Lasting Romantic Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Valentine's Day traditions are interwoven with symbols of love and gifts given on this special day are treasures symbolizing the love you share.The roots of the holiday go back at least as far as ancient Rome. Romans knew how to celebrate and love was always high on the list of reasons to feast. 

Valentine's Day as a day for celebrating love may have come from the Roman ritual of match making called Lupercalia. Names of eligible young men and women were drawn from a box and the couples were expected to be partners for a year. Modern celebrations are a little more toned down, but the symbols you exchange can be just as meaningful - if you get it right.

Give something that has real meaning to you and the person you love. The Valentine’s Day gift you choose for your loved one says a lot about the quality of your relationship. Gifts from the heart don’t have to be expensive to be remembered with love throughout the years.Gifts of flowers or chocolates don’t last forever but here are a few ideas to express your forever love with gifts that last or that create memories that will survive the years.

• Give flowers that will last forever. If you have some talent when it comes to painting or drawing, framed originals are wonderful. Silk or glass flowers really will last forever. If your beloved has a green thumb, give flowering plants to put in the garden to enjoy year after year. If you have space, a spring flowering tree or shrub is an annual reminder of your gift of love.
• Take a walk down memory lane for a tribute to everlasting love. Create a "recollection collection" scrapbook filled with favorite photographs, love letters, keepsakes from special occasions, and cherished mementos that have special meaning to the two of you.
• They say that love is friendship set to music, so what better gift than a collection of your favorite songs as a couple. Your mix should include love songs that you both enjoy listening to and special songs that put your feelings into words. If you want to spend some money on the gift, buy some romantic CDs, classic videos or DVDs of romantic movies, and wrap them all together with a big red ribbon.
• Jewelry is always a good idea. Start with taking time to notice if your love prefers gold, silver or platinum. Buying the right base means you pay attention to important details. If your budget is limited, costume jewelry or plated items are fine. A heart-shaped locket is a tender gift for the woman you love. Have it engraved with her initials and hide a picture of yourself or you as a couple inside. A classic sterling silver ID bracelet or cuff links with his name or initials custom-engraved tells a man he is special. A heart-shaped box for guys or bright paper wrapping tied to fresh flowers make the perfect presentation.
• OK, it may not be the most original idea, but if you do it right... it can be a gift that is treasured forever. Create your own Valentine’s Day card. Compose a poem or an expression of love that expresses your personality, make a photo collage that captures your special together moments, scan the tickets from your first date, a copy of your wedding invitation, a picture of the restaurant you think of as "your special place". Hallmark has some nice sentiments, but only you know the special moments to celebrate in your life together.
• Prepare your loved one’s favorite dinner and serve it on a romantically set table and dine by candlelight on Valentine’s Day. For the sweetheart with a sweet tooth, make a decadent dessert such as a chocolate fondue with melted chocolate mixed with a touch of heavy cream, and serve it with fruit or cookies.
• Take a step beyond those sweet little candy hearts and give your sweetie a long lasting personalized gift for a favorite hobby such as mounted personalized golf or tennis balls that say, “I love you,” “You’re a hit!” or “Be mine.”

Take that bold step now and express your feelings the right way to the one you love and cherish! Say those magic words I LOVE YOU! Mean very word of it! Valentine's day is not all about promiscuity. Always see the positive side of it and Love right with your heart!