Sunday, January 23, 2011

Valentine's Day


Valentine’s Day is a day for spreading love.

Of course the first thing that springs to mind is the legend of St Valentine. One story version contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome.

When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

For some Valentine’s Day is seen as purely commercialised, but as I only got married in my thirties, I have had a good few years of dating and my honest opinion is that the most unromantic people complain the most about Valentine’s Day.

I find for the large part that men and women who are generally romantic welcome this special day.

Of course the feeling that Valentine’s Day is commercial also is shared by those who do not plan.

Yes, roses are far more expensive on Valentine’s Day. But there is no rule that it has to be red roses. For those who have not planned of course you will be paying through your nose on Valentine’s Day. It is a simply supply and demand marketing technique used by an company at seasonal time such as Valentine’s Day, Easter, Christmas etc.

Why not buy a digital photo frame and add your favourite couple photos before the Valentine’s Day. A less extravagant gift is a photo frame with your favourite couple photo.

Have a candle lit bath, with pink champagne and pink candles and soft music in the background.

On rare occasions when we have a home based Valentine’s Day, my husband treats me to a scented massage, a glorious candle lit bath and him home made lasagne. He really makes the yummiest lasagne, so I am always tickled pink when he makes it, because I know that it is a time consuming dish.

But if you cannot make your own, guys can easily get a tray from Woolworths and heat it in the oven.
For Corporate add to your staff’s romanticism, but getting champagne glasses for the staff and a bottle of Champagne to enjoy on their own dates. Other great desk drops are Small black chiffon bag filled with pink/ black jelly beans with small single sided card luxurious foam bath. Photo frames are also a great give away. Some people use pens as Valentine’s Day desk drops.

Valentine’s Day for corporate is about showing your staff that you value them and that your recognise that when people come to work they are still people, full of the vast spectrum of emotions of which one of them is love.

Enjoy the day and make a point of treating your loved ones and staff of Valentine’s Day.