If you’ve been married for a few years, chances are Valentine’s Day isn’t what it used to be. Fresh ideas don’t seem so fresh… Instead of a dozen roses you’d rather get a dozen more hours of sleep. A stuffed bear? It’s just one more thing to wash. Chocolate? Well… a girl can never get enough chocolate.

Whether you’ve been married two or twenty years, at one time or another you and your partner will go through one (or a few) lulls. The emotional down doesn’t have to last, however, and the perfect time to get the ball rolling again is Valentine’s Day. Sometimes the regular restaurant date can seem more like a chore than an actual date, so choose something that’s out of the ordinary, perhaps something you and your spouse have never done before. Here are a few ideas that will inspire you to make this Valentine’s Day one to remember.

Spend only $20 EACH on gifts.

Who says Valentine’s Day gifts have to cost an arm and a leg? When you and your spouse set price limits on gifts for each other, you take any stressful questions out of the equation. Rather than wondering “Did I spend too much?” or “Is this enough?” you can actually concentrate on spending time together. If you really want to take the romantic factor up a notch, make handmade gifts and cards for each other, spending no money and using only materials from around the house. Have glass jars or old soup cans in the kitchen cabinet just waiting to be used for craft projects? Decorate a jar or can and fill it up with handwritten describing your favorite memories together. Have your husband take each piece of paper out one by one and read it aloud. By talking about the good times, you’ll both remember the little reasons why you love each other and why you both work to make your marriage strong.

Get your adrenaline pumping–together.

If your love life is in need of a boost, doing a physical activity together on Valentine‘s Day may be the perfect option for you and your man. Studies show that engaging in an adrenaline-pumping activity can lead to arousal and reignite the spark typically found in young relationships. Whether it’s rock climbing or salsa dancing, you and your partner will get some much needed one-on-one time that’s sure to lead to more intimate time later.

Reminisce about and recreate your favorite date.

Some of your fondest memories of your relationship probably happened at the beginning. After all, there’s nothing quite like the butterflies of happiness, excitement, and fear you experience when you’re in love. Those heightened emotions aren’t only reserved for young relationships, however. Fall for your husband over again by recreating your favorite date, including everything from the clothes you were wearing to the conversation. If your favorite date occurred at a cute little restaurant, do the date sans the restaurant. The conversation, not the spaghetti and meatballs, was probably the best part anyway.

Separated on Valentine’s Day? Make a care package.

If you’re in a long term relationship, chances are you’ve been separated from your significant other on a least at one Valentine’s Day. Sure, you can schedule a date the next weekend but not why do a little something extra too? Send your hubby a care package to let him know that you’re thinking about him and what he can expect when you see each other again. If you’re traveling for your job, send a cute souvenir from the city where you’re working along with a handwritten letter. If your husband is the one away, send him a box full of candies, chocolate, and whatever else you can dream up. Make sure to check with his hotel for any special directions or restrictions when sending packages.

The post 4 Valentine’s Day Date Alternatives that Don’t Involve a Restaurant appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Amy Leibrock, Contributor for Care.com

Valentine’s Day is almost here. Have you made your restaurant reservation, made heart-shaped treats for the kids, bought a romantic gift for your honey, picked out a sexy outfit and booked a sitter? Whew…and all this is for what? To end the night at a crowded restaurant where they hike up the prices in the name of romance?

If your typical Valentine’s Day plans lead to overspending and disappointment, keep reading before you throw in the towel completely. Parents these days need to use every excuse they can find to carve out a little couple time. So keep the sitter, ditch the dinner reservation and try one of these fun ideas that won’t break the bank.

And check out these tips for spending time together all year long: 10 Ways Parents Can Find Alone Time »

1. Skip dinner. Well, you can still eat dinner, but save money by making a meal at home and going out just for dessert. Even if you choose the best restaurant in town, chances will be greater that you can score a reservation later in the evening. Or just savor your sweets with your sweetie at the bar.

2. Play hooky from work. Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday in 2015, but there’s nothing saying you can’t play hooky the Friday before! If you already have a nanny for the kids while you’re at work, take the day off — or even just the afternoon — and spend it reliving your carefree, pre-parent days with your partner. Linger at a coffee shop, visit a free museum or take in a romantic comedy at matinee prices — holding hands, of course. Or check out that fancy restaurant’s cheaper lunchtime menu.

3. Dance in the living room. Make a mix of songs from the milestone years in your relationship: when you met, got engaged, tied the knot, etc. Once the kids are snoozing, pop open some wine and pop in the mix. Take it up a notch by dressing up like you’re going out dancing.

4. Go low-tech. Sometimes something as simple as turning off technology can help you tune in to your relationship. Once the kids are in bed, light some candles or start a fire and play a board game, cook together or just talk. No phones, no TV, no computer — just you and your honey.

5. Take a walk. Whether it’s a nature trail or cute part of town, hold hands (or link arms) and go for a stroll. Talk about your past year’s highlights and your fun ideas for the year ahead. Reminisce about your first Valentine’s Day together and how far you’ve come. Warm up with a drink at a bar or a cup of cocoa at home — and a kiss.

6. Write a love poem. This is an especially great idea if you don’t consider yourself a writer, because your partner won’t expect it. For help, check out this step-by-step poem tutorial. Write from your heart and your partner will love it, even if the poem ends up more silly than serious.

If you’d rather leave the composing to the pros, here’s a sweet idea from Sherry A. Sims, a national breast cancer advocate in Tulsa, Oklahoma: “On Valentine’s Day when money was tight, my husband and I would meet in the greeting card department of our local grocery store. After reading various Valentine’s Day cards, we’d ‘give’ the ones we liked best to each other,” she says. “This activity gave us the ability to express our deepest feelings for one another — without spending a dime. Plus, it gave us a way to communicate during a difficult time — without ever saying a word.”

7. Get married all over again. If you really want to have fun, check to see if your city is holding a group wedding or vow renewal ceremony. (A quick Internet search turned up group weddings planned in New Jersey, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida.) These ceremonies are usually inexpensive or even free, and some even have sponsors and the chance to win prizes.

8. Recreate your first date. Whether it was roller skating, taking your dogs for a walk or going to dinner and a movie, go on a retro date. Rent that movie and cook what you both ate, book a sitter and take the dogs for a long stroll or find a roller rink. There’ll be small fees for admission, but the nostalgia will be worth it.

The post 8 Free (or Almost Free) Valentine’s Day Ideas appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Some people consider Valentine’s Day a stressful holiday that forces romantic gestures.  I’d rather look at it as an opportunity to celebrate the reason my wife and I got married in the first place.  We may have busy schedules, the kids still need to be tucked into bed and we may not have a babysitter to head out on a dinner date, but we can always find a few minutes in the craziness of life to take time out for each other.  And sometimes the most inexpensive, meaningful ideas are the best and most appreciated.  Here are a few of the ideas I’ve used over the years:

1.    A Picnic Perfect Evening.  Once the kids are tucked safely in bed, lay out blanket (in front of the fire place gets you extra credit), put on the Barry White or Sade, dig out the champagne glasses (even if you’re having water), set the mood with some candles, and enjoy dinner picnic style.  It can be as simple as a pizza.

2.    Inexpensive and Fun Win.  A game of bowling with a couple of beers or putt-putt golf are always good for a few laughs together.  You can even surprise him by going sledding (it’s not just for kids!) or taking in a local basketball or hockey game.  These ideas are all inexpensive and put a little fun into your relationship.

3.    Skip the Card, Go for The Post-It Note.  Yes, that’s right, Post-It Notes.  But not one or two, I’m talking about a house filled with them.  Give her all the reasons you love her.  Stick them the bathroom mirror, on her pillow, on the back of the front door, and on the coffee pot.  The idea may seem small but the sentiment is huge.

4.    Be Unconventional.  No one ever said that Valentine’s Day had to be celebrated ON Valentine’s Day.  Celebrate the day before or the day after. Or take the morning off work and take the kids to school, then head to brunch with your significant other. 

5.    Bring Back the “Mixed Tape.”  Remember when you were dating and you’d create a mixed tape or cd filled with your favorite songs together?  Whip up this old time favorite for your beloved this Valentine’s Day by uploading your favorite songs to her iPod or MP4 player.  Don’t forget to include a song you danced to at your wedding!

6.    Recreate Your First Date or the Night You Met.  Unless your first date was an out-of-control frat party, this idea will be a real memory maker.  Bring back as many things from your first date as possible, from the food, to the friends you were with, to the movie you watched, or the sporting event you attended.  You may have to improvise a bit but the effort behind it will win you a lot of points with your loved one.

7.    Movie Marathon Night.  Visit the library or movie rental spot and pick-up his/her favorites, a movie from when you first started dating, or one that is your favorite together.  Pop some popcorn, make up some hot toddy’s or hot chocolate and cuddle up for a movie marathon.

8.    Book His and Hers Massages.  Make an appointment for the two of you to get massages together at a local spa or massage school that offers discounted services.  You probably won’t be in the same room but think how appreciated this gesture will be and how relaxed you’ll both be when you emerge an hour later!

9.    No Reservation, No Problem.  Tuck the little ones in and invite your lady love to dinner at Chez Husband instead.  Plan a menu around her favorite foods and whip up a romantic dinner at home.  The dinner can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it.  Light candles, pour a couple glasses of wine, relax, and chat the evening away.  Tipping is appreciated, but not required.

10. Document Your Life Together.  Do you have tons of pictures of the two of you sitting on your desktop?  Find a site like One True Media and create a video montage for your favorite someone.  You can make a stunning gift that will be hard to beat next year.  Simply upload your favorite digital photos, pick a couple of great songs, and there you’ll have it.  I can almost guarantee this one will bring a few tears, hugs, and kisses.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Daddy Nickell

Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 7, offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents.  Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddy & Co., delivery room duds and daddy gifts and apparel, and the Daddy & Co. blog where he covers topics about parenting all from a Dad’s perspective.

The post Spark a Creative Romance this Valentine’s Day appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Perhaps more than any other celebrated “holiday,” Valentine’s Day draws a deep divide between many people. There are those who could care less about the day, such as my boss, who, happily married, places no value on a single “love” day as she believes that everyday should be Valentine’s Day. Then there are those who genuinely despise the day as nothing more than the commercialization of love, a way for big business to make a quick dollar off of people. And of course there are those blessed souls who absolutely adore the day, such as various co-workers of mine who dress up in pink and red while handing out candy and cards to staff members.

However you feel about Valentine’s Day, one of the great things to remember is that there are no set rules for celebrating it; the day is left to manifest itself in whatever way we choose to. I think that this single fact alone is worth giving Valentine’s Day its due!

Moreover, if there are no set rules for the day then we have all the freedom in the world to make Valentine’s Day an experience like none other. This experience often includes travel to a favorite or fancy restaurant, or even a trip away for a few days. 

As far as travel is concerned, when paired with a simple plan and a mindset for fun, a unique Valentine’s Day adventure – an adventure off the beaten path – is the perfect way to spend time together and reinforce the love and affection that the day is meant to inspire within us!

So without further ado, here are two unique ways to make this Valentine’s Day a fun and romantic success!

Take a Trip off the Beaten Path, Literally!

• No one will deny that places like the Las Vegas strip are teeming with energy. And yes they are vibrantly situated in the thick of it all for couples that wish to be overwhelmed by sights, sounds and senses! However, one simple way of having your cake and eating it too is by booking your lodgings away from the major attractions of the city. To use Las Vegas as an example, The Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa (https://redrock.sclv.com/) has the honor of being awarded four diamonds; it is situated near the entrance to Red Rock Canyon National Recreation area. And though the prestigious resort is intimately located off of the Las Vegas strip, it is still only a short drive away from all the nightlife that Las Vegas offers. 

Keep Things Simple, Really Simple!

• With all of the hype that Valentine’s Day has generated, perhaps the biggest industry to benefit is the food/restaurant industry. Instead of making reservations months in advance or waiting for hours for a table on Valentine’s Day, keep things simple! And nothing says ‘simple’ than an intimate dinner for two at home. Throw in a movie and dessert and you have a date night that smacks of nostalgia! I remember the Valentine’s Day I spent last year with my girlfriend. I traveled to my local supermarket and purchased heart-shaped steaks. We made a few side dishes and, with a great bottle of wine, had one of the best nights due to the fact that we kept is simple. We watched a movie and baked brownies for dessert. It was a trip down memory lane, and it was perfect, simply perfect!

So remember, at the end of the day the two most important things, you and your loved one, are what matter! Whatever you decide, make it unique and fun and have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

The post Unique Destinations for a Romantic Valentine’s Day appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and it’s the perfect time to do something you love. Whether it’s a cozy night in with that special someone or a night on the town with the girls, find out how to make this Valentine’s one to remember!

The Perfect Look

If you’re going out, ditch your normal makeup regimen and go for something adventurous and flat out sexy.

Eyes

The Love in Paris collection by NYX is perfect for creating a sultry smokey eye. With different colorway palettes (all at $10!) you can go subtle or turn the intensity all the way up. For a Valentine’s Day switch, try substituting your usual grey toned smokey eye for a color based one. All you have to do is pick a color, say purple, and use those the darker purple tones along the crease and the lighter ones across the lid. Voilá!

Lips

Let your lips be the center of attention. Mineral Fusion has a line of lip products that are all natural, hypoallergenic, and gluten-free. With lipsticks, lip pencils, and two types of gloss, you can create an impeccable pout or a bold statement lip. Both lip-gloss styles are infused with Sunflower Seed Oil and Vitamin E so you don’t have to choose between moisture and color. Whichever you choose, you’re sure to achieve a flawless finish.  

Lashes

Your lashes can pull together any look and draw your partner right in. For a boost in length and volume, try Mary Kay’s Lash Love Mascara. It separates lashes evenly so you avoid getting that spider legs look and also comes in green and plum in addition to the usual black and brown. In the end, you will have lashes you absolutely love!

Ideas You Both Will Love

Stay home and make dinner together. Whether you whip up something simple like a homemade pizza or spend hours concocting an extravagant three-course meal, cook and enjoy the dinner together. After all, enjoying each other’s company is what Valentine’s Day is meant for. It saves money rather than eating out at a restaurant, and you’ll be able to have intimate quality time bonding with each other.
 
Exchange homemade gifts. Homemade doesn’t have to be lame. You can make anything from homemade beer and desserts, to ceramics, blankets, scrapbooks and more. Print out photos from your early years and make a picture collage for her. Don’t assume a homemade gift isn’t worth the time, for you’ll find it will be the most appreciated and thoughtful gift you give your significant other.
 
Write your sweetheart a letter. Remind them of all the quirks you love about them. Not only women are charmed by love notes. Even the studliest and most masculine of men will get mushy over an old-fashioned love letter written from the soul.
 
Repeat a date that was special to you. If you’ve been together for a long time, recreate that special night he proposed, or the moment you realized you were falling in love and take them to that special place. Get reservations at the same restaurant, rent the same movie and try to rekindle that initial puppy love and raw infatuation.
 
Start a new tradition. Pick that new Japanese restaurant you’ve wanted to try and declare it your new go-to sushi spot for Valentine’s Day. Take a walk at the pier and gaze at the ocean, or grab ice cream and catch an old drive-in movie. With a new relationship comes exciting new traditions, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to start making memories with your sweetheart.
 

www.Brilliance.com

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