Once again Valentine's Day has come around, that special day on the calendar to be celebrated by all those whose desire for one another has drawn them in to a romantic union.

To many a gentleman this is a perfect opportunity to show the lady in his life weather she be wife or other how deeply his feelings of adoration run. After all is this not a day set aside for such a purpose? Did the man who would go on to be dubbed Saint Valentine not risk and even give his life for those who find themselves entangled in love's web to be as one?

This Saint Valentine did and now it is in our hands and wills to keep alive the spirit of he who so many centuries ago was selfless to the point of being martyred for others to be together.

However it is the ideas or perhaps lack of which that may lead many a male to ask "How should this day be spent with this lady (weather she be young or not) whose eye has been caught by the man that he be?". There are those who might respond by claiming that it is appropriate to present their damsels with flowers or chocolates that be accompanied by cards that like he so many centuries ago come signed "your Valentine" and it is not I that I would dispute this notion but encourage it.

However some may ask does this truly suffice to demonstrate to that special lady in our lives how she stirs up our emotions of adulation? How her mere presence not only in our eyes but in our lives serves us for inspiration that we feed upon to get us through the day till we join her for those moments of intimacy that give meaning to our lives? To those who inquire along these lines I would retort that it be not a matter of magnitude but of the eminence we show in the mode we express our feelings. It is for them that I have the following suggestions on how they might allow all the tenderness that be inside them to radiate to the one they wish to share it with.

1 First let us begin with what presents should be gotten? To this question I would say that Saint Valentine's day by nature is not a day that requires expensive presents, not that they be out of place should they come but let us not forget that this day is for romance so if presents should come they need not be in the costly category. May they be something that be not only an item but one that sends a message such as flowers. However for those wishing to express their desire for ardor deeper then might I suggest perfume that when combined with the scent of the lady in mind will emit a fragrance of splendor which would be uniquely hers in its influence of seduction. Of course there are those whose taste and daring may run them in to what we shall call the more direct approach of togetherness so it is to them that I suggest lingerie. This being what is reserved for certain eyes exclusively such as stockings of silk that when seen by others give not their intent but when exposed to our eye become a lure for our desires. I naturally understand that there are those whose financial situation or ideas may lead them to buying jewelry such as diamond rings or tiaras that shine and sparkle on their beloved but to those I advice to save such lovely souvenirs for anniversaries as basically that is when they be more in season.

2 Many perhaps who find themselves in a couple do not have ideas of romance on what activities they may engage in with their partner other then the obvious acts of carnality. I for my part am not attempting to dissuade any from those sensuous moments for this is the whole idea of Saint Valentine's day. It is in my esteem however that these actions which might be performed on any other day take on an added significance on Saint Valentine's day. Bearing this in mind I suggest that our actions should lead up to it. When making this past statement I speak not of what is commonly referred to as foreplay but perhaps what guides us to it in the form of a meal that be illuminated solely by the light of candle. This ambiance might lend flavor to even those vitals which under circumstances that differ would be barely palatable but I ask if the settings that surround the meal be special should not what we force our stomachs digest be equally? With this in mind why not take some time to get a cookbook that will open the world of the finer dishes. Naturally these books would not be needed by those whose gastronomic abilities match their longing for those dishes of the gourmet kind nor for the ones who prefer to reserve a table at their favorite restaurant. I unsurprisingly lean in favor of Italian cuisine my name being Gianni Truvianni.

3 Entertainment is also something we might consider but this should come in the form of something that allows for intimate contact and by this I mean not activities of an outdoor nature but of another. Watching a film of a romantic temperament while cuddling on a loveseat. Many people have diverse believes as to what romantic films are and it would not be for me to say if they are right or otherwise with regards to their believes. Nonetheless my emotions tell me that films which I would label as romantic are those that make us long with all our being to see those who the screen has placed in front of us end up happily in love, though this may actually not occur in the scenario that we should be the recipients of a "sad ending" as opposed to a happy one. As a personal recommendation (me being the author of a book entitled "New York's Opera Society") why not substitute a film with a passionate opera such as "La Traviata" or "La Boheme". It is these anecdotes though tragic in finale to the point of creating tears in those of sensitivity that may actually liven spirits by allowing us to contrast them to our own reality which hopefully will not match the heartbreak of "Aida". Passion let us never forget means suffering so to men who in my outlook be truly gallant then let me suggest that they through embraces and other forms of physical stimuli be the ones to alleviate the distress in their lady companions that opera may have induced.

Entertainment also need not by necessity be limited to the home. After all many are the places where we may take that special someone for instance restaurants after which our day might end with an interlude in our chambers of sleep. For my own however I would not have the soiree conclude after dinning and would extend it to include attending the opera where we see true romance as might not be witnessed elsewhere.

4 Our attire for this day like all else should be set on pleasing the one who does likewise for us so with regards to this I leave it up to each couple to decide what they wish that certain someone to see them in. As for myself however I have always preferred the elegant touch when the subject be clothing. This elegance manifesting itself in the form of a suit that allows us men to display not only the finer features of our physique but also the gentler side of our qualities and though most ladies will not say. We who are of an observant nature will notice their reaction when our look be aided by the grandeur of graceful attire.

5 In all this advise I leave this for last precisely because it is not least but most. It being if we allow our inner feelings for that one we cherish to take over our deeds on this day then all the above suggestions will take on a higher tonality of sentiments in our hearts.

My name is Gianni Truvianni, I am an author who writes with the simple aim of sharing his ideas, thoughts and so much more of what I am with those who are interested in perhaps reading something new. As for the details regarding my life I would say that there is nothing that lifts them above the ordinary. I was born in New York City in 1967 on May 21st and am presently living in Warsaw, Poland where I wrote my first book "New York's Opera Society" now Available on Amazon.

VALENTINE / LOVE

Celebrated on February 14 every year, Saint Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day is the traditional day on which lovers convey their love to each other by sending Valentine's cards, sometimes even anonymously. The most common feature of Valentines Day these days is the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines". Popular Valentine symbols of modern times include the heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, mass produced greeting cards have largely replaced handwritten notes. It is believed that nearly one billion Valentines Day cards are sent each year worldwide, making it only the second largest card-sending holiday next to Christmas. Women are believed to purchase approximately 85 percent of all "valentines".

Stories of many Valentines

Opinions differ about who St Valentine was. Early martyrologies mention at least three St Valentines under the date of 14 February. One is a priest at Rome, another a Bishop of Interamna (now Terni in Italy) and the other lived and died in Africa. Many, however, are of the opinion that the first two are the same person.

It is, however, widely believed that Valentine's Day has perhaps originated from the ancient Roman feast of Lupercalia. A festival was held on February 15 in honor of one of their gods Lupercus, who was called upon by the Romans to ward off the threats of those fierce wolves that roamed the adjacent forests. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia, a love lottery was organized in which the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man then drew a slip and the girl whose name he picked up was to be his sweetheart for the year.

The holiday subsequently became Valentine's Day after a priest named Valentine. At that time when Christianity was still a new religion, Valentine was a priest in Rome. The then Emperor Claudius II, had issued an order forbidding the Roman soldiers to marry or become engaged. The emperor believed that once they got married, his soldiers would want to stay home rather than fight his wars. Valentine defied the Emperor's decree and secretly married the young couples. He was finally arrested, imprisoned, and beheaded on February 14, the eve of Lupercalia. Valentine was posthumously named a saint. As Christianity grew stronger in Rome, the priests moved the Lupercalia or spring holiday from February 15 to February 14, i.e., Valentine's Day. Since then the holiday began honoring Saint Valentine instead of Lupercus.

"From your Valentine"

According to another story, Valentine was one of the early Christians who was seized and dragged before the Prefect of Rome and jailed for helping some Christian martyrs. He cured the jailor's daughter of blindness while in jail. When the emperor learned of this miracle he ordered the beheading of Valentine. Valentine is said to have sent the jailor's daughter a farewell message signed, "From your Valentine".

In 1969, as part of a larger effort to reduce the number of saint days of purely legendary origin, the Church removed St. Valentine's Day as an official holiday from its calendar. At present, February 14 is dedicated only to Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius.

This article is written by Arindam Bose for It is a free article and can be used by any webmaster on their website, provided they will keep the link intact with the article ( for sending Valentine's Day greeting cards to loved and near and dear ones, please check out this page ).

With life's pace quickening everyday, people are looking to escape from the rat race and relax to rejuvenate their body. For life to be revitalising, it is necessary to have a good flow of life force energy in your home to welcome your valentine or "your beloved one". You can get good energy in your love and life by just making a few changes in your room.

Did you know that Red Roses with thorns are not a happy ending sign if you were to give them to your loved ones? The colour red, unless it is used in marriage, represents bleeding. Red roses with thorns are even more undesirable; thorns represent hardship, so avoid sending your loved ones. In fact, pink, yellow, peach or cream roses (with thorns removed) are wonderful symbols associated with young love!

Did you know that you could face the right direction and find the right love? When using Feng Shui, you can find your sweetheart by sitting in the right direction. Everyone has a personal love (Nien Yen) direction depending on the date they were born. According to the Feng Shui 8 Mansions Formula, each person's personal Nien Yen reaction brings them happiness and good luck associated with marriage and matriarchal presence.

For men, the Nien Yen direction helps you attract a good and gentle wife who will bear you many sons and take care of your parents. For women, the Nien Yen direction brings you more opportunities to establish yourself as the loved wife of a household, and attract a man who will bring you happiness and prosperity through marriage. So if you've managed to ask someone special out for a dinner date, make sure you're sitting and facing your Nien Yen direction to maximize your Feng Shui luck for happiness! Who knows? the man you dating sitting in the right direction might be the one you have been looking for!

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? Did you know that mirrors in the bedroom are the most effective tools to destroy the relationship? Mirrors in the bedroom are really not advised for any type of relationship whether you're starting out or reliving a romance especially if you're pretty serious about this person! Mirrors are often said to reflect a third party in the relationship. Mirrors represent another person always coming in between two people. This often means an extra-marital affair but sometimes the third person can be anyone such as a discouraging relative etc? Ever heard of "Two's Company, Three's a crowd! So remove your mirrors, hide them or cover them up!

And remember to hold on to your Valentine's love. Always have everything displayed in your home in pairs; a pair of love birds or a pair of love ducks. Ever heard of 'Love comes in pairs, single comes in despair'? Make your loved one feel welcome by removing all solitude figures and all lonely pictures of a man or woman. Have fresh flowers in your love and relationship corner (Southwest), and clean out your closets to make room for your significant other to enter into your life.

Once you've created peace and harmony in your home with the changes mentioned above, that will nourish your body, mind, heart and spirit, you can have a Valentine's Day for all 365 days of the year!!

Michael Douglas is a relationship expert and he owns a website Love-L where he offers healthy relationship advice for relationship problems and provides tips to bring in more love, passion and harmony into one's love life and relationships.

If you're reading this article, you're probably a gift-phobic guy, or at least "gift challenged". Not sure? Try this quiz to find out:

• Have you missed your partner's birthday?

• Have you missed your anniversary?

• Did you forget at least one Valentine's Day?

• How about Mother's Day?

• Do you give the same type of gift year after year?

• Do you avoid shopping for your partner until the last minute?

• Do you feel anxiety when your partner opens her present?

If you answered "yes" to more than three of the questions, you need a little help in the gift-giving department. Listen, it's perfectly understandable. After all, it's not like they offered a class in how to buy for your girlfriend or wife in college.

The most important thing is to let go of past gift-giving disasters. While you're at it, let go of the anxiety too. The following three gift-giving tips will help you do just that. If you follow them, you will be a pro in no time.

1. Have Her Make a "Life List". A Life List is a list of experiences you would like to have in your lifetime. It might be something as grand as traveling to India, or something as simple as learning to make sushi. This tip has a bonus benefit: your partner will be so thrilled that you asked her to make a Life List with you, she will be in a good mood for days. And you just might get closer in the process. Remember, you need to make the list too!

Now that you know what her ultimate dreams and secret desires are, you can use the list for clues as to what she might like to receive for a gift. Of course, you could just go all out and make it happen by actually taking her to India, or signing her up for Japanese cooking class. But you could also use the things on her list as inspiration.

For example, you might give her a beautiful photography book on India so she can imagine she is there, or a travel guidebook so she can plan her trip. A sushi-making video or a night out at a famous sushi restaurant would also be fun ideas that will show her you are paying attention. That is the key to great gift giving. Being thoughtful.

2. Ask Her Best Friend. If anyone knows what your partner wants more than anything else, it's her best friend. Give her pal a call (email is too informal), and ask for ideas. Phrase your request something like this: "I would really love to get ____ something she really wants, but doesn't think is practical and so she might not have mentioned it to me. Do you have an idea of anything she is really pining for?"

Of course you can put it in your words, but the idea is to show her best friend that you want to do something special, and to make sure he or she knows you are not trying to pump them for information because you're stumped!

If you do use one of the ideas her best friend gives you, send a thank you note (they're in the greeting card aisle) with a short message. No need to call again, and stay away from meeting to discuss the gift before and after. You don't want to make your partner nervous or jealous.

3. When in Doubt, Pamper Her. A surefire way to make your partner happy on any occasion is to give her the gift of relaxation. Women today are overloaded with responsibilities and rarely have time for some much needed pampering.

If you know which high-end bath products your wife covets, go ahead and purchase a basket of goodies for her. If not, don't try to guess. Scents are very personal, and you want her to be able to use what you give her right away.

If you aren't sure what to buy, go the spa route. Do a search online for day spas in your area. Not a Google or Yellow Pages search, because that just gives you contact information. Instead, go to your local newspaper or magazine's website and search for a top ten list or "best of" list which includes spas.

Book a half-day or full-day spa experience, which allows her to choose from various treatments. Let her schedule the day she will attend, and if the two of you have children, promise to take them out for the day.

When you give your partner a gift of a day spa experience, make sure you choose at least one of the treatments for her. It will make her feel as though you are giving her the treatment yourself. Ask her about it later, so that she knows you were paying attention.

By following these three simple strategies, you will rise to the level of gift-giving dynamo in no time. Soon, instead of teasing you about your gift phobia, your partner will be bragging about the wonderful, thoughtful gifts she receives from you. You could stand that, right?

Karen Fusco is co-founder of SilkB which supports Busy Moms with free gift ideas and helpful tips to meet the challenges of motherhood. She is also co-founder of WellnessA , a directory of articles covering many areas of wellness. Karen can be reached directly at: karen@SilkB

This Valentine's Day, millions of couples will feel the heat-a burning passion from cooking up something sensuous to share with their love.

Couples can find out which foods really sizzle with the new, 10th anniversary edition of a smash-hit cookbook. "InterCourses: an aphrodisiac cookbook" (Terrace Publishing) features 145 couple-tested recipes, including 65 entirely new romantic recipes in the anniversary edition. It'll be a hot time in the kitchen tonight when recipes meet romance, for a different kind of fire that can melt the coldest winter.

Organized by aphrodisiacs, the book covers 19 sensual foods ranging from traditional favorites such as oysters and strawberries, to lesser-known, but just as potent ones, such as pine nuts and asparagus. Intimate, yet playful, the "InterCourses" approach to cooking livens up relationships, whether just starting out or 50 years in the making. Here's an example:

Baked Artichoke and Crab Dip

Yields 2 to 3 servings

Consider this elegant alternative to chips and queso-its creamy warmth is a sure recipe for romance.

1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for greasing

1 small green bell pepper, chopped

1 can (14 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained and finely chopped

1 pickled jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions

1/4 cup chopped pimiento

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Juice of 1 small lemon

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon celery salt

1/2 pound crab meat, picked over for bits of shell

1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Preheat oven to 375° F and grease a 6x9-inch baking dish. Set a small skillet over medium heat. Add the oil and sauté the bell pepper until tender.

Combine artichokes, jalapeño, mayonnaise, scallions, pimiento, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt and sautéed bell pepper in a large bowl. Fold in crab meat. Place mixture in baking dish and sprinkle with almonds. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Serve with tricolored tortilla chips.

With recipes for romance, a popular cookbook really helps couples turn up the heat.

Roses, daffodils, tulips, violets, chrysanthemums. The perfect way to melt the heart of every woman in your life is with flowers. Flowers touch that special place inside of every woman and lets them know that you care. Whether it is your wife, girlfriend, or mom, flowers speak the universal language of affection and appreciation. Sending flowers is a tangible way to show your love and regard.

In this day and age, there are many ways to give flowers to the woman in your life and the Chicago area is a wonderful hub of different options. No matter your style or budget, you can send flowers to the woman you love. Flowers can be found in arrangements or can be purchased singly. Baskets and bouquets are other ways to express how you feel to that special woman. You can combine flowers with candy or balloons to create a unique arrangement. Flower arrangements come a rainbow of colors and styles.

If the internet purchases are your style then there are a number of options available. Search for your favorite florist and flowers for that special woman are right at your fingertips. It couldn't be easier. Make your selection from a huge variety of options and then have them delivered right to that special lady's door. Here in Chicago where our lives are hectic and time is short, delivery is often the best option. Just a few moments at your computer and you can let the women in your life know that you care.

Each of online flower shops offer you a variety of convenient options. You can choose from a variety of arrangements or design one yourself. Each flower arrangement can be personalized with a note that shows you care.

What variety of flower should you send? Each flower has a symbolic meaning. You can send one specific kind of flower or create a bouquet that shows an array of feelings. For you mom, you might give Larkspur, which symbolizes laughter or perhaps Daffodils, which symbolize regard. For a new relationship, Lilacs represent first love and Violets stand for affection. If you wish to honor your wife, you might choose Blue Violets, which are a symbol of faithfulness or Red and White Roses, which represent unity.

Flowers truly are the way to a woman's heart. Tell your girlfriend you care, let your wife know how much she means to you; thank your mom for all her years of care. Sending flowers is an easy and heartfelt way to express your feelings for that special woman in your life.

Muzrak Maksidov runs the website which is provide information related to flowers. This article may be reprinted as long as the resource box is left intact and link is hyperlinked.

So what can you do to celebrate this Valentine's Day? With the right intention, a few simple ingredients and a little effort, you will be richly rewarded as you express your true devotion to the one you love. I have been working with Aromatherapy Essential Oils for many years, so I'm very familiar with creating the right romantic setting that will make that magical space in your own home a rewarding experience.

To get the right ambiance, start by lighting some candles in your favourite room and play some relaxing music that you both like. The setting is not complete without the subtle effect of aroma. The sense of smell is one of the subtlest and oldest ways of communicating that we possess, the mechanism of which still remains a mystery today. Creating the desired mood with essential oils has been around for centuries. In fact, the Ancient Egyptians made aromatherapy a way of life with the use of perfumed oils, scented barks and resins being recorded as far back as 4500BC. Perfumes were used by lovers to heighten the forces of attraction that existed between them. According to history, Cleopatra wooed Antony by ordering that her bedroom be carpeted an inch deep in rose petals. Imagine that!!

Now to create your romantic ritual…. Place either a single essential oil or blend in your aromatherapy burner with a tea light beneath. (I prefer to use an essential oil burner with a deep bowl so that it takes longer to diffuse without overheating and drying out).

For a 'sensual interlude' add 1 drop of orange, 2 drops ylang ylang and 3 drops frankincense to your burner. Around 5 to 6 drops is enough. Orange is a joyful and playful scent that blends well with the sweet, heady fragrance of ylang ylang. With the added connection that frankincense gives to heighten your senses you will be well on your way to enjoying a sensually euphoric evening!!

For the true romantic, rose helps us feel more deeply. It is a gentle aphrodisiac with a spiritual quality that you may use on its own or in a blend. Or if you're feeling a little more bold try Jasmine, a wonderful oil that brings with it the rare qualities of strength and softness, yin and yang , making it a powerful aphrodisiac!

So this Valentine's Day open your heart to love and romance by embracing the gentle art of Aromatherapy and add some essential oils into your life!

Angela Power has a background spanning 25 years as a health professional profiling a career in medical nursing for over 15 years and as a Natural Therapist since 1988. She is renowned for her ability to provide knowledge through her real life experiences & her website, Aromatherapy and Essential Oils at the Garden Apothecary provides information on the benefits of aromatherapy and the therapeutic use of essential oils.