The History of Valentines Day

The legend 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.

Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D.

The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture in battle of he greeting was written in 1415.

In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all-social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.

 According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year.

Women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.

Valentines Symbols

It was formerly believed that the heart was the seat of all human emotions. Accordingly, the gifting of a heart signified the selfless act of giving everything to someone you love. Though the ancients were not aware that the heart was responsible for pumping blood though the circulatory system, yet they knew one thing for sure that the heart was the center of all feelings. This ancient belief has lingered on through the ages.

The love and attraction that a man and a lady feel for one another is traditionally ascribed to the mythological god, Cupid. In Latin, the word Cupid means, "desire." Cupid is represented as a naked, chubby boy with wings and possessing a mischievous smile. He carries a bow with a quiver of arrows that he uses to transfix the hearts of youths and maidens.

From time immemorial, beloveds have been compared to roses. If we juggle the letters of the word rose we get EROS, who is the God of Love. Rose has thus been the traditional choice of lovers around the world.

Planning your Valentines Day

 Your Schedules
Before you can decide on anything, you need to find out what both of your schedules are. Do one or both of you have to work? Find out what hours. Does your date have something else planned during any part of the day? Make sure to find out everything, then tell your date AS SOON AS POSSIBLE what time to reserve for your interlude.

Consider Your Date's Interests
Is your date a "flowers and romance, dance all night" type, or a "stay at home in front of the fire" type of person? This is important in determining what you are planning to do. If you're not sure, ask your date what they like.

 Plan Your Date
By now you should know what timeframe you have to work with and what your partner's interests are. With this information it should be much easier deciding what to do. While you're planning, make sure to check if reservations are needed, any tipping requirements, transportation you might need, any possible dress code, timeframe of any events, and if there are any restrictions on any mood enhancers you might want to bring, like candles. Don't forget to let your date know about any information they need to know, like dress codes, etc.!

Select Mood Enhancers

withWith the date idea selected, it's time to plan your "over-the-top valentine romance!" Check out Romance Kits  for ideas.

Your Gift
The gift is almost as, if not more, important than the actual date. It doesn't need to be expensive, but it does need to show that you've put a lot of time and care into selecting it. Lingerie is a perfect choice it shows that you desire her and gives her the chance to be your fantasy, check out survey answers for more info.

Confirm Everything!!!
The night before, take some time and confirm any reservations or plans you have that involve a third party. This not only helps ease your nerves a bit, but also reminds the other person of their possible duty.

Relax And Enjoy!
Pick up your date and enjoy each other's romantic company! Relax, because you've taken all the steps to plan the perfect Valentine's Day date!!

Give your love a taste of Valentine's Day with a small but quite elaborate gift. Make it something that gives a clue of what is in store for the next day, like crotch less panties or edible body power.

Mail or give them an invitation to whatever you have planned. Include the specifics, like how to dress, what time he or she should be there or be available, etc.

Send a rose to your love with a note attached letting them know you haven't forgotten about the big day.

About a week or so before Valentine's Day, write in a journal every day about the reasons why you love your mate and why this Valentine's Day is so special to you. The night before, give it to them.

Create a scavenger hunt with clues on what you'll be doing! For example the first card could lead them to a new outfit for them to wear the next night. The second card could lead them to wine & cheese symbolizing dinner; the next card could lead them to a ticket to a movie or theater event. The fourth card could lead them to a piece of sexy lingerie, etc. 52 weeks of Romantic Night as great idea on this.

Give them coupons to be redeemed at anytime until next Valentine's Day! Makes Valentines Day last all you.

 Idea for at home Valentines Day

 Cover the floor with newspapers and finger-paint a masterpiece on your lover check out Valentine's Fun Stuff for great ideas.

Spread a blanket on the living room floor and have an indoor picnic.

Read erotic stories to each other.

Play strip poker.

Dress up for your evening at home.

Or, enjoy pizza by candlelight!

Rent your favorite romantic movies, make some popcorn and stay up all night watching movies and cuddling.

Surprise your love with a bubble bath for two. Bath products.

Have dinner in bed!

Give each other a massage. Massage Products.

Do your love's secret fantasy.

Stage a progressive love dinner and serve each course in a different room with the dessert ending up in the bedroom!

Plan a romantic dinner, with wine or champagne, candles, music... and just relish in each other. Talk, play, anything that comes up. Just be open and love without inhibition.

Stay up all night and watch the sun set and rise together.

Do that one thing that your love has always wanted to do or have happen to them.

Valentine's day theme

Honeymoon Valentine
Give your love the honeymoon you have both always wanted! Arrange to stay at a hotel in an exotic location, or recreate it in your own bedroom!

His And Hers Valentine
Start the occasion by wearing your "his and hers pajamas" (one wears the top, the other wears the bottoms). Then watch his movie, followed by hers. Grab take out from his favorite place and hers.

Pamper Me Valentine
Pamper your Valentine with the ultimate in romance! The ideal setting for this idea is an ultra-clean bathroom and bedroom with a TV and VCR. If you don't feel like cleaning, or have time to create the ambiance, splurge and book a hotel for the night. Start by lighting as many tea light candles in your bathroom as possible. Also, burn some incense and have some background mood music playing. If you don't have a place to rest things in your bathroom, bring in a chair. On it, place a fluffy washcloth, a plate of chocolates and strawberries, and a glass of champagne. (Make sure it's within the reach of your sweetheart.) Then get a warm bubble bath ready. Once your partner is in the bath, give them a foot massage while you wash their feet to relax them. Next, wash and condition their hair. When they are ready to get out, dry them off, give them something comfy to wear and send them off to the bedroom. Once there, brush out your partner's hair and give them a shoulder massage. After that, cuddle up on the bed and watch a romantic movie you've picked out.

Romantic Movie Night Valentine
Rent all of your favorite romantic movies. Set up an airbed on your living room floor with a comforter and pillows. Stock up on your favorite munchies, while you cuddle together during your love-a-thon.

Famous Couples Valentine
Choose a famous couple, like Anthony and Cleopatra, and create a romantic encounter like they would have celebrated. You'll need to get costumes, food, decorations, theme music and something for entertainment.

 A Gourmet's Valentine
Whether you or your partner is the gourmet, you'll both enjoy this idea! Plan and create a 5-course love meal followed by an evening of wine and relaxation, or a romantic movie. If you're not great at cooking, but love good food, find a 5-star restaurant nearby and order the food to go.

Pamper Me II Valentine
Read up on the art of Tantric massage. Start the occasion with an hour-long massage, followed by a round of romantic game play with games like Romantic Rendezvous or Climaxxx. Gift ideas include: Kama Sutra gift set, massage oils.

An Artisan's Valentine
Get a set of body paints. Lay out a large sheet, one that is okay to get stained, on the floor. Spend the evening painting each other! Follow up with a steamy shower to rinse each other off.

Room-By-Room Valentine
Take advantage of the space you have! Create a meal to be eaten in each room, or create a romantic activity to happen in each room. Even better do both!

 Bathing Ideas

Bathing together is, in my opinion, a romantic indulgence. The degree of togetherness and closeness you share with your partner during this time is nearly unmatched by any other romantic moment. A romantic bath can ease away a stressful day, make a wonderful, "I'm sorry" or a incredibly sensual, "I love you." Making the most of this romantic ritual can light just about anyone's romantic fire. So, the next time you want to do something special for your partner, or are feeling a bit unconnected with each other, indulge in a romantic bath for two!

Gathering essential ingredients...
The two "can't do without" items you will need are candles and some type of bubble bath. Scented candles are the best option. Try and find aphrodisiac type scents like jasmine, rose and lavender. When choosing your bubble bath, keep in mind the scents you've chosen for the candles and what type of effect you want to create. Do you want it to be a more refreshing interlude? If so, choose spa type bath treatments in rain or similar type scents. If a sensual bath is what you're after, choose stronger, more robust scents similar to sandalwood. Or try lavender or a rose scented bubble bath. For a fun romantic bath, use fruity scents like watermelon, peach or berry.

Start your bath off with a toast for two. Keep your wine or champagne chilled in a bucket nearby.

Help set the mood with romantic music.

Use a vibrating bath sponge wash each other.

Extremely soft towels to dry each other off with when you're done.

While you're bathing...
What you do while you're taking your bath together can mean more than the actual act! With this in mind, here a few ideas of romantic things you can do together. Each suggestion can be modified to be as sensual as you wish.

Add rose petals to the bath for a romantic touch.

For the ultimate experience, reserve a suite at a luxury hotel nearby that has a whirlpool bath or hot tub for two!

Start by taking turns washing each other's head. Make sure to deeply massage their head while doing this.

Take turns washing each other.

While you're washing each other, stop and give a few kisses here and there on your partner's body.

Be comfortable and confident with yourself. There is no wrong or right way to be sensual or romantic. Doing what comes natural to you both is always the best experience.

Treat your partner as if they are royalty. Spoil them with indulgences. While you're washing your partner, gently give them a sensual massage. Anything you'd absolutely love to have happen to you, do for them.

When you're done, rinse each other off with a shower.

Take turns drying each other off.

Complete the moment by having a plate of romantic finger food and your glasses of wine or champagne ready. Then, while in-between feeding each other, blow dry and brush each other's hair.

If your romantic bath has taken place in the evening, end the night with a massage or by cuddling together in bed.

Massage

Massage has been said to be a dance of love with your fingertips. Given correctly it can be one of the most intensely sensual moments you can share with your partner. And not a surprise, since the skin is the largest sensory organ in the body! For your next gift, why not give the gift of massage?

What you will need a quite warm place, oil or lotion, a towel, a padded area, gentle music.

You'll need some type of oil or lotion. Fragrant oils are fine, but keep in mind your partner's sensitivity to smells or skin irritations. Also check to see if they are allergic to any kind of oil or lotion.

A sturdy tabletop padded with foam or blankets works great. Otherwise, try a padded floor. Allow for no distractions! This means unplug the phone and arrange for no one else to be in the house, including children. Wherever you choose, make sure you have easy and comfortable access to both the right and left sides of your partner's body and that the temperature is warm. If need be, cover the areas of the body you're not working on with a light comfortable blanket, or use a portable heater.

You'll also need a towel or two to wipe your hands or your partner. For your covering cloth, make sure to select something that is OK to be oiled. A sheet works perfectly.

The most enticing part of a massage can often be the atmosphere in which it is presented. If quality time is spent on setting the mood, you both will reap the rewards! Play some soft relaxing classical, jazz or "mood" music in the background. You can play anything without any harsh rhythms or words. Candlelight, incense and flowers are wonderful mood setters as well. Try to make the setting evoke a feeling of sensuality and comfort. Take some time and make sure you have plenty of pillows and comfortable blankets. Consider it your temple of love.

Props are a wonderful addition to any massage. Anything that is soft to the touch, but not too light so as to tickle is wonderful. Feathers, a silk scarf, flowers, flannel strips, etc. work beautifully. If you decide to use props, keep them within easy reach.

Massage Tips:

Before starting, make sure your partner is comfortable and doesn't need anything. (they don't have to go to the restroom, aren't hungry, etc.)

To start, you might want to give them a simple back rub or a head massage (an often overlooked sensual area).

Keep the massage varied. Often change the tempo, rhythm and pressure. While the point is to relax your partner, you don't want them to fall asleep!

If you're unsure of how much pressure to give, lighter is usually better. Although, it is best to go by what your partner prefers.

Make sure your recipient is enjoying what you are doing. You can usually tell, but if you're not sure, ask them.