Monday, February 01, 2010
The Love Month
The Love Month has arrived. Some people love it and some people hate it. I guess that's how it is with all holidays, but this one seems to really carry a lot of passion, one way or the other. You're either in love and can't wait for the day to get here or you're alone and angry and want it to pass over you like a 747. Then again, there are those who just don't give a rip, one way or the other.
If you hate the day just for its mere existence, then I hope you'll transfer your energy into caring for a friend or a loved one instead. The day doesn't have to carry such a negative connotation with it. Why not send roses to your Mom or Dad? Or pick a friend who's a lot worse off than yourself and bless her with a box of chocolates. Harry and David's has a fantastic basket of goodies on sale for around $15 which includes free shipping. Another great online resource is Costco, where you can get some great cookies and treat towers for around $25. Most of those include free shipping as well.
On the other hand, some of you are madly in love. You just can't wait for the big day to arrive. You're online hunting down the best chocolates and looking for the most beautiful roses to send or to receive (hopefully). You're the type who is dying to go see that new movie called "Valentine's Day" that has enough star power in it to actually break some records. Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, and Emma Roberts are some of the female leads, just to name a few. For males, you're gonna see Patrick Dempsey, Topher Grace, Ashton Kutcher, and Jamie Foxx, plus a few other hunks. Check out Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift as well, who play a cute couple in love, even though they're apparently "just friends" now in real life.
Others are indifferent about February 14th. You could take it or leave it. You hope you get something fun, maybe even a sweet kiss or two, but life is just too busy and too darn stressful for you to stop and care. You've got someone special and you enjoy your time together but you're just flat out tired and overwhelmed with life. Others are too broke to think about buying anything besides groceries let alone those silly red flowers. That's reasonable. Life is totally chaotic and our economy pretty much sucks. But there's hope.
Here's the deal, one equation for all three categories: love, hate, and indifference. No matter what happens on the big day, do these five things to ensure a big smile on your face and warm fuzzy feelings in your heart.
First, eat chocolate, no matter what diet you happen to be on at the moment. Eat the damn candy even if you have to buy it for yourself. Go for the dark chocolate and you'll even pack in some healthful antioxidants. If you love shopping organic, check out Fresh & Easy's organic ginger chocolate bar. It's literally amazing and costs less than $2.
Second, smell some fragrant roses, even if you just stop by the flower section in the grocery store while you're passing through. The Botanic Gardens up at UCR are pretty awesome too, if you're up for a relaxing hike. Check out their two rose gardens while some roses are still in bloom. Remember a quarter for parking though or else you're going to have to hike from Botswana just to get there.
Third, do something active. Whether that means going for a jog, attending the step class at your gym, or rocking out with the one you love, that's up to you. Just make sure to get out there and get the blood pumping. Endorphins are released and you'll feel better about yourself, about life in general, and about love.
Fourth, send a card to someone who needs a reminder that he or she is loved. Think of someone who might not even get a single card. Let him or her know they are special by sending a card in the mail or even just an e-card. Go to 123Greetings.com for some cool free e-card options. Yours doesn't have to be romantic; it really could be a platonic greeting of friendship and well-being. But maybe it should be romantic. Don't underestimate the power of love.
Last but not least, rent a feel-good movie or go out to the theater to see one. Why the heck not? Check out "Valentine's Day," which opens on the 12th. Or go and see "Leap Year" which opened a few weeks ago. I saw it and loved it, mainly because it's set in Ireland (which I'm dying to visit someday). Even though you can predict the plots of these kinds of movies with absolute certainty, they're fun to watch and you know I'm right.
Share some of your favorite Valentine's gift ideas here. Or, share a Valentine's tale that will make us laugh. We'd love to hear from you.
If you hate the day just for its mere existence, then I hope you'll transfer your energy into caring for a friend or a loved one instead. The day doesn't have to carry such a negative connotation with it. Why not send roses to your Mom or Dad? Or pick a friend who's a lot worse off than yourself and bless her with a box of chocolates. Harry and David's has a fantastic basket of goodies on sale for around $15 which includes free shipping. Another great online resource is Costco, where you can get some great cookies and treat towers for around $25. Most of those include free shipping as well.
On the other hand, some of you are madly in love. You just can't wait for the big day to arrive. You're online hunting down the best chocolates and looking for the most beautiful roses to send or to receive (hopefully). You're the type who is dying to go see that new movie called "Valentine's Day" that has enough star power in it to actually break some records. Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, and Emma Roberts are some of the female leads, just to name a few. For males, you're gonna see Patrick Dempsey, Topher Grace, Ashton Kutcher, and Jamie Foxx, plus a few other hunks. Check out Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift as well, who play a cute couple in love, even though they're apparently "just friends" now in real life.
Others are indifferent about February 14th. You could take it or leave it. You hope you get something fun, maybe even a sweet kiss or two, but life is just too busy and too darn stressful for you to stop and care. You've got someone special and you enjoy your time together but you're just flat out tired and overwhelmed with life. Others are too broke to think about buying anything besides groceries let alone those silly red flowers. That's reasonable. Life is totally chaotic and our economy pretty much sucks. But there's hope.
Here's the deal, one equation for all three categories: love, hate, and indifference. No matter what happens on the big day, do these five things to ensure a big smile on your face and warm fuzzy feelings in your heart.
First, eat chocolate, no matter what diet you happen to be on at the moment. Eat the damn candy even if you have to buy it for yourself. Go for the dark chocolate and you'll even pack in some healthful antioxidants. If you love shopping organic, check out Fresh & Easy's organic ginger chocolate bar. It's literally amazing and costs less than $2.
Second, smell some fragrant roses, even if you just stop by the flower section in the grocery store while you're passing through. The Botanic Gardens up at UCR are pretty awesome too, if you're up for a relaxing hike. Check out their two rose gardens while some roses are still in bloom. Remember a quarter for parking though or else you're going to have to hike from Botswana just to get there.
Third, do something active. Whether that means going for a jog, attending the step class at your gym, or rocking out with the one you love, that's up to you. Just make sure to get out there and get the blood pumping. Endorphins are released and you'll feel better about yourself, about life in general, and about love.
Fourth, send a card to someone who needs a reminder that he or she is loved. Think of someone who might not even get a single card. Let him or her know they are special by sending a card in the mail or even just an e-card. Go to 123Greetings.com for some cool free e-card options. Yours doesn't have to be romantic; it really could be a platonic greeting of friendship and well-being. But maybe it should be romantic. Don't underestimate the power of love.
Last but not least, rent a feel-good movie or go out to the theater to see one. Why the heck not? Check out "Valentine's Day," which opens on the 12th. Or go and see "Leap Year" which opened a few weeks ago. I saw it and loved it, mainly because it's set in Ireland (which I'm dying to visit someday). Even though you can predict the plots of these kinds of movies with absolute certainty, they're fun to watch and you know I'm right.
Share some of your favorite Valentine's gift ideas here. Or, share a Valentine's tale that will make us laugh. We'd love to hear from you.
Labels: chocolates, romantic comedy, Valentine's Day
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Your 5 ideas are so gr8. I'm going to do them on 2/14. Thanks for the encouraging words. I recommend that people cook a meal for a loved one. There is so much comfort to be found in cooking for others! Or if people are going out to eat... perhaps they can cook a homemade dessert earlier in the day, so there will be something homemade at home! Looking forward to V-day! Hugs - Dani
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