I was thinking about what to write, and realized I have already told
you the most memorable Valentines stories from my past. Since most of
my idea's of making Valentine's day special are, well, out dated, I
surfed the web to see what the younger Valentine's are doing this year.
I gathered a few Valentine "do's and don'ts" to share.

First here is the Don'ts.

* Don't tell your partner about that perfect present you almost bought.
* Don't give the same Valentine card you gave your partner last year.
* Don't buy the wrong size/brand of anything.
* Don't tell your date you forgot your wallet again.
* Don't leave your date alone with your parents, room mates or pet.
* Don't buy your partner household appliances for Valentine's Day.
(or any other holiday for that matter!!)
* Don't give your partner an engagement ring that was bought for
someone else!
* AND...don't ever, never ever, take phone calls from past
Valentine's!!

Now here are the fun idea's

#1   Breakfast of Lovers
For the last couple of years I've made heart shaped pancakes for
breakfast. I found a whole set of heart shaped cookie cutters a while
back, including a big one. I lay it down on the griddle and pour the
pancake batter inside it. As soon as the pancake starts to set I take
the cookie cutter off and make another one. I use the same cookie
cutter and make heart shaped sandwiches.
--EF Pleasanton, CA

#2   Moonlight Picnic
One of my most romantic Valentines Day events was a moonlight picnic. I
made heart shaped butter cookies with strawberry jam middles. My
Valentine made a simple pasta dinner, baked a slice of brie, and
brought fresh strawberries for dessert. We packed it all in a
basket....our first choice was a picnic on the roof, but we couldn't
get up there. So a picnic at your local park, beach, or some other safe
outdoor place is just as romantic
--Melissa C.

#3   Balloon Surprise
Cut out small hearts out of construction paper, write sayings on them
or lyrics to love songs, little IOU's for your significant other. Take
these hearts, fold them in half. Buy a bag of balloons, blow up the
balloons, and place a heart in each balloon. Place these balloons in a
room with the door closed, in a car at work, or while they are
sleeping. Make a card and tape a needle inside the card and tell the
person they have to use the pin to pop the balloons to get their
Valentine surprise
--Sheri

#4   Finger Paint
A bottle of red finger paint provided a Valentines Day for my
sweetheart that will not be forgotten! I took a sponge and the red
finger paint, and went to his place of employment. I painted red hearts
all over the windows and windshield of his car, making sure to leave a
big space so he could see out to drive home. He loved it!
--H.

#5   Special Dinner
For Valentine's Day dinner, I always make foods that are either red,
white, pink, or heart shaped. Past menus have included heart shaped
pizza, heart shaped meatloaf, red Jell-O, pink milk or pink lemonade,
sliced beets cut with a heart cookie cutter, pink mashed potatoes,
heart shaped cookies, etc. A few drops of food color, and you're on
your way.
--Deb

#6    Heart Attack.
For showing your love for family or friends, I recommend a Heart
Attack. Cut out dozens of red, white and pink construction paper
hearts, about cookie cutter size. You may want to scrawl messages on
some of them. Late the night before Valentines Day, or during the day
if you know they are not home, sneak over and tape the hearts all over
the front door, or the car, or wherever seems best. We often leave a
plate of cookies by the door, too. These are fun to make, easy to clean
up, and send an unmistakable message!
--Deb

#7   Special Memories
What I do for this and other holidays is think about your most
treasured memory involving this person. Then, I try to think of some
trinket that will remind him/her of that time. For example, my favorite
memory of my dad is once when he rescued some baby rabbits from a fire.
For Christmas, I bought him a ceramic bunny ($3) and wrote a letter to
him telling him how proud I was to be his daughter. I find this is an
inexpensive and more meaningful way to celebrate.
--Amy in Murray, KY

#8   A Poem
One time I took a huge piece of poster board, made up a poem to my
husband, and set it in the front yard for the whole world to see as
they came by. Boy was he surprised when he came home from work!
--Louannda

Some good Idea's huh? Before I go I want to share a site of one of my
very first readers! Billie was one of the first 50 members. She's been
with us from the start, almost 7 years now!! She said it's ok to share
her Web Home with you, so please take a few minutes to visit her and
sign her guest book!!
http://www.geocities.com/hartstreasures2003/BILLIESHOMEPAGE.html

I have made a couple of my email's into pages. I get some of the
funniest stuff, and just have to share! If you know where they
originated let me know! Many Thanks. And now here are the new pages!

Valentine Secret
http://www.putomaya.com/ecards/05v02.html

Mouse Pad
http://putomaya.com/ecards/05v03.html

Roses and Violets
http://putomaya.com/ecards/05v04.html

Heart Beat
http://www.putomaya.com/ecards/05v05.html

History of Love
http://www.putomaya.com/ecards/05vdy01.html

Cry
http://www.putomaya.com/ecards/b32.html

Winter Fun
http://www.putomaya.com/ecards/b33.html

My Appetite
http://www.putomaya.com/ecards/b34.html

Toaster Pops!
http://www.putomaya.com/ecards/b35.html

True Wealth
http://www.putomaya.com/ecards/b36.html