This time of year we as men we often run into the usual situation of trying to plan something for Valentine’s Day.  It’s especially difficult for us guys for so many reasons.  First, we have exhausted our bank of ideas on Christmas.  Second, there is pressure to be romantic (when inherently we are not),  and lastly we do not want to duplicate bad ideas from years past.

Sure most guys wait until the last minute or even forget.  Don’t believe me? Check your local gas station.  There is a reason they sell roses and Valentine’s Day candy.  Don’t be that guy.  You don’t need to be Rico Suave but the truth is that you need to just plan a little better.  Here are some ideas to get you started:

Lingerie

Caution – Check your wife’s or girlfriend’s size before you go shopping for this stuff.  You don’t want to embarrass her or yourself by getting something for her that is too big or too small.  There is nothing that will ruin the moment faster than to have her thinking about her weight.  If you get something too big,  she’ll think you see her as fat, too small and she’ll get a complex.  Go for something tasteful.  Make her feel sexy, not slutty.  Look to spend $50 – $200.  This is a win, win gift as a guy.  Not only are you getting her a romantic and sexy gift, but she will want to wear it for you and you know what that means.

Candy

Sure a box of chocolates is always a nice gift.  The problem is that it shouldn’t say “Russell Stover’s”.  Look there is nothing wrong with the company; they make fine chocolates and have been around forever.  These are the chocolates that you should get your co-workers and friends, not your lover.  If you do, it screams “last minute ditch effort”.  It should come from a mom and pop store, Godiva’s, Munson’s, or some other brick and mortar that strictly sells sweets.  Then it shows you took the effort to pick out some quality chocolates.

Flowers

Flowers are a fantastic gift and most women love getting these especially on this particular day.  Prices are steep this time of year because they’ve got you by the short ones.  It’s okay, go with it.  You can pull out the stops and have them sent to her job, or be a romantic and bring them home.  Here’s a hint:  She loves getting high quality flowers at work.  It makes her look good to all the other girls and makes you look like Mr. Stud.  Red Roses ONLY.  Do not get those multi-colored ones it reeks cheap.  Worse, do not send carnations or any other flower, unless its your mom.

Jewelry

As a last resort, this is where we can make up for almost everyone of our shortcomings and mistakes.  Find out her preference and no, you don’t have to buy diamonds every year.  Get her some earrings in her birthstone, or a nice pendant.  It doesn’t have to cost you an arm and leg, but as you know the sky is the limit.  Just remember that you have anniversaries, Christmas, and Birthdays so you may not want to blow you load on a Valentine’s Day gift.

Other

• Concert, Musical, or Theater tickets (not Movie Theater).  These make a fantastic gift and can be paired with a nice dinner out for the two of you.
• A weekend getaway with some couple activities.
• A spa gift card, for a nice massage, manicures, pedicures, haircut, etc.
• Teddy Bears, yes women still love these things.  Get a nice one from Vermont Teddy Bear
• Pajamas – If your not into the whole lingerie thing.  Some great one’s can be found at Victoria Secret or Pajamagram.com

Avoid

• Appliances
• Things for the kitchen unless it fits a particular theme or it’s a passion of hers
• Electronics
• Toys
• Gadgets
• Jerseys

By: Sam Connolly

Bored of the regular dinner and a movie? Don’t want to spend $5oo dollars to take your date somewhere fancy? Try these cheaper date ideas to get closer to your special someone without putting a hole in your wallet.

1. Go to your {local dollar store, separate and try to each find and item for 1 dollar that reminds you of your special someone.. This may not sound like a date, but it can be a lot of fun, and really shows you how well you know each other.
2. In the summer go to a local park or lake, pack a lunch, sit down and just spend some time together. If you’re close to somewhere with lots of wildlife or interesting things, take a camera and see who can take a better picture.

3.In the winter, go ice skating. A lot of communities have a local ice rink that is open for free public use most days of the week. If you don’t know how to skate, go anyways and learn together.

1. Have a cook-off. Cook something for each other only out of things you can find in your pantry, light some candles, play some music, sit down and enjoy each others meals.
2. Play some mini golf. This is usually not expensive, and can be loads of fun. If your girl isn’t very good, it would sure be nice to be able to put your arms around her and show her “how the pros do it”.
3. Go camping. The only thing you really need to pay for is the campsite itself, which usually costs around $20 per night (cheap!). Make yourselves a campfire, snuggle up, roast some marshmallows and watch the stars. So cute!
4. Play board games for a night. Pick out your favorite board games and have a night-long friendly competition. Keep it just the 2 of you, or invite some friends over to spark it up a notch.
5. If your area has one, go to a drive-in theatre. You’ll be in the privacy of your own car, so anything can happen. (wink wink)
6. Give each other a massage. Even if neither one of you are very good at it, it still feels great to be rubbed and squeezed by your partner.
7. Build something together. Try going to a hobby store and getting an airplane, then when it’s done you can go to the park and fly it together.

Author Resource:netlovenow.com

Article From Article City Directory

Author: Carolyn B. Ellis

I’m often asked by my clients and the media what my most important tips are for thriving after divorce. Here are 5 of my Top 10 Tips to help separated and divorced individuals thrive after divorce.

1. Make a Choice: Survive or Thrive

Getting a divorce ranks right up there among the most painful life experiences. Does getting separated or divorced mean you’re doomed to fail in relationship? Not at all! It’s up to you. You can choose to simply survive and get through your divorce if you want to. Or you can choose to set the bar higher and choose to thrive instead. There is wisdom available to us from our divorce process, if we’re willing to use the experience instead of remaining a victim of it.

2. Get the Facts

It’s your responsibility to learn not only what your legal rights and obligations are, but also what your legal options are. Duking it out in court is not the only solution. There are alternatives such as collaborative law, divorce mediation or arbitration. The courts tend to view you as a file, not a family. Regardless of the legal route you choose, realize that you must be the quarterback and call the shots. If you give a busy judge with a huge caseload the responsibility for major decisions that will affect you and your family, chances are high that nobody will be happy with the final results.

3. Get Real

Divorce can be an overwhelming and confusing time. It’s important you get real with yourself about your situation. It’s difficult to move forward when you’re in denial about where you are now. Where are the holes in your support system or the gaps in your knowledge of how to navigate your divorce? If you need support, ask for it.

4. What Your Ex Thinks of You is None of Your Business

Remaining trapped in power struggles or wishing your ex-spouse will acknowledge your point of view will add some major potholes on your road to divorce. Realize that what your ex thinks of you is not your concern. The degree to which you focus on this robs you of your power. What you think of you and your decisions is what matters. Taking total responsibility for your thoughts, words, and actions will put you in the driver’s seat of your life.

5. Keep Your Children out of the Cross-Fire

It seems obvious that we, as adults, should do our best to keep children out of the middle of divorcing parents. Sadly there are far too many cases of children who are caught in the cross-fire. The spectrum ranges from using children as messengers or spies, forcing them to declare their loyalties, or even outright parental alienation or abduction. Divorce is an issue created by adults and children are the innocent bystanders. Imagine a significant milestone in the future, such as your child’s wedding. What kind of memories do you want your child to have of that special day? Start building toward that memory today and keep your children’s best interests in mind.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Author: Pua Melia

If you are struggling with money this year, as many people are, then you may be thinking of ways to cut back on your Christmas spending this year. Well, instead of spending a lot of money on one or two big gifts this year you can spend less money on more, yet still satisfying stocking stuffers. In reality there are a million different stocking stuffers you can give, but not all may suit the fancy of your recipient. Here are some great stocking stuffer ideas by age groups so you can find the perfect present for everyone on your list.

Babies from the year of 0-2 probably will not remember the Christmas gifts they receive but being able to take pictures of them tearing through their stocking will give you all something to look back on. For this age group snacks are always a good gift, think animal crackers, goldfish, or even better a cheerios dispenser with cheerios. You can also add some gifts that will probably benefit you more but will still give your baby something to open, gifts such as small stuffed animals, tiny board books, rattles, teething rings, bibs or bath toys or products. When looking for gifts for this age group it is important to remember to avoid choking hazards and objects with loose parts or sharp edges.

Obviously, as children get older there is more variety available gift wise but from the ages 2-8 there is still some safety concerns that must be considered so getting safe and simple gifts is wise. Gifts such as stickers, temporary tattoos, twisty straws, accessories (crowns, sheriff badges, gloves, sunglasses, pirate patches, etc), ornaments, pens, pencils, play dough, animal figures, character band aids and play jewelry are all fun. Obviously, when considering gifts for children in this age group you must still take into consideration age discrepancies, thus, play dough may not be a good idea for a two year old.

The next age group is that of the 9-11 year olds. This age group falls into an in between section but there are still some items that will be loved, think juggling balls, magic tricks, sketch book, “snowman poop”, Christmas ornament, special coins pocket stars, play jewelry, or toiletries. Movies are also a great gift for this age group as are smaller balls.

Now, as we get to the middle school age the number of gifts you can condor up becomes more numerous. This is an age where children are beginning to really grow up and have particular interests. For this age first think about specific bands, movies, or celebrities that your children are interested in and then buy items according to that. But there are also other items that this age group will love. For boys of this age you can get a small pocket knife, a desk calendar, an iTunes gift card, a Christmas ornament, cash, a cell phone cover or accessories, a Nerf football, a hacky sack, disposable razors, beef jerky or a pocket reference book. For a girl you can get colored Chap Stick, an iTunes gift card, a movie theatre gift card, jewelry, hair accessories, perfume, stationary, sketch books, or cell phone accessories.

The next two age groups you might think of can kind of be combined. These age groups are those of high school and college age kids. These kids often have more refined taste but still enjoy some unexpected gifts. For boys of this age think cell phone covers, hack sacks, t-shirts, USB flash drives, iTunes gift cards, Jamba Juice or Starbucks gift cards, movie theatre certificates, cash, Chap Stick or the Onion desk calendar. And for girls you can get accessories, hair bands or clips, stationary, jewelry, luggage tags, scrapbooking supplies, perfume, travel size toiletries, books, cash, CD’s or gift cards to their favorite stores.

Finally, we move on to adult appropriate stocking stuffers. Many adults have a very refined taste and know what they enjoy and what they do not, thus taking into consideration the individual’s favorite candies, teas, coffees, chocolates etc will help fill that stocking but there are also other things that will be appreciated as well. Many men would enjoy a digital camera, a wallet, a small camcorder, a wine bottle, a tie, a leather shaving bag, an electric razor, a lighter, a watch, cuff links or slippers. Women on the other hand would like a skin car kit, lip balm or lipstick, a makeup kit, candles, perfume, hand warmers, tea or jewelry.

For more great stocking stuffer ideas, click here!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/holidays-articles/great-affordable-stocking-stuffer-ideas-1590035.html

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