From the category archives:

Valentine Gifts

Romantic Gifts for Coffee Lovers

by painterlady

Many people LIKE coffee but some people LOVE it and cannot live one day without it. These coffee connoisseurs know the brands that they like or the store that makes the best coffee. Here are a few ideas if you are looking for gifts for YOUR coffee lover.

photo credit: jwalsh

Coffee Mugs – There’s nothing better than a steaming cup of hot coffee in your favorite mug. Give them several mugs to choose from so that no matter which mug they use, it is a good one that will bring a smile to their face with each sip. If the coffee lover in your life prefers a certain brand of coffee, order a mug with the company’s logo on it.

Membership to a Coffee Club – Some coffee lovers really enjoy trying new flavors. One of the best ways to check out new flavors is by getting a membership in a coffee club. Boca Java is a coffee membership club that offers new flavors each season. They provide fresh ground coffee or whole bean depending on the subscriber’s preferred tastes. They ship every four, seven, or twelve weeks. If your coffee lover doesn’t like the membership they are free to cancel at any time.

Coffee Machine – Nothing says love to a coffee guru like a brand new coffee machine. Pick up the latest model machine that does everything. There are brew stations that make coffee by the cup or by the pot. You can even purchase a coffee machine that grinds the beans before it brews. How about giving them an espresso/cappuccino maker to enjoy drinks at home?

Coffee Gift Basket – Gift baskets are a great option. They can contain several gifts in one package. You can purchase a gift basket online, in a coffee store, or get creative and come up with one of your own. You can add things like: several bags of their favorite flavored coffees, a cute coffee mug, flavored spoons, sugar, creamers, or anything else that would satisfy their coffee cravings.

Flavored Spoons and Such – Sweet treats are a complement to just about any cup of coffee. Flavored spoons that are covered in chocolate and other flavors enhance the coffee, and not to mention they are also fun too. Instead of powdered creamer, offer the coffee lover tasty flavors like caramel crème and French vanilla for his or her first morning cup of Joe.

Coffee doesn’t have to be boring anymore! If you LOVE a coffee lover, make their experience of drinking coffee special with a few choice gifts like the ones below.

Surrender Your Love Espresso Gift Set

Espresso Your Love: Valentine’s Day Coffee Gift Basket

Hallmark Valentines MVP of My Heart Mug

Hallmark Valentines Handcuff Mug

Red Heart Shaped Mug

Travel Mug White with Red Heart

Always Loved Personalized Red Heart Coffee Mugs

Black & Decker Brew-N-Go Coffeemaker with Stainless Steel Travel Mug

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Thoughts On What NOT To Offer As Romantic Gifts

by Valentine Gal

It may be at the classy restaurant downtown. It may be on that first trip to an exotic destination. Or it could be in the relaxation of home. Wherever it is, you want to make sure that first gift for a romantic interest is memorable and full of loving feeling.

A unique romantic gift can be the high point of a growing relationship, when it shows a level of understanding and empathy only present between truly compatible souls. Of course, on the other hand, nothing can be worse than a gift that shows just how serious those few faults in a newfound partner are. Let’s look at four such gifts that have spoiled even the most auspicious of relationships.

Puppy.

Imagine you just finished a enjoyable dinner with the new love of your life. You are sipping on some wine when they lean across the table with a mischievous gleam in their eye.

“I have something for you.”

You hear some faint barks in the background. The wine starts to taste a little bit sour. “Umm…”

From out of the other room springs a new, lively puppy. “We can care for it together!” Even excluding the potential of allergies, don’t buy an animal on a whim without first having a sustained talk or you can bet on raising that pup as a single parent.

Plane Tickets.

“Oh wow – plane tickets! Time to hit the beach”

That might be your first impression at seeing this romantic gift, coming from your new significant other.

With a serious look in their eye, they grab your hands.

“I think you should meet…my parents!I bought tickets to leave for the weekend!”

The filet mignon you just ate feels like a rock in your stomach. “Oh…um…”

Even if the new partner you’ve found is “the one,” please don’t bring the parents to the table too early in the game.

Especially if a visit would incorporate a long plane trip, wherein you have to suffer through security, time differences, and possible schedule conflicts. Unless carefully planned, such a romantic gift would only end in grief/regret/unhappiness.

Slim Fast.

“That was a really great movie.” “I know!” Your special person replies.

It’s late outside and the cool night breeze creates a perfect romantic atmosphere for a romantic gift.

“But you know, I’ve been worrying about something lately. I want you to take a look at this.”

They pop open their trunk and remove a carton of canned beverages. “I found this case of slim fast on sale the other day, and I’d really like you to replace a meal a day with it.”

Please make sure that the first romantic gift you give is positive in tone, and emphasizes a good quality of your new partner.

Self-improvement might come later, if at all. Too many tears have been spilled due to the well-intentioned gifters who have no sense of timing or don’t think about the underlying message behind their gift.

A New Car.

“I had a really great time today!” You’re just exiting the art gallery and feel renewed by the warm sunshine outside.

“Shhh.” Your new partner puts their finger to your mouth. “Wait until you see this.”

They pull out a key, and the shiny BMW behind them lights up with a beep. “Oh, is that your new car?” You ask.

“No baby…it’s a present for you.”

Please don’t try to “buy” your new partner’s interest. Even if your wallet and bank account are stuffed with hard-earned cash, such a display will only overwhelm them. (Unless, of course, they are that special category of person called a gold-digger)

Small, affectionate or even unique romantic gifts are often the most meaningful.

All in all, when giving romantic gifts, remember this:

Don’t give a gift that is designed more to push your agenda than to please your new love. Use your understanding and your empathy to pick something that will truly please the other. After all, isn’t a desire to please what romance is all about?

Here are a few valentine’s day gift ideas:

Sweetheart Chocolate Rose Candy Bouquet

Kama Sutra Honeydust, 8 Ounces

Celebrate your special person with I LOVE YOU red heart frame

Thats Amore! Romantic Dinner For Two – Italian Gourmet Food Gift Basket

I Love You Neon Sign 13 x 32

photo credit: Sara Alfred  photo credit: Dan4th

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Creative Ideas On How To Make Gift Baskets

by Valentine Gal

The Perfect Basket: How to Make a Fabulous Gift Basket for Any Occasion

I grew up in a family where gift giving was practiced on a regular basis. We did not have a great deal of money. My parents worked hard for everything that they had and everything that they gave to us. I think this is why anything extra that was given felt like a gift. My mother has always been very giving.

As an adult I have tried to carry on my mother’s giving spirit. I buy items when I see them on sale and store them in a closet at home. When it comes time for a gift giving occasion I have a supply of things to give. My favorite thing to do is to develop unique Gift Baskets for the people I am giving to. This is where the small things I pick up through the year come into play. I do not like the pre-packaged baskets because you cannot tell the quality of the items that are wrapped together; also they tend to be more filler than items.

To start my unique gift baskets I find a container that suits the person I am giving the gift too. I have used a variety of things. Sometimes the container is the main gift and other times it simply holds the other items together. The unique gift baskets that I gave my sisters for Christmas were by far my favorite. My two sisters are both master gardeners. They have beautiful backyard gardens. I started my gifts by purchasing sturdy watering cans that would be

the basket for the gift. Inside I placed a pair of shears for cutting flowers, a hand pruner, a hand held spade and rake for potting plants and a mister to apply pesticides. On the handle of the water can I tied a pair of garden gloves that were folded tog ether and fanned out to look like a bow. My sisters loved their unique gift baskets. Having the gardening tools given in the winter time gave them extra hope that spring was on its way.

I have also given the baskets that are filled with personal care products. Instead of buying the pre-made ones I make up my own to stay in the theme of unique gift baskets. This way I can include a person’s favorite scent, or favorite candy or other treat.

Two years ago for Christmas we gave three families that we exchange gifts with a family gift basket. These unique gift baskets included a deck of cards, a card game, dice and rules for a dice game, a box of microwave popcorn, several boxes of movie theater candies, and certificates for movie rentals at the neighborhood video store and a certificate for a take and bake pizza. The container was a flat basket that had a lid so the cards and dice could be stored in it. This provided for an evening at home for the families. It is fun to use your imagination and to put together gifts that people will enjoy because they were made specifically for them.

Here are a few pre-made gift basket ideas that you can purchase online. Just click on the picture.