Happy Valentine's Day

Instructions Step 1: Surprise them Surprise your partner with a romantic evening at home. Cook their favorite meal, light some candles, and end the night with a warm bath. No reservation required. TIP: Add rose petals to the bath for added romance. Step 2: Take pictures Get your digital camera and spend the day outdoors …

Instructions Step 1: Exchange of candy in Korea Exchange candy on February 14 to be like a girl in Korea. Only the girls give candy — young men confess their love on March 14, known as “white day.” Step 2: Send snowdrop flowers Send snowdrop flowers to your friends and lover on Valentine’s Day for …

Instructions Step 1: Read a poem Read “The Parliament of Fowls” by Geoffrey Chaucer. The 14th-century poem was inspired by the romance between Richard II and Anne of Bohemia. In it, Chaucer declared May 3 — the couple’s engagement date — an official day for lovers; the date also happened to honor St. Valentine. In …

Instructions Step 1: Paint the frame Help your child impress that special someone by decorating a photo frame together. Paint the frame with one coat of gesso or white craft paint. Step 2: Paint the frame Allow the gesso or white paint to dry and then paint each side of the frame a different color. …

Instructions Step 1: Say it in Spanish Wish a Spanish sweetheart, “Feliz dia de San Valentin.” Step 2: Say it in French Tell a French flame, “Bonne Saint Valentin.” Step 3: Say it in German Say “Alles Liebe zum Valentinstag” to a German honey. Step 4: Say it in Italian Wish an Italian lover, “Buon …

Instructions Step 1: Choose food for the menu Set your menu for dinner. Traditional romantic fare includes rack of lamb for 2, filet mignon, and lobster. You can also cook your lover’s favorites for dinner. TIP: It’s tempting to serve rich food, but try to choose a menu that won’t leave either of you feeling …

Instructions Step 1: Make heart-shaped pancakes Make heart-shaped pancakes for the whole family. Prepare the pancake batter according to package directions and add a few drops red food coloring. Step 2: Make the pancakes Cook the pancakes on a skillet and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out hearts. These will win the heart …

Instructions Step 1: Brighten their day Brighten their day with breakfast in bed. Make heart-shaped pancakes using a cookie cutter. For dessert, spell out a romantic message using candy pieces or sliced fruit. Step 2: Flirt with them Capture their heart by flirting with them in public. Compliment them on their hair, clothes, and the …

Instructions Step 1: Have fun decorating Have fun decorating rice cereal treats. Use decorating gel to write ” I love you” or “You’re mine,” and sprinkle red and pink sprinkles over the top. TIP: Cut out the treats into hearts using a cookie cutter. Step 2: Brighten someone’s morning Brighten someone’s breakfast with a pink …

Instructions Step 1: Create a night of romance Surprise your loved one with a night of romance. Share a candlelit dinner, give each other massages, and draw a warm bubble bath. Step 2: Snuggle Snuggle on the sofa, make some popcorn, and watch your favorite romantic movie. TIP: Turn off your cellphones to avoid any …

Instructions Step 1: Put some thought into it If you always go the flowers and candy route, make it special this year by tucking in a little surprise. Step 2: Make sure it’s a good surprise Make sure it’s a good surprise: What is hopelessly romantic to one woman may be unbearably cheesy to another. …

Instructions Step 1: Woo him Instead of leaving the celebration up to him, plan something he’ll enjoy, give him a formal invitation, and insist on paying for the date. Most men can’t remember the last time they were wooed on Valentine’s Day. Step 2: Dress up Unless it’s inappropriate for the activity, get all dolled …

Instructions Step 1: Make homemade cards Create homemade cards with your kids and deliver them to a nursing home or hospital. Step 2: Encourage them to show love Encourage kids to show their love for others. Lead by example and give them hugs and kisses, letting them know you appreciate them. Reciprocation will follow. Step …

Instructions Step 1: Give them a message in a bottle Give them a message in a bottle: Age a white piece of paper by brushing it with cooled tea and setting it on a piece of waxed paper. Once it’s dry, write a love note on it, roll it up, tie it with a ribbon, …

Instructions Step 1: Make a template Lay a pair of small underwear, like a bikini or a thong, on a piece of parchment paper and trace the outline of both sides of the undies, leaving a little extra room on the bottom of each side for the crotch. Cut out the templates and place them …

Instructions Step 1: Lay the groundwork A few Mondays before Valentine’s Day, answer the standard, ‘How was your weekend?’ with a broad smile and a sly, ‘It was wonderful.’ TIP: Wear some rouge that day so you appear to be glowing and/or blushing. Step 2: Blame it on love Make a small error at work, …

Instructions : Children under four should not use scissors, and kids four through nine should use safety scissors. Step 1: Create the basic card Create a basic card by folding a piece of construction paper in half, and then in half again. Don’t feel you have to stick with red and pink. Using non-traditional colors …

Instructions Step 1: Gauge their reaction Before Valentine’s Day, determine how you feel about the person you’re dating. Whether you’re itching for a serious relationship and don’t want to scare the other person off, or you’re more interested in something casual and don’t want to send the wrong signals, keeping the holiday light and easy …

Instructions Step 1: Realize you are not alone Realize that you are not alone. There are literally millions of others who don’t have a date for Valentine’s Day. Step 2: Remember: it’s commercial Tell yourself that Valentine’s Day is a crass commercial holiday that mostly brings happiness to florists and candy makers. Step 3: Do …

Instructions Step 1: Know thy audience Making a mixtape is a very personal and precise art form. Your crush from chem class doesn’t have the same musical tastes as your BFF, so keep in mind your recipient when choosing songs. Step 2: Outline the mix Outline your mix. Brainstorm songs, artists, and genres, and consider …

Instructions Step 1: Be a coward Take the cowardly way out and drop the bomb in an email. If you go with this option, take the day off so you can barricade yourself inside your home. Push the heaviest object you own against the front door. Or go on vacation. Step 2: Consider professional help …

Instructions Step 1: Arrive bearing gifts Arrive bearing gifts. Flowers, candy, and jewelry are no-brainers, but to practically guarantee success, add something that conveys a thoughtful commitment to the future—like a brochure from the romantic B&B you’re going to take her to next month. TIP: Send flowers to her office; she’ll appreciate them twice as …

Instructions Step 1: Primp Buff your body within an inch of its life. Have a mani/pedi; exfoliate and moisturize; get a facial; apply a spray tan. Be squeaky clean, pleasant smelling, and clean-shaven. Girls, consider a Brazilian. Step 2: Buy massage oils Buy massage oils and watch some online videos on how to give your …