| Valentine's Day is a day for romance. Traditionally | | | | message or their pet-name to a mug or teapot. |
| a day when we hope to receive cards, flowers | | | | It is traditional to give your partners gifts for |
| and maybe a gift from those that we love or | | | | Valentine's but it's also a nice gesture to show |
| admire. Cards are usually given anonymously. It's | | | | your other loved ones how you feel about them |
| great fun to try and disguise your token of | | | | on this special day. Secret cards to confuse your |
| appreciation and maddening trying to work out | | | | children (my grandfather always used to send me |
| who the sender of your's is. It is always a thrill to | | | | a card from whoever my love of the moment |
| receive a Valentine from someone we have | | | | was be it David Cassidy or David Soul). |
| feelings for, particularly if it is a new potential | | | | Anonymous cards to friends, but with a clue that |
| relationship. | | | | it might be from their best friend so that their |
| The story goes that in the 3rd century St | | | | hopes aren't raised too much, nobody wants to |
| Valentine married a couple in secret at a time | | | | be cruel. |
| when it was banned by Emporer Cladius 11. For | | | | Surprise someone |
| this he was sentenced to death and while in prison | | | | I know we show our appreciation on Mother's and |
| he fell in love with the jailer's blind daughter | | | | Father's Day but still, particularly if people are on |
| (allegedly the power of his love restored her | | | | their own, it's nice to feel that you are loved - |
| sight). Just before he died he sent her a message | | | | send flowers to your mum or an "I Love You" |
| signed "from your Valentine". | | | | mug to your dad. They won't expect it and will be |
| Gifts for your loved ones | | | | thrilled to be thought of. |
| Long-established symbols of love are hearts, red | | | | Restaurants are always packed on Valentine's |
| roses and kisses and traditional gifts of flowers, | | | | Day - full of little tables for two. Your favourite |
| chocolates and perfume are given at Valentines. | | | | local never feels the same on this night. If you |
| Heart shaped gifts or items decorated with | | | | are determined to go out together for a romantic |
| Hearts are also popular. If you've been with your | | | | meal why not try something different. What |
| sweetheart for some time then you may be past | | | | about a picnic (I know it's winter) but if it's a |
| flowers and chocolate and need inspiration for a | | | | bright, dry day nothing could be nicer. You could |
| more original gift. Heart shaped pottery or | | | | take hot chicken or sausages, flasks of soup and |
| pottery decorated with hearts would be a | | | | a bottle of red wine. Find a sheltered spot |
| long-lasting token. Your partner would think of you | | | | somewhere beautiful and tuck in. You can always |
| each morning as he or she sipped their morning | | | | drop into the local pub for something warming |
| tea from their Heart covered mug or serve a | | | | once you've had your lunch. |
| romantic breakfast in bed on Hearts pottery. You | | | | Whatever you do for Valentines Day do it with |
| could fill a jug with flowers or add a personal | | | | the ones you love. |