Buying great gifts for your special someone while you are far away can sometimes be very difficult. It is important that you remember, however, that the sentiment of sending anything at all is more important than the gift itself as your loved one will know that you were thinking about them while you were gone. Whether you are in a long-distance relationship, are away during an important event or you are away on business a lot, then you might want to consider some of these ideas to help keep the flame going when you can’t be there.

Love Letters

It’s true that we live in a modern world where quick forms of communication are the norm, but no email, tweet or poke on facebook could ever come close to the romance of alove letter. A timely classic for a reason, a love letter shows that you care enough for the person to sit down and personally write out your feelings on a piece of paper. They will be touched that you put in the effort, and there is nothing more exciting than receiving a letter in the mail!

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Spring is a time for renewal. So why not renew our relationship as we leave the cold winter behind us? There are many fantastic ways to spark romance and intimacy in your relationship; below I have revealed 4 of my favorite ones. They are simple, inexpensive and virtually guaranteed to bring back that lovin’ feeling – whether it is gone, gone, gone, hanging by a thread, or desperate for a fresh breath of creativity or new life!

1. Romantic Date Idea – If you’ve been dating or married for a while, having a romantic date night is sure to bring back the spark. Send the kids to a friend’s house for a sleepover or spend the night at a hotel (my personal favorite, wink). “Hotel dates” are romantic because they seem to add an element of seduction. Whether at home or in a hotel, kick it up a notch and play some games like role-playing or pretending you are strangers. Be creative – this is fun – believe me!

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How responsible communication can lead to a great Valentine’s Day!

Rob, 35 Huntington Beach, CA, asked Maryanne:

Last year my wife flipped out when I bought her lingerie for Valentine’s Day. The truth is, I still don’t know why. She just got angry and said “Isn’t it obvious?” and that was it. Any advice on what I get her this year that won’t set her off (and that we both can enjoy), which is what I thought the point of Valentine’s Day was?

Maryanne’s answer:

Rob, that’s a great question. Some guys might have just blown it off and thought, Hmmm, maybe this year I’ll get her some lingerie in a different color. Sounds like you’re guessing that is not the answer, unless you like being told off and sexually frustrated.

In terms of what you can get, you need to get clear on what both your expectations are about Valentine’s Day, and the more explicit the better. Because likely her reaction last year is not only a symptom of what’s really going on but has now had a chance to fester, becoming a resentment for you both that is like poison in a relationship. So, getting clarity is what should be first on your list!

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Most women love to shop. Truth be told, the holidays can be the perfect excuse for women to not only engage in – but ramp up into full gear – this favorite female pastime activity. Never mind that I, the bizarre person I can be at times, hates shopping. (I know, this alone should throw me out of the club called “womanhood” forever.) Although I hate shopping, I find myself spending a ton of time and money shopping during the holiday season; and like the rest of you, I suspect I spend more time shopping during the holiday season than at any other time during the year.

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Gift giving can be treacherous ground but you’ll have far greater success if, before you whip out your credit card, you ask yourself these questions:

Does your sweetheart prefer things or experiences? I could surprise my sweetheart with a Porsche and he’d say, “Why? I already have a car.”  Never mind that his car is old and boring—it runs and that’s enough for him. He would, however, be ecstatic with tickets for an African safari. My guy isn’t about stuff. But he’ll jump at the chance to take in the opera, sky dive, white water raft, see a mountain for the first time, experience a new restaurant, climb a glacier, or float in a hot air balloon. Some people prefer things they can touch and see long after the gift was received; others prefer memories.

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Summary:

So you’re in the doghouse because you took her out to KFC for V-Day? If you want a chance at showing her you’re worthy, do as many of these five things as you can.

by Al Natanagara

What Were You Thinking?

Did you listen to your friend who annually proclaims “Valentines Day was made up by greeting card companies,” as a way to hide the pain of being single?  Did you give her a Whitman’s Sampler instead of the Godivas? For God’s sake, man, did you take her out for a romantic dinner at the sports pub and not even sit near the screen that was showing pairs figure skating??!!??

Well, you blew it, and it’s going to take some hard work to get your sorry butt out of the doghouse. Roll up your sleeves, put on a pot of strong coffee, and let’s get cracking. This is a list of five suggestions–do not choose just one. In fact, the more you do, the better your chances of salvaging your relationship.

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Whether you are married, living together, dating, etc. it is not uncommon for couples to experience elevated stress levels during the holidays.  The key is to pay attention, communicate your needs, and incorporate strategies to keep stress low.

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I’ve always felt awkward giving a gift to my husband Dale when the money I use to pay for it comes from the communal pot. Is it really a gift if half the purchase price comes from him??? Doesn’t that make it half a gift? And I never seem to pick the one thing that will make his eyes light up. He says he has the same problem. So one year, years ago, my husband Dale and I gave up on gift-exchanging and instead we do something together, for us, as our gift to each other and to our relationship.

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Whether you are married, dating, engaged, living together, etc, if you have a significant other, you can be sure your guy or girl expects some sort of token and/or expression of your feelings on Valentine’s Day. The history of Valentines Day has long been lost to the idea of today’s ideologies regarding it. It is celebrated in many countries in many various ways; however, here in the states, it seems to have gotten to be a bit more materialistic based. The key to ensuring you avoid a disaster is to know what your partner’s expectations are surrounding this momentous day. If you have been together awhile, chances are you know what they want or at least expect. If this is your first Valentine’s Day together, you should have been paying attention a few months ago. I realize a few months ago, you most likely were trying to figure out the whole Christmas present thing. So make it a point that next year come January 2^nd, you start brainstorming about Valentine’s Day and what your partner/lover wants. In my book, The Straight Man’s Pocket Guide to Picking Up a Hottie-Written by a Woman Who Loves Women, I identify Rule Number 10 as “Never be Common, Boring or Ordinary”. Use Valentine’s Day to put this into action and bring romance back into your relationship or if newly dating, use it to show him/her what a great catch you are!!!!

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Your anniversary is approaching and you have no idea what to get for your significant other. You look for hints of things that they have mentioned but still the time is creeping closer and you haven’t found a thing. There are always items that a man or woman need but I find it much more pleasing to take the other approach and find something they have been wanting, something that is not a necessity, but something that will bring an endless smile to their face. … read more