The very first Valentine’s Day began in the year 496. It’s an old tradition believed to have its origins from a Roman festival. Romans had a festival called Lupercalia in the middle of February, official start of their springtime. Valentine’s got its name from a famous saint, but there are many other stories of who he really was. The most believed is that St Valentine was a priest from Rome in third century AD. There are many different kinds of love and different ways to celebrate valentines. As a child my mom would always give my sister and I chocolates for Valentine’s Day. In return my sister and I would make our mom a handmade card. I always looked forward to Valentine’s Day every year. |
Gifting that special someone on Valentine’s Day can be difficult, with so many choices. Like my mom would do for my sister and I every year, I have an idea that would make a great gift if you have a daughter. You could get mommy and me matching leggings. Leggings are popular with all ages for their comfort and style. Having a matching pair of leggings is sure to put a smile on your daughters face. A great place to find leggings are at nimbustights.com. You can also find great leggings at most retail stores.
Some people like to gift their pets valentine treats also. Here is a recipe my friend Chantal Rogers makes for her dog. The treats are shaped into hearts and bones, and wrapped up pretty. She also gives them to friends who also have dogs. She was kind enough to share one of her doggie treat recipes with us. This recipe is peanut butter banana dog cookies. Take one very ripe banana mashed, three heaping tablespoons of natural peanut butter (only peanuts should be in the ingredients), one egg, and one cup of brown rice flower. Then mix and add more flour if needed (or a tsp of water if too dry). Roll out using rice flour and bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 300. Roll out to about 1/8-1/4 inch using your favorite cookie cutters. If they are thicker they may take longer to bake. The baking time of 40 minutes depends on if you want them to be crispy once cooled. Chantal was also kind enough to show us photos of the cookies once they are made, and how she wraps them up as gifts.
If you are looking for ideas to surprise that special love in your life here are some suggestions. Bring them breakfast in bed, you could do a cup of hot chocolate with a little whip cream on top, some heart shaped cookies, one of her favourite flowers, and a bowl of cut up fresh fruit. You could also make a beautiful homemade dinner at home, with dipped strawberries in chocolate for desert. A unique gift would be from edible arrangements. They take fruits of your choice and cut them into shapes and dip them in chocolate. Jewelry is always a popular gift, and handmade jewellery is extra special. Feltnlove makes beautiful handmade jewellery like an amethyst and pink agate bracelet with amethyst heart, and a burly wood with sea sediment jasper and agate bead bracelet. Vivienfrank has beautiful choices also; these are just a few samples. A personalized simple 14k gold charm necklace, the necklace is made of leather. They also have initial necklace two charms, you could have your initial and her initial stamped on the charms. There pave diamond stud earrings are sure to make her smile. They are 14k solid gold, 0.10 carats, and 34 tiny diamonds. If you are looking for a simple gift a journal is always a nice gift, and you can find them in most book stores like chapters. I hope everyone has a beautiful valentine’s day, with whoever you share the day with. Isn’t that what counts the most, spending the day with the one or one’s you love.
Written by Patricia Roy
Couple photo by Tim Bear (Modelemi Agency) showing models Celsie Chadwick and Brady Good
Written by Patricia Roy
Couple photo by Tim Bear (Modelemi Agency) showing models Celsie Chadwick and Brady Good