much for hosting this, emom!
I loved these ideas...and since we do birthday scavenger hunts, I especially liked the romantic twist on that idea!
Wow! Your post is filled with lots of fun. I'll be back in a while to read all of your ideas again.
Lori
Interestingly enough, my post is about travel. :) So I guess it was #1 as well.
I agree that a break from the responsibilities of home is an especially great gift. I don't have any children left at home, but caring for an elderly parent is just as challenging.
brilliant ideas....:)...its going to b of special use to me...:) thanks for posting....
we wat www.blog.giftex.in blog on various strategies on gifting....check out for more information...:)
thanks
sweet ideas!
AWESOME! I don't have time to read thoroughly..gotta get to work but this afternoon I'll come back when I have more time other than a quick browse....looks good..I can't wait! Mine is up but I didn't know about the red button...will try it later. God Bless you!
Really sweet ideas e-mom. Thanks. Hugs.
Thank you for hosting this Marriage Monday. May your days be filled with you!
Thanks E-mom,
Gosh, with those ideas...hmmm talk about one romantic Valentines! Thanks for always sharing so many neat ways to help improve our marriages.
Thanks also for being such a gracious hostess. I appreciate all you do to make this such a special day.
Blessings!
Please enter me for your contest!
pretty fun list! I've tried some of them lol still have a few more to accomplish!
and the contest! if I can enter I'd love the Today's Christian Woman!
Great post!
E-Mom,
Delightful post as always. I sent it to my hubby. Hope we get to try all the ideas. I laughed.... no biting.... You crack me up!!!!
Fun topic. Love you. Lynn
I love your post e-mom! I want to be that creative. My dh will be in Romania during Valentine's Day. I think I am going to do most of the ones you posted when he returns. It gives me more time to prepare. Thanks a ton!
Nat
This is always fun, e-Mom (I hope I didn't have too much fun this time). Thanks for being our gracious host.
Hi Again: Love the list! I have actually done a couple of them...the one about soaking in a tub together sure sounds great to me....you can enter me in the contest...I would love to try to win the French Vanilla kona coffee! :)
Great post lady - what are YOU going to be doing for you Valentine?
Thanks for being a wonderful host -off now to grab some more inspiration from my fellow Marriage Monday girls
Interesting list.
I did a list but it is slightly different since we don't really do Valentines day.
Thanks for hosting! What fun!!
If I happen to win, I'd love to receive the subscription to Christianity Today! :)
"The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls," is the book I am interested in if I win! That would be cool.
THIS WAS FUN! I loved your post. Thanks again e-mom for everything.
Hmmmmmm, every Valentine's Day since we got married almost 11 years ago is my favourite -- because it's our anniversary! (I'm a little embarrassed that I thought it would be way cool to get married on Valentines Day -- a little too cliche for me! -- but I can't undo it now. Nor do I really want to!)
Last year and this year, hubby's worked WAY up north for the months of February and March though, so this will be the second -- and hopefully LAST -- Valentine's Day anniversary that I celebrate alone!
Thank you, e-mom for encouraging us to invest in our marriages.
Blessings to you!
Licking! Oh my... :-) My hubby would like that one. You're brave to post some of these ideas - and I'm assuming your husband will be having a very tantalizing V-day with you!
Marriage Monday Bloggers:
Again, thank you for all of your thoughtful posts!
Valentine's Day can be a delightful, fun, and memorable day for couples... or it can be time of stress and unfulfilled expectations. No doubt, we've all tasted both sides of the equation.
While most of us stayed on topic and dealt with the positive aspects of this holiday, a few of us mentioned the disappointing realities. Thanks for being so enouraging to one another in your comments.
May we look to the Lord Jesus for the "meat and potatoes" of our self-esteem, while patiently teaching our husbands about our very real needs for romance and affection.
I'm looking forward to counting the votes, and then announcing our next topic for March.
Blessings to you all... and Big Hugs,
e-Mom :~D
This is really great way to help, share and encourage other Christian women thanks for stopping by my blog and I will come back for a more in-depth read when I can take some time.
Do I leave my book selection here? Or is there another place to leave it - umm having a moment!!
If it is here THEN IF I won I would love the NIV on audio b/c I have wanted something like this to listen to when I am in the car - BUT I have a silly question - I don't have an MP3 player - so would this work in my CD player in the car?
Well if not then I'll just have go buy one hehehe
BTW YES Go with the KISSES it's the best fun you'll have!!!
These are some great ideas! I finally got my post done, a little late, but it's up!
If it's not too late for the contest, I'd love the Today's Christian Woman.
Hey E-mom; I wasn't able to comment yesterday when I linked, so I figured it'd be fine to come back today and do so.
Yes, I did vote for my choice of topic for next month (btw, they're all kind of difficult for me to write about...).
Well, now...you surprised me with your list yesterday, in a few places. Oh, how I love to see some "spice" when it comes to marriage, the thought of you licking chocolate off E-dad? Hehe...brought a smile to my face.
As far as what I'd like in the cafe? Hmmmm, a few of the books piqued my interest, but it seems like they were the more expensive ones :/...So, hot chocolate? Always a good thing this time of year!!
(I haven't yet been able to visit the other linkers...but I'm gonna do my best to by the end of the week :) ).
Thanks for hosting!
Alisun, Shelley, Jana, & Robin: Thanks for contributing to Marriage Monday. We had fun with it this month, didn't we? Your comments and links are appreciated, AND your picks for a prize--and better late than never!
Hugs to you, e-Mom :~D
Stop by my place - I have something for you. :)
Love the idea! I look forward to putting my list into practice for Valentines Day! :)
Jan and This Momma: Thanks for dropping by today. And merci bienfor the award, Jan! :~D
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