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 ).

A flower can say a thousand things without actually saying anything! Flowers might be inanimate but possess a language of their own. They convey a whole gamut of emotions which even words might find difficult to put through. The sight and smell of flowers is irresistible and what they reflect is irreplaceable.

For any and every occasion, be it birthdays, anniversaries, engagements or new arrivals, flowers can be given as a gift without thinking twice. One thing is for sure, it will definitely be liked by the recipient. Who doesn't like flowers? We know that everyone does and hence no other gift can be as appropriate as a bunch or bouquet of flowers. Your loved ones will love you even more for it!

Flowers can be gifted in various forms and arrangements in accordance with the occasion and your requirement. Be it a simple bunch, in the form of a bouquet or in a basket, flowers look appealing in every garb that they are offered in. They can be arranged keeping in mind the various colour combinations and themes, making it appropriate for decoration purposes as well!

What a flower reveals as a gift is a subjective issue. A bunch of red roses is a perfect accompaniment to a heart warming proposal that you make to your girlfriend! In case, its friendship that's on your mind, a bouquet of yellow roses will do the needful and convey the message even without you having to utter a word! Blue carnations are enough to make an ill person feel alright and some sunflowers in the morning are sure to make your entire day bright and sunny!

One of the most beautiful creations of nature, flowers form a perfect gift for all your loved ones, is a great way to say that you care and a perfect way to express your love for that special one!

Henry Kruz is a marketing expert who provides the information on various themes through articles. flower giftchocolate gift

Keep the romance in a relationship alive with these quick tips.

Planning

If you are married, or living together its still important to get out of the house. Go on a date without children or friends at least once a month. Planning can often makes the difference between having a date or not. Even though a date is planned, spontaneity allows for following the whims of enjoyment. Always remember the cost of the date does not determine its value.

Create Memories

Every time you go out go somewhere. Creating new memories help relationships grow. Go on a date and experience something new together. The key to a successful romantic event is attitude.

Surprise

Surprise inspires romance, if you`re going to be back first, buy your lover`s favorite takeaway, and try to rush and arrange a beautiful candlelit dinner complete with wine and silver candlesticks. If you`re first out and slightly early, buy a bunch of roses and drop by your lover`s office, leaving them on her desk with an invitation to dinner tonight. On the way home, buy your lover`s favorite dessert or ice-cream, curl up together on the sofa after dinner, get that dessert out, and enjoy it together.

Surprise him/her with a sensuous massage after a romantic dinner. If you do not cook, you can still arrange a romantic dinner. Just make sure you show that you have put some thought into it order her favorite food or buy a picnic hamper packed with gourmet delights. Be adventurous, and eat in a park or beach. If it rains, just move indoors to a carpet picnic.

Communicate

Verbally express how you feel but remember action speaks louder than words, however, sometimes your mate needs to hear them.

Suspense

Keep your mate in suspense. It goes hand in hand with romance. Notes in his lunch or brief case : Slip a suggestive note in, and leave him hanging. Pack a quick lunch of sandwiches or your lover`s favorite for his/her lunch in a lunch box. Leave a romantic message inside. The anticipation will build all day.

Celebrate Memories

Give your mate a small memento to trigger memories.

Play Treasure Hunt.

Leave little notes telling her how much you care around the house in places you know she will find them, like on the bathroom mirror, on top of the milk, in her purse etc. You can also include clues on the bottom of each message to help her find her Valentine's day gift.

Romance

Wake up early, and prepare breakfast in bed for your lover. When your lover gets home late from work, suggest he or she lie in the bathtub while you scrub, rub and bathe him or her.

Keep it Fresh

Finding new activities that both enjoy heightens interest in being with each other. Unplug the television and the phone. Snuggle up on the couch together and watch a movie. Let him choose the movie, or choose one each and watch two. You want to have your mate's complete undivided attention. Light some incense or use scented candles. You will love the way they season the room. On the way home, buy your lover`s favorite dessert or ice-cream, curl up together on the sofa after dinner, get that dessert out, and enjoy it together.

Prepare

Always have after dinner mints. Nothing stifles romance than bad breath. Need I say more.

Music

Music can be very seductive. So when it comes to picking music, go with what you like. However, when creating a romantic mood keep in mind that Jazz and R&B is usually the music of choice. Don't forget to set your tape or CD player on continuous play. Nothing kills the mood like stopping to change the CD or to flip the tape. If the only source of music you have is the radio there is plenty of stations that plays Jazz and R&B. Serenade your mate even if singing is not your strong suit.

Compliment

Daily compliments to (and from) BOTH partners. Such as..."Hi honey, you look beautiful today!" Or "Hey handsome! You did a wonderful job pruning that tree!" You know just anything positive that you can think of to brighten your spouses day.

Thoughtful Gifts

Buy a thoughtful gift. Keep an ear and eye out for what she says she needs or wants. Always remember the cost of the gift does not determine its value. Buy him a present that takes some thought, like a book by his favorite author, or the DVD of his favorite movie. Buy him two tickets to see his favorite sports team, and tell him he can take a mate with him.

Spontaneity

On a rainy day, instead of taking the opportunity to do the errands, do the laundry, cleaning, etc... , take an afternoon nap. Put music on at a low volume and, enjoy yourselves in the stillness of the moment. Even though a date is planned, spontaneity allows for following the whims of enjoyment and keeps the dating experience from becoming old and disinteresting.

Participate

Keep conversation going. Ask questions. Be interested in what he/she is saying. Arrange to meet after work at that quiet pier where both of you love to sit and talk while enjoying the ocean breeze.

Candles

Dim the lights to add an air of mystery, and create a warm cozy feeling. If you`re going to be back first, buy your lover`s favorite takeaway, and try to rush and arrange a beautiful candlelit dinner complete with wine and silver candlesticks. Wear something sexy, but comfortable. Freeze candles a hour before using. They burn slower. If you don't want to use scented candles, you can use heated oil, potpourri or incense.

Francesca Black a romantic at heart, writes for Valentine Shop and Angel Gifts

So you met a delicious looking man. And then he whipped out his uniform and you liked him even more. But now he's being deployed and whilst you knew what you signed up for… it's still not good.

There are thousands of women going through the same thing and there is lots of helpful advice around for those dealing with deployment. For British ladies, the British Army has a Welfare and Support system that gives lots of practical advice and support. And in the US, the US Community and Family Support centre offers the same. But you might be thinking a bit more emotionally. What do you do when you get really lonely and you just want a cuddle?

Lots of things. Keep busy and distract yourself. There is always work to take your mind off things or take college courses, use your friends and start hanging out with them more, go out and do things you might not think to do like museums or comedy clubs or dance classes, start exercising,

"It goes faster when I'm thinking, 'I only have three more months to get a body like Britney Spears (ha, ha)!'" –kelnelmo.

But do make sure you do indulge in thinking about him too, in the right way. Don't get sucked into oh- god- I- miss- him- so- much- I'm- going- to- sit- here- and- fester- all- alone thoughts. Write letters or emails often, to keep him up on all the news so he won't feel out of the loop. You could even get creative and send him a personalised romance novel giving him a bit of saucy reading each night!

But, remember, he's going to be missing you too, so search for gifts for deployed forces and get him something special.

Create a Virtual Home, with modern technology many soldiers have access to the Internet. There are numerous sites (like myfamily.com) where you can create your own homepage and post important information, events and photos so he's not feeling left out and abandoned.

And definitely think ahead about you as a couple. Many couples get scared that after a long time apart the relationship won't be the same, it will fall apart but it doesn't have to happen like that. Send him lots of gorgeous pictures of yourself and keep sending more. Make him a little album of photos that are special to him; you, you and him together, holidays you had together, nights out, parties. Or even better, get him a personalised erotic romance novel. U Star Novels will send to BFPO, FPO and APO addresses. He might laugh and scoff but once he's alone in his bunk, looking at your photos he'll turn to his personalised erotic romance book. And he'll love it. A book completely about you and him romancing it up and getting down to some naughty action…It can help keep the love and spark in your relationship alive. And you could get one for yourself too.

Whatever happens know that you are not alone. Even though you didn't want him to be deployed, there is a lot of help out there for you and lots of people going through the same thing. And there are always friends to help you out. And what is it they say…Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Katie Olver from UStar Novels U Star Novels offers the UK's first adventure romance novels with a twist...You are the star. Ranging in sauciness, we'll entwine you and your lover into an authentic romance novel featuring you on every page.

For young dating couples that are still experiencing the passion and all-encompassing rush of new love, Valentine's Day can hold great importance. Impressing someone with elaborate gifts can be one way of telling the person that you are dating that you think they are special, and that you have great hopes for the relationship. Valentine's Day gifts in this stage of a relationship can tell people a lot about each other, and can be a good indicator of where the relationship may be headed.

What about people who have been married for a while?

For married couples Valentine's Day isn't less important…just different and, in many ways, better. It is a time to celebrate love and reminisce about all the Valentine's Days that you have spent together. Gifts given on Valentine's Day to a spouse can have much more significance, because you should know your spouse well enough to give something that has special meaning. A diamond anniversary band or three stone ring given to a wife tells her that you are glad that you married her and that you value your life together. A gold watch given to a husband tells him that you appreciate him and want him to have the very best.

Married couples don't have to give elaborate gifts on Valentine's Day; a meaningful gift that says you care or a sweet gesture of love are just as special. When you are married, the thought that is put into the gift is the important factor. A jewelry gift that says "I know you, and I know what makes you happy" goes a long way toward making someone feel that they are special and valued. If your wife likes heart shapes then giving her a diamond heart pendant or bracelet with heart-shaped charms can mean much more to her than simply handing her a gold chain. It shows that you know what she likes, you listen to her, that you put thought into the gift. Jewelry that celebrates each other's individuality as well as the life that you have made together can be priceless, no matter what the actual cost.

Giving your spouse something they have been considering buying for a while is a good way to show your love. To come up with an original Valentine's Day gift think about what is important to your spouse; what makes him or her happy. Does your husband love to golf? Give him a gift certificate for a round of golf at his favorite course. Does your wife love classical music? Tickets for a night out to see the symphony let's you plan a second night to spend together. A gift of jewelry is a lasting reminder of this Valentine's Day and your relationship – and jewelry is always appreciated. And don't forget about giving flowers – they may seem traditional but flowers brighten a winter day and are romantic. One of the reasons that successful marriages stay that way is because the spouses try never to take each other for granted, and the right gift on Valentine's Day can go a long way in proving your commitment to that ideal.

Jill Renee is the president of Danforth Diamond, an online jewelry store specializing in diamond engagement rings. With 50 years in the jewelry business, the Danforth family developed their site to help you purchase a quality engagement ring.

Various flowers come with various meanings and by knowing what each is you can send your loved one the right flowers for the right occasion. To some people this may seem like a trival piece of information to know but after sending someone flowers you will normally recieve a thankyou phone call to which you can add the meaning of the flowers showing an extra meaning and thoughtfullness to your gift.

Carnations remain one of the most popular flowers in the world as well as being one of the oldest varieties. Carnations are a symbol of love and fascination, they are a perfect gift for a loved one for any occassion. Carnations are available in a wide variety of colours.

Gerbera's are an extremely popular flower variety through florists, due to their large long and bright petals. They represent beauty and innocence and can be found in a large variety of extremly beautiful colours.

Tulips have a very distinct look about them, thus their meaining of grace and elegance and love. Another popular choice for a loved one.

Roses are without a doubt the most recognisable and popular flower. With each colour of the rose having a different meaning.Red are for love and romance, the perfect rose to give to a lover. Pink is for appreciation and admiration and as a slightly more subtle alternative to the red. Yellow symbolise friendship and joy, white is for honour and for remembrance. Orange for desire and enthusiasm.

copyright 2008

Flowers are one of the most beautiful and charming gifts that nature has provided us. The delicate beauty of flowers has fascinated us for a long time. Flowers have been used for ornamentation and decoration purposes all around the world. Flowers have inspired the creativity of many artists and poets and the inspiration has resulted in beautiful artistic representations.

These charming nature's masterpieces are brimming with classic beauty and graceful elegance. Flowers are a medium of expressing our emotions. They innocently express strongest feelings in a delicate and chaste manner and therefore make a perfect gift. Flowers have a wonderful ability to provide cheer and joy to the recipient and are one of the most popular gifts.

Different flowers express different emotions such as Bells of Ireland for Good Luck, Carnations represent devoted love, Dahlias represent dignity & elegance, and lilies represent purity & faith. Roses are most widely gifted flowers and different colors of the flower represent different meanings. A red rose represents love, unconscious beauty, white rose purity & spiritual love, yellow rose denotes gladness & joy, orange roses represent enthusiasm & fascination and pink roses denote grace.

Kellee Flowers is a leading online florist in Melbourne offering beautiful flowers such as corporate flowers, wedding flowers and sympathy flowers. The stylish Corporate Flowers change the dreary office environment into a cheerful atmosphere. The lovely flowers provide a healing touch to the stressful office atmosphere. The client preferences are specially adhered too and the flower arrangements are according to the theme suggested by the client. The Bridal Flowers enhance the beauty of the bridal gown and add freshness and delicate elegance to the whole bridal attire. You can get bridal bouquet that match with the taste and the outfit of the bride. As a customer you have a variety of options to choose from.

Kellee Flowers are an elegant and beautiful way to express your feelings in style. The hand picked, fresh flowers are the best way to show your friends and relatives that you care. Visit the site and send flowers anywhere in Australia.

John is a well known author who writes for

Valentine's Day is synonymous with romance, of course. But of the millions who celebrate the popular holiday for lovers each year, how many actually know the rich history behind it?

There are several competing theories on the origins of Valentine's Day. Some say its beginnings can be found in the Middle Ages, when many believed that birds mated for life on Feb. 14. To commemorate the spirit of companionship, people would send love letters on that day.

Others say we owe our celebration to the ancient Roman feast of Lupercalia, a pagan fertility festival that was held in mid-February. On this day, women wrote love notes that were placed in an urn and randomly drawn by men, who would then pursue the note-writers and claim them as companions for the next year.

Early Christians preferred to associate the holiday with the saint of romantic causes, Saint Valentine. But there is some controversy regarding Saint Valentine: The Catholic Church recognizes at least three saints named Valentine or Valentinus.

The most popular candidate is a third century priest. Legend says he performed secret marriages against the orders of Emperor Claudius II, who forbade young men from marrying because he believed that single men were more likely to join the army.

As the story goes, Valentine was imprisoned for his misdeeds. He then fell in love with his jailer's daughter and sent her a note signed "From Your Valentine" before he was executed in A.D. 270. A little more than 200 years later, Pope Gelasius officially recognized Feb. 14 in honor of Valentine, the patron saint of lovers.

Some say the tradition of sending Valentine greetings started in 1415 with a Frenchman named Charles, Duke of Orleans. Imprisoned in the Tower of London after the Battle of Agincourt, the duke reportedly passed time by writing romantic verses for his wife. By the 16th century, sending written expressions of affection on Valentine's Day had become very common.

By the beginning of the 20th century, the giving of Valentines was accompanied with gifts of flowers and chocolates. The red rose and heart-shaped box of chocolates became synonymous with Valentine's Day.

Now, more than $1 billion is spent annually on Valentine's Day candy.

The National Confectioners Association estimates that more than 36 million candy hearts will be sold this year alone, the majority of them from Russell Stover, the leading producer of heart-shaped boxes of chocolate in the United States. Russell Stover also caters to the health conscious with assortments that are sugar-free and low in carbohydrates.

To find the perfect Valentine's Day heart for that special someone this year, visit - NU

Over recent years there has been a marked increase in the number of flower shops that are offering flowers and flower arrangements at discount rates over the internet.

Many offer free shipping and most offer some form of discount. It has quickly become one of the most popular forms of flower sales for florists.

Most of these flower shops offer same day delivery within a specified distance from the flower retailer. Discounts are often offered for specials occasions such as Mothers Day, Valentines Day, Christmas Day and also for other personal occasions such as the birth of a baby.

By buying directly from the retailer over the Internet you can be assured of freshness and flower quality, as the reputation of these online retailers can spread quickly over the Internet.

As flowers can make a powerful impression on the person who is receiving them, so too can the service and the quality of the flower retailer and they know that providing good service and prices will help them retain your custom.

Added to this is the fact that there are now so many opportunities for the customer to shop around and get exceptional deals.

Ordering flowers online is so much easier, and more often than not you will have a far greater selection to choose from when dealing with the big flower delivery services.

Flower deliveries can be scheduled for different times of the day adding to the convenience of online ordering. With many different payment options it is as simple as filling out the details, paying with your credit card and your flower delivery will arrive at your desired destination when you determine.

It is very convenient for those occasions when you have forgotten to order on time or you have limited time to arrange flower delivery through your normal channels.

It is possible to arrange for delivery of flowers both nationwide and also worldwide as many of the big flower delivery businesses have branches throughout the world.

The best place to start is with a quick search of the Internet where you can compare what the different flower delivery companies are offering in the form of discounts and delivery times.

There is no longer a problem sending flowers to a loved one anywhere in the world.

Graeme Ramsey is a freelance writer on many different subjects. Flower Delivery

Ever been on a Mega Date? Wondering what in the world is a mega date? Probably best described as more fun than two people should be allowed to have in one day. A mega date is an all day date taking in all the typical dating activities. It's not for the weak! You need a great sense of humor and a great sense of adventure. Why a mega date? Between working, going to school, taking care of the kids, having any type of social life can be difficult and time consuming. Finding time to date can be next to impossible. You meet someone, maybe meet for lunch one day, go out on a typical Friday night date, take in a movie and dinner, make small talk. Yawn! Life is short! Kick it up a notch! A mega date is a great way to get to know someone new or add spice to a stale relationship. It will take a bit of planning but doesn't have to be expensive, there are plenty of activities you can do that don't cost much. Here is how it works.

You plan out as many activities as you can fit into one day. The mega date day will start at 8am and go to midnight! You will need to figure out how long each activity will last and how far apart they are. You need to allow for travel time between activities and some time for unexpected things that can pop up. It is best to find a number of quick activities that don't take more than an hour or two. For example, instead of playing 9 holes of golf you can just go to a driving range and hit a bucket of balls. Instead of an all day bike ride, ride for a half hour, have a picnic, then ride back. I think you get the idea.

Your day may start with something like a walk around a lake and then going out for breakfast or just a bagel and coffee. Your next few activities should include more physical things like golf, tennis, biking etc. Try and schedule a picnic for lunch. The afternoon might include visiting a local museum, other interesting landmarks or your local "must see" tourist destination.

Try to include things you or your date have never done but had always wanted to. Take in a movie, a show or other current event. Have dinner at some romantic restaurant or local hot spot (as long as the wait isn't too long!, you don't want to get off schedule.) Try a carriage ride, horseback riding, miniature golf, anything on the water, rent a canoe or paddle boat, Go for a swim at a waterpark or beach. Visit an art gallery, Go to a casino, put $10 in a slot machine and see who is the bigger winner. Go bowling. Go hiking in a park, Play Frisbee golf. Go indoor ice skating, Go rollerblading. Get a couples massage, Visit a vineyard. Visit a petting zoo. Plan both indoor and outdoor activities. Have backups if there is a change in weather. Put your thinking cap on and search for fun things to do in your area. Cram in as much fun as you can.

At the end of the day, you and your date will be exhausted but it will be the most fun you have had in a long time. You will both be thinking "I can't believe we did all that!" Don't forget to bring a camera to capture the day, then make a scrapbook of the mega date day.

A Few Mega Date Rules:

Stay on schedule

A sense of humor must be maintained at all times

The person who plans the mega date is in charge.

The person who was invited on the mega date is not to ask what the next activity is. The day is a total surprise for the person invited. All activities must be kept confidential.

No whining.

No napping.

The person invited must be a good sport and go along with all activities.

The person invited must read these rules.

Have fun!!

Find online dating advice, dating ideas, news and links at the Mega Date Cafe

Isn't it just the worst. His birthday is coming and you're just plain out of ideas. Or it's Christmas maybe, or fathers day, or valentines day? You've exhausted your idea store.

Have you considered a gift basket?

Gift baskets are one of the fastest growing segments of the massive online gifts market for men. Gift baskets are big business for good reason, and so many people are now looking for great gift basket ideas when searching for gifts for that special man.

A gift basket makes a fine gift for a man if you choose your theme properly and buy well. Lets say, for example, that he's a golf nut.

You can buy him a golf gift basket full of all sorts of golf gifts that will set his juices going. And you don't need to know anything about golf to do it. A good gift basket company will do it all for you.

Or he loves his food. Why not a gourmet food gift basket. Loves his coffee? Why not a gourmet coffee gift basket? Or a wine gift basket, or fishing basket, or valentines day gift basket, or.........

The list goes on and on. There are thousands of gift baskets available online, covering just about anything a man could desire.

You'll probably find that it's more a case of being spoilt for choice, and spending too much time choosing between all that is offered. Once you decide that a gift basket will make the ideal gift for him you have a wealth of choices.

And you don't need to buy one. If you're short of money, or if you're creative, or if you'd like to make a gift basket that's extra special to him because it's from you and only you, then you can make one.

It's not difficult to make a gift basket. It takes a little time, and a little thought, and a little creativity, but it isn't hard. And it will cost less than a similar gift basket that is purchased. And it's fun to do.

And buying a premade gift basket or making your own are only 2 options out of the many. There are other ways of organizing a wonderful gift for him of a fine gift basket.

Want to design your own gift basket for him but don't have the time or inclination to do it yourself?

No matter. There are gift basket companies that allow you to organise a personalized gift basket online.

You choose your budget. You choose your basket or other container (it's not just baskets, there's hundreds of things you can use for a "basket").

You then choose your gifts that go into the basket. So if you know a little about what he'd like in his gift basket you can select exactly what goodies he'll be receiving in it. Choose them yourself and it's a much more personalized gift basket.

Then write your special message to him to go on the card that accompanies his gift basket and you're done, you've organized a wonderful gift for him that he should love.

Gift baskets are becoming one of the most turned to gifts amongst those who are a little stuck for ideas. And amongst those who recognize how successful a fine gift basket is as a gift for a man, or anyone else for that matter.

So if you're stuck for an great idea for your special man, consider a gift basket. You'll have lots of choices, and he'll love it.

Peter calls himself the Mens Gifts Guru and runs one of the webs premier websites all about gifts basket ideas, and other mens gift ideas, called Find That Gift For Him. Visit his

Squidoo lens about gifts baskets for lots of ideas for making or finding great mens gift baskets.

If you are one of the thousands of women who received a household appliance for your last anniversary, you are not alone. If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of women who received a box of candy for Valentine's Day, two weeks into your diet, you are not alone. If you are one of the millions of women who received flowers for her birthday – the day after – you are not alone.

The truth is: most men are "gift-phobic." It's not that they don't care, it's that they are afraid to disappoint you. Most little boys are not trained in the art of shopping, gift giving, and package presentation, whereas little girls learn gift giving etiquette and savvy at the hands of their mothers and aunties.

With little experience and zero confidence, many men rely on old standbys like flowers, candy, and taking you out for a nice dinner. What does all of that remind you of? That's right. Dating.

In the beginning of your relationship, you probably thought it was sweet that he presented you with a heart-shaped box of candy on Valentine's Day. You loved every petal on every stem of every flower, and thought he was a romantic because he took you back to the same restaurant for special occasions. Men do what works. So, if you liked it then, you should like it now, right?

So where do all of those "useful" gifts come in? Actually, it shows your guy is paying attention. He hears you say several times that you really need a new vacuum, and so he thinks he is giving you what you want when hands over his plastic for that brand new Dirt Devil.

The last thing your guy wants to do is disappoint you. He might have an idea of something you might like, but when it comes time to actually purchase the item for you, he chokes. He has gift giving performance anxiety. This is why, if you go to the mall on December 24th, you will find scores of men wandering about like deer in headlights.

This is also why so many men miss their partner's birthdays and anniversaries. In an effort to postpone the painful insecurity of wondering if you will like what they purchased, they wait too long and miss the boat entirely. And you won't like anything they give you if it's even one day late. Right?

Now that you understand why your guy is gift-phobic, you can help him get past it. First, you are going to have to let go of your fantasies about elaborate romantic surprises, or the perfect gift that makes you wonder if he was "reading your mind." These expectations set your guy up for failure.

Once you accept the fact that although he needs a little clue here and there, he doesn't love you any less, you can start training him for gift giving greatness. There are two ways of doing this, and you can use them both.

As you flip through catalogs, put post-it notes by the things you like, and if it's clothing, jot down your size on the note. You can do the same with magazines, but you need to include the retailer's web address so your guy can actually find the item you want.

Now, remember, you want to help him gain confidence. Point out the items you like, but don't tell him to get it for you for an upcoming occasion. Leave the catalogs and magazines somewhere where he can easily find them when he's ready to buy.

Another way to help guide him is a bit more obvious, but still leaves room for him to make the decision for himself. Tell him three possible options that you would love to receive equally. Phrase it in a way that does not chastise him for not thinking about what to get you sooner.

For example, you might say, "I don't want to interfere with any ideas you may have for our anniversary, but I was thinking I might like a spa day, or to see that new Broadway show. Oh, and what do you think of Tango lessons? Those are all things I would really love for my anniversary."

Do you see how that approach does not reprimand him for not thinking of something on his own, gives him a few options to consider, and lets him keep the element of surprise? The last sentence is really important, because it lets him know you will be happy when you receive one of those gifts. You're telling him it would be a sure thing.

The final step in curing your gift-phobic guy is praise. When you receive a gift you like, or like better than the last one, praise him. Get excited, tell others about it in his presence, and by all means, do not return it. Also, make sure you use it, wear it, or show it off from time to time.

When you help your guy become a world-class gift giver, he will want to do it over and over again. With new found confidence, he may even give you something you didn't expect; something that is exactly what you wanted, fits you perfectly, and shows you he knows and loves you best. That's worth a little gentle training, isn't it?

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