From Cindy's Porch...

The stuffed gorillas holding pink hearts have been lining the shelves
since Dec 29. The Easter stuffed bunnies are quickly taking their
place. Yes, the retailers are gearing up for the next stage of
holiday spending. There is nothing wrong with picking up a special
gift for a special person, but always DO it using your own ideas, not
some marketer's idea about how to tell someone you love them. A
stuffed gorilla? I think not LOL.

Our first goal for the month of February is to have a DO instead of
BUY Valentines. These are so much fun. Our family remembers the
Valentines they made over the years much more than anything that was
purchased for them. I remember when my guy puts the extra touches on
the day that makes it so memorable.

Not only will you keep many vulnerable twenties in your own cash
stash, but you will be creating memories for you and your family that
will be treasured for many years. Enjoy the DO in your life!



Let's start....

I was enjoying a few minutes of quiet this morning with the daily
newspaper and couldn't help noticing all of the Valentine's ads.
There were many glossy pink and red flyers from the local jewelry
stores. If you want something with a heart on it, this is certainly
the time to look (it's probably not the best time to BUY). I don't
know very much about jewelry, so I have no idea whether the prices
are any good right now. I suspect, that if jewelry is marketed like
flowers at this time of year, the prices have gone up. Wow! The
prices of a "show-your-loved-one-how- much-you-care" flower bouquet
are very high! My estimate, they are at least double what they were
last month (and what they will be next month). And chocolate (one of
my favorites) is more expensive than usual too. If you want to go out
for a romantic supper, look out! The last time we went out on
Valentine's Day was over ten years ago. Not only were the prices
inflated, but they crammed in more tables for the event. It was NOT
romantic, and it was not fun.

We decided then, that Valentine's Day was something we were going to
DO instead of BUY!

It doesn't matter whether Valentine's Day is celebrated with a
partner, with your children, with a friend, or all by yourself. Take
the time to celebrate.

Want some ideas?

The PAMPER Package:
-------------------
My guy did this for me when the kids were toddlers. It still brings a
smile to my face.

1) First off, he scrubbed out the bathroom (even got rid of the
rubber ducks, the fleets of toy boats, and the kiddie facecloth)

2) Then, he went hunting in our candle stash and found a red
candle and a white candle. We didn't have candlesticks at the time,
so he put one of them onto a sour cream dish and the other in a water
glass.

3) Then, he dove into my hidden stash of bubble baths and body
lotions (with toddlers, I never seemed to find the time to energy to
enjoy some private time).

4) Then, he set up my CD player with my favorite quiet tunes.

5) When I got home, he marched me straight up to my private spa.
A hot bubble bath by candle light, accompanied by my favorite songs,
and a glass of wine.

6) Now, here is the best part. While I was luxuriating in the
tub, he was keeping the kids quiet AND making supper. It was
wonderful (and didn't cost a thing!). I am not going to tell you what
happened later (smile).

(The guy version of cleaning the bathroom -
http://www.cindysporch.net/pages/h_bathroom_m.shtml )

The RED and PINK package:
-------------------------
This is fun when Valentine's Day is celebrated with the family.

1) Ask everyone to wear something red or pink for the day.

2) Make Valentines for each other. Dig into your craft stash for
supplies (and remember, an orange or green Valentine is just as
special as a pink or red one – it doesn't have to be perfect).

3) Brainstorm ideas in the family for a "red" supper. (Home made
heart-shaped pizza, spaghetti, red rice, red peppers, tomato salad,
or whatever else comes to mind). SHOP at home FIRST.

4) Let the kids set a fancy table for supper (remember napkins,
serving spoons, platters, and candles). Mine like to make heart-
shaped placemats for the event.

5) After supper, enjoy a board game or game of cards with the
family. Our favorite card game on Valentine's Day? Hearts of course!

The "I MISS YOU" package:
----------------------
There have been many Valentine's Days when my husband and I haven't
been together (we both have traveled a lot over the years). So here's
an idea when you are going to be apart. Write a special Valentine's
letter with a photo and tuck it into an envelope.

Spray a little perfume on it if you wish. Then tuck it into your
partner's suitcase (or under your partner's pillow if you are the one
who is traveling). Remember to phone each other on the day.

Last, but not least. Remember, Valentine's Day is just "a day."
Don't fall into the marketing, advertising, and retailing trap of
BUYing a bunch of stuff to show someone you love them. Think of
something you can DO instead of BUY. The memories will last a lot
longer than the flowers on a bouquet of red roses. And that romantic
supper? How about scheduling it for March when there are less people,
the prices have gone down, and the weather is warmer.

Please remember, showing someone that you love them is something that
you DO, not something that you need to BUY.