Valentine's Day Cards

I remember as a child eagerly looking forward to the handmade Valentine's Day cards my classmates would craft and share with one another, and as a teen/young adult I would get a handful from the kids I coached or babysat. I've still kept a handful of them in a memento box, because the thought and care put into them were truly touching.

I still enjoy receiving handmade Valentine's Day gifts, but there's nothing like a Valentine's Day card, even from a dear friend or loved one. For those who are in need of cheap Valentine's Day ideas, why not make a card your partner will want to keep forever? Here are some ideas: Making Valentine's Day Cards - from the Guide to Parenting Adolescents Create a Valentine - from the Guide to Family Crafts Valentine's Day Sentiments - from the Guide to Rubber Stamping Manga Valentine's Day Card - from the Guide to Drawing and Sketching Cardmaking for Valentine's Day - from the Guide to Scrapbooking ... or if you don't have time to make a card, you can always print one off for free: Printable Valentine's Day Cards - from the Guide to Homeschooling Free Valentine's Day Stencils - from the Guide to Painting Vintage Valentine's Day Cards To Email - from the Guide to Romantic Travel Top Valentine's Day Letter Templates For IncrediMail - from the Guide to Email

Valentine's Day Cards originally appeared on About.com Dating on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 00:02:01.

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Valentine's Day Entertainment

If you're anything like me, you'll be spending Sunday night curled up with a good movie, book, and/or soundtrack and making something delectable to eat. I'll talk about what sort of romantic foods to delve into another day, but today - let's talk about what to read, watch and listen to. Romantic Films Dinner and a Movie Date Ideas Best Date Movies of All Time Top Romantic Movies - from our Guide to Home Video AFI's Top Love Stories - from our Guide to Movies Classic Romantic Movies - from our Guide to Classic Film Top Indie Romantic Films - from our Guide to World Film Romantic Books & Poetry Romantic Idea - Book Hijack Romance Classics - by our Guide to Classic Literature Love Quotes - from our Guide to Quotations Immortal Love Legends - from our Guide to Hinduism Top Anime Love Stories - from our Guide to Anime Romantic Music Top Latin Romantic Albums - from our Guide to Latin Music Classical Music of Romance - from our Guide to Classical Music Top 100 Country Music Love Songs Of All Time - by our Guide to Country Music Top 10 Love Song CDs - by our Guide to Oldies Music Top 100 Love Songs - from our Guide to Top 40 Top 10 Christian Love Songs - by our Guide to Christian Music

Valentine's Day Entertainment originally appeared on About.com Dating on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 00:04:56.

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Single On Valentines Day?

How important is Valentine's Day to you? The answer to that might determine if you're morose about being alone or happy about celebrating Valentine's Day single.

But what if instead, those who are still single/single again amongst us, decided to claim Valentine's Day as our own? As a day to celebrate love in all of its forms, including most importantly the ability to love oneself - no matter how we feel about February 14th?

So say instead of looking at the cheap Valentine's Day ideas that I've written from the perspective as a person part of a couple, you look at the suggestions instead as a single person pampering themselves like no one else can. Maybe all you want to do is curl up with a good book and a mug of cold beer - why not take advantage, avoid the Valentine's Day crowd, and plan for it? Or maybe being social is more your thing - so why not throw a Valentine's Day costume party for all of your single friends?

Are you single this Valentine's Day? What do you plan on doing, if anything?

Single On Valentines Day? originally appeared on About.com Dating on Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 02:53:38.

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Do You Have A Hook Up List?

When I was in the later stages of school, there was a painful list that circulated amongst my peers: the hottest girl list. I sadly never made the list, and although most of the folks who both created it and were on it are now on my Facebook page, I couldn't imagine ever posting it on Facebook - even many years later.

Fast forward a decade (or two) and the hottest kid in class list has morphed to a hook up list: a list of people that you want to get with (depending on your definition of a hook up) with a timeline as to when and where, as well as dates/places as to where the deed(s) occured. The first thought that crossed my mind when I heard of hook up lists was: should anyone ever get a hold of such a list and do something, er, unsavory with it? Mortifying.

And yet, this is exactly what happened somewhere in small town America a few weeks ago according to Nerve.com. (Warning here folks: most of the graphic language has been blanked out, but the link might still be offensive to more sensitive readers).

In a nutshell, there are two siblings in this story: Katie and Chris. Chris was busted via his sister for having alcohol in his room and was grounded for three months. In retaliation, Chris rifled through Katie's things, found her hook up list, posted it to Facebook, and then tagged all of the gents in the list. (For those who don't use Facebook, you can post an image or note on Facebook, and then attach people's names/user names to the item so that it appears in their timeline and for their friends to see).

I don't agree with what young Chris did by any means; the damage done by this sort of behavior can't be undone. But I do think, even with the possibility that someone might find it, that hook up lists are an important part of growing up - as well as staying safe sexually. Why? Because by keeping a hook up list, not only are we detailing our crushes and dreams in journal-like form, but we're keeping track of our partners, irregardless of whether or not penetrative intercourse took place. And if someone is engaging in some sort of sexual contact with more than one partner at a time, this kind of list could prove invaluable should an STD be the outcome of said adventures.

But what do you think? Are hook up lists important, icky, or something in between? Did/do you have a hook up list? Why or why not?

Related: Safe Sex 'Passport', How To Talk About Safe Oral Sex, Before You Have Sex.

Do You Have A Hook Up List? originally appeared on About.com Dating on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 11:54:55.

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Getting Crafty For Valentine's Day

I'm not a huge Valentine's Day person, I'll admit. But the year that the person I was dating at the time made me both a gift (a photo book) and dinner (a luxurious all-out affair) is one that I'll never, ever forget. So if you're the crafty type who wants to make something special for your sweetie - or hey, even for yourself if you're single - then some of my fellow Guides here at About.com have the digs:

Valentine's Day Knitting Projects
My favorite? The XOXO scarf, which I've knit a few times myself.

Beaded Safety Pin Patterns
Maybe for the younger set, but still fun nonetheless.

Valentine's Day Quilts
Ok, you might not have time to make a whole quilt before February 14th, but maybe you do if you start now? Quilters, you'll have to chime in on this one.

Valentine's Day Soap Projects
Ooh, yummy. Ok I think I might have to try a few of these myself. Not for my partner. No, no. For myself! Hm, or maybe I'll try making these cocoa butter massage bars instead.

Fabric Heart Treat Bag
From our Guide to Sewing, a cute little bag to make that could hold something small but significant.

Valentine's Day Pottery Projects
A vase to hold those valentine's day flowers perhaps?

Valentine's Day Painting Projects
Wow, there's a huge list of ideas and projects to choose from here, most of which are perfect for beginners.

Valentine's Day Jewelry Making Projects
A three page list of jewelry projects, mostly for women, that are skewed from beginners to advanced levels.

Draw a Manga Valentine's Day Card
Unusual but perfect for the manga-lover in your life.

Crocheted Valentine's Day Arrangement
With a few flowers from your garden, this would make a lovely gift.

Free Bead Patterns for Valentine's Day
A handful of cute, small projects from the Guide to Beadwork.

Love Coupons
Inexpensive and easy enough for anyone to do, you can use the list of ideas presented here or make your own. Make Your Own Valentine's Day Cards
So much more personal when you do it yourself, with the help of some ink and stamps.

Create a Romantic Presentation
Alright, so its not quite crafty, but it is DIY. Use Powerpoint to make your partner a Valentine's Day themed presentation with the tips and tricks suggested here.

Getting Crafty For Valentine's Day originally appeared on About.com Dating on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 01:02:11.

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Love Through The Ages

With Valentine's Day creeping nearer with each day, I thought I'd focus the next few weeks on the lovers holiday, and what it means for both dating singles and couples. Today I'm doing a quick run through of love throughout time, and how some of the ideas attached to February 14th came to be regular everyday conversations. Immortal Love Legends from the About.com Guide to Hinduism: If you aren't familiar with Hinduism, one of its basic foundations is a series of love stories that are both breathtaking and awe-inspiring. If you're wanting for some love stories that'll inspire and teach, this is the place to start.
Love Goddesses from the About.com Guide to Ancient History: Some of the more well-known Goddesses are covered in this series including Aphrodite and Venus - but what about Isis or Freya? And then of course there is the God of love, Cupid, of whom Valentine's Day revolves around (depending on your version of how Valentine's Day came to be).
Love Magic from the About.com Guide to Paganism and Wicca: Are love spells considered ok in the Wiccan community? The ethics of love magic is still debated amongst those who practice the religion, but if you'd like a primer on what they are and how they came to be you'll find what you need here.
Feng Shui For Love Relationships: Developed over 3,000 years ago in Asia, Feng Shui is another way view love and relationships throughout history and how we've adapted over the years to pursue romantic interests.
Romance Through The Ages from the About.com Guide to Geneaology: Dating and courtship has come a long way since ancient and medieval times, and a fascinating path its been. Tie that into the history of Valentine's Day and you've got quite the love story.

Related: What Is Love?, How Do I Know I'm In Love?

Love Through The Ages originally appeared on About.com Dating on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 00:00:31.

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Romantic Valentine's Day Travel or Romantic Staycation?

If you or your sweetie have been dropping hints this year to go somewhere special this Valentine's Day, now is the time to plan and book your romantic getaway - or a staycation if the idea suits your pocketbook or work requirements more. Some ideas: Valentines Day Getaway Packages in the Western US Southwest US Valentine Getaways Island Valentine Vacations Valentines Day Cruises And what about those of you staying home this Valentine's Day? I've got a host of cheap Valentine's Day ideas compiled already, as well as a list of romantic Valentines Day ideas. Some of my favorites: Buy some massage oils or bars (Buy Direct) and make a night of working through a whole book devoted to the subject together, such as Sensual Massage Made Simple (Buy Direct). Gather together the fixings for each of your favorite sundae toppings, and then have fun making the ultimate masterpiece for each other instead of doing it yourself. Play a couples game together, letting the winner choose his or her prize beforehand. Perhaps breakfast in bed, or a fantasy lived out? Its your choice. Ladies, there are a great many Valentine's Day costumes to dress up in, or both of you could dress up and play out some of your more original or unique daydreams with your partner. (For costume ideas, try the Halloween Costumes for Couples or Singles articles - some of the singles options are particular sexy and appropriate).

Are you going away this Valentine's Day, or stay at home and spend some quality time with the person you're dating?

Romantic Valentine's Day Travel or Romantic Staycation? originally appeared on About.com Dating on Monday, January 25th, 2010 at 22:27:28.

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