Valentine’s Day is next Sunday. Throughout the week, we will share some ideas to help make it special. We’ve started by updating OUR KITCHEN with some Valentine recipes (and will add more as the week goes on.) In the meantime, if you are lacking a fun gift idea, other than the usual box of chocolates or flowers, consider the idea below. (Let us remind you that your “Valentine” qualifies as any number of people: your spouse, a boyfriend or girlfriend, child/grandchild, parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, or that very “special someone” in your life.) And, don’t forget to tell Jesus that He is the most special of all!

VALENTINE GIFT IDEA:
Select a basket large enough to hold gift items. Line the basket with a holiday Valentine napkin, hearts wrapping paper or tissue, or a square of hemmed or fringed holiday fabric. Place any of the following items inside (or choose your own):

wrapped chocolate gift items, such as store-bought candy kisses
packets of hot chocolate
gourmet mints
chocolate covered pretzels or nuts
chocolate coffee spoon stirrers
homemade chocolate fudge
wrapped “Best Ever Chocolate Bites” (recipe in Our Kitchen)
Bottle of sparkling water or other

Center the food treats around a large Super Kiss (recipe in Our Kitchen), teddy bear, other item that stands tall.
Other things you could include in your basket: a homemade coupon book for hugs or massages; favorite cologne; movie tickets, packets of popcorn, a poem written out on paper bordered with hearts (rolled up and tied with a red ribbon), jewelry, a book, gift card for a special dinner date, DVD/CD, a few red roses, etc. The list can go on and on, only to match your imagination. Visit a Christian bookstore for more creative ideas. Then, attach a bow and gift tag or card to the basket. When it comes down to it, it isn’t the gift that truly matters, it’s the love and thought behind it!

Note: Many people think that Valentine’s Day is a lot of hype and is something that should be celebrated EVERY day through our words and deeds. No doubt about it! But it’s one day out of the year when we can pay special honor to the ones we love in most unusual, creative ways. Just don’t let laziness be an excuse for not sharing your heart. Even a card given in love, or a candlelit dinner on an old, cloth-draped card table in the living room, or a long romantic walk, can mean the world to your special someone, especially when thoughtfulness and compassion are demonstrated all the other days of the year. Have fun!