The 4th

For most folks in the United States, this has been a three day weekend.

Today is the Fourth of July.

But I wonder how many people know why they have this day off?

As a child of the 60's and teen in the 70's my parents were very patriotic.

When our country celebrated our bicentennial in 1976, I was a teenager with a drivers license and my own car.

But I was also a Boy Scout.

And one of the things our Scout Troop learned to do was march.

Almost military style, at least we knew enough to do some pretty cool moves in the 4th of July parade and we all marched in unison, (Left, Right, Left, Right, etc.).

Put aside the political disagreements and come together today and be thankful that we even have a country that has been around for 235 years.

What Your Teen Wants

... for Christmas:


A recent AMP Insights Holiday Shopping Behavior survey looked at teens between the ages of 13 and 19, and came up with some interesting results regarding what they are buying, where they are buying, and what they would like to receive for Christmas.

Teens have deep pockets:
-- 49% are planning on spending over $150 on gifts for others this holiday season.
-- 20% are planning on spending over $300 on gifts for others this holiday season.

They're planning to give gifts to those closest to them:
-- 86% plan to give gifts to parents.
-- 75% plan to give gifts to siblings.
-- 74% plan to give gifts to friends.
-- 60% pan to give gifts to boyfriends and girlfriends.

Teens treat themselves when shopping for holiday gifts for others. Sixty-five percent say when shopping for gifts for others, they will sometimes shop for themselves if they happen to find something they need or want.

Finding the best deal is the number one priority for teens. Forty-five percent research a gift item to find the best deal before purchasing.

Though Apparel is ranked high on teens' wish lists, the Electronics and Entertainment categories are top choices:
-- 79% hope to receive gifts in the Electronics category.
-- 69% hope to receive gifts in the Entertainment category.
-- 61% hope to receive gifts in the Accessories category.
-- 47% hope to receive gifts in the Apparel category.
-- 46% hope to receive gifts in the Footwear category.
-- 32% hope to receive gifts in the Health and Beauty category.

Within the Electronics and Entertainment categories, teens want items for a fun experience:
-- 85% hope to receive video games.
-- 74% hope to receive movies.
-- 74% hope to receive music.
-- 64% hope to receive an iPod.
-- 59% hope to receive a laptop.

Big retail stores rise to the top for shopping:
-- GameStop, 62%
-- Wal-Mart, 60%
-- Best Buy, 57%
-- Target, 53%
-- Hot Topic, 46%
-- JC Penney, 45%
-- Macy's, 40%
-- Aeropostale, 37%
-- Apple, 37%
-- Hollister, 36%

(Source: The Center for Media Research, 11/30/10)

100 Ideas for a Stress Free Christmas

Christmas Eve, 2009: I'm cleaning out some emails and I discover this great bit of advice that I wish I read when it first arrived a couple weeks earlier.

So, I read it and discover it is timeless. So here we are 11 months later and just in time to follow some of these ideas from the DLM Blog:

100 Ways To A Stress Free Christmas

Posted: 08 Dec 2009 07:08 AM PST

Christmas is traditionally a time of year when we enjoy ourselves, we let our hair down and are a little more relaxed. At least that's the way it's meant to be. For a lot of people however, it's a stressful time of year. There's the shopping to do, there's the list of cards for all the family; god forbid we don't send Aunt Betty a card, there's the dinner to buy, there's work to do, there's family to contact, there's a hundred and one things to do.

Well here is a list of things you can do to relax and enjoy yourself a little more:

1. Set A budget
   It's easy to get carried away buying Christmas presents. Set a budget and stick to it.
   
   
2. Make A List
   Make a list of every single person you need to buy a present for. Keep it safe and tick off as you buy.
   
   
3. Write A little A Day
   From now until maybe the 14th December, write your cards out, maybe 5 per day. No need to stress about getting all of them done at the same time.
   
   
4. Address labels
   Get someone to put all your names and addresses from your address book into a spreadsheet and then print off your labels. You can pay your son, daughter, niece or nephew to do this for you.
   
   
5. Don't Send Out of Guilt
   If you are sending cards or presents out of guilt, don't. Don't just send because you feel obliged to, cut out this practice and send who you want to send to.
   
   
6. Wrap Presents The Same Night
   As you buy your presents make it a practice to wrap them the same night. This way you will not feel overwhelmed at having to wrap them all at the same time.
   
   
7. Enroll The Kids Into Wrapping
   Kids love Christmas so why not get them involved more into helping you do the tedious time consuming part of Christmas like wrapping the presents.
   
   
8. Fill Up Your Freezer Now
   There's always specials on this time of year but beware as the prices will probably go up again just before Christmas.
   
   
9. Get Into The Christmas Spirit
   It can be quite stressful but remembering that Christmas is a fun time for everyone, or should be, so get into the spirit and plays Christmas CDs, go to Panto's, or see the Christmas nativity.
   
   
10. Make Homemade Gifts
    Making homemade gifts can be a great way to personalize your presents and save you a bit of money. If you're at all arty or can cook why not make presents this year.
    
    
11. Shop Online
    This is a great way to take the stress out of shopping. If you can buy all the gifts from one online store so much the better.
    
    
12. Look At Comparison Sites Before Purchasing
    When you have decided on a present to buy for someone why not check out the comparison sites to see if you can get it cheaper elsewhere online.
    
    
13. Shop Early on in the Day
    There's nothing worse shopping when it is extremely crowded and shoppers are getting irate because it's too busy.
    
    
14. Don't lose your head With relatives
    Remember the Christmas holidays only last for a few days so don't risk falling out with the whole family because of 1 person you don't like.
    
    
15. Buy A Real Tree
    You can replant your Christmas tree in your garden or give it away when the holiday season is over.
    
    
16. Take Some Time Out
    You don't have to attend every single Christmas family event. Take a night off to spend alone or just with the family.
    
    
17. Take A deep Breath
    Remember what Christmas is all about and take a deep breath in times of stress and let it all out and wash over you.
    
    
18. Get More Sleep
    As you will be more busy than usual it's better to get as much sleep as possible so you will have the energy to do everything.
    
    
19. Allow Mess
    Christmas for kids is not a tidy affair it's all about letting go so don't worry too much about the mess. People visiting will expect mess if you have kids. Let kids be kids for the day.
    
    
20. Let them know You're stressed
    Don't take everything on board yourself. Let other members of the family know you are ready to blow a gasket and ask for help.
    
    
21. It's okay to Say No
    You don't need to say yes to every request made of you at Christmas time, or any other time for that matter. Learn to diplomatically say no; there's only so many nativities you can go to.
    
    
22. Remember the good times
    If Christmas is a sad time for you because loved ones are no longer with you, try and remember the good times and ask yourself how they would celebrate.
    
    
23. Hire a cook
    There are lots of places where you can order your Christmas dinner, fully prepared and you pick it up two days before Christmas. Why have all the stress of doing everything yourself.
    
    
24. Stay away from the big shopping malls
    You'll only come home in a bad mood ready to kill someone as you have been elbowed so many times by people rushing to buy presents. Shop when it's quieter or online.
    
    
25. Switch the TV off
    The TV can often be the source of entertainment for the Christmas holidays. Try something different like board games, karaoke, family Xbox or Playstation games.
    
    
26. Avoid too much alcohol
    Yes this is a time to let your hair down but overdoing it on the alcohol can lead you to do things you wouldn't normally do.
    
    
27. No Need to spend the same amount
    My mother always spend the exact same amount on each grandchild no matter how much presents there are. there's no need to do this. It doesn't mean you love one more than the other.
    
    
28. Don't overfill your food cupboards
    there's no need to stock up for the Christmas holidays, the shops are only closed for 1 day or two.
    
    
29. Let things go wrong
    Christmas doesn't have to be spot on perfect. things will go wrong, laugh about it and get on with it.
    
    
30. Make it magical
    Put the fun back into Christmas for the kids and for yourself. It's tradition in our house that the biggest present is always turned into a treasure hunt. Make games up, sing, be silly just let go and be yourself for a full day and enjoy it.
    
    
31. Use post it notes
    If you have a board in your kitchen write post it notes of things to do and you as you do them transfer them to another 'done' board.
    
    
32. Clean out the freezer
    Unless you have a frost free freezer it's a good idea to clean out the freezer to make as much room as possible for food.
    
    
33. Clear the cupboards
    It's also a good idea to clean out the cupboards of all food you have used including: tinned foods, packet foods, and sauces.
    
    
34. Give the house a good cleaning before Christmas
    This way there won't be so much work to do after all the festivities are over and you can relax more.
    
    
35. Clean sheets and duvets
    If you are having guests over make sure you have enough bed linen and make sure it all cleaned befoehand.
    
    
36. Buy in bulk
    If you buy for teachers, colleagues, group members etc buy in bulk to avoid having to shop around.
    
    
37. Ignore the ones who've done it all
    When you feel particularly stressed, don't tell the super-organized person as they will make you feel worse. These are the people who have all their presents, cards, food etc in at the end of August and you feel a smack in the mouth might wipe the smug grin off their face.
    
    
38. Sing loudly
    I love singing at the best of times but at Christmas it's a must to sing loudly and more annoying, there's nothing better than annoying the family with loud singing.
    
    
39. Be unique
    Buying gifts for loved ones is often a dull affair. Try and listen throughout the year for what he or she would really like and put some thought into present buying for your spouse.
    
    
40. Have a rest day
    Once you have everything prepared, presents bought and wrapped, cards written and sent, invitations written and sent etc have a complete day of rest, you deserve it.
    
    
41. Clear the air
    If you've had a disagreement with someone and they are coming round for Christmas, try and clear the air before they come round.
    
    
42. Let everyone be themselves
    Yes it's annoying to have Uncle Bert dribbling in the corner, drunk and half asleep. Let it be and don't stress yourself, it's only for the day.
    
    
43. Invite someone who is alone
    If you are having a big Christmas dinner with family members, why not invite someone you know will be on their own.
    
    
44. Make sure you have a camera
    It's important to capture every Christmas with photos or a camcorder. You may not think it is important just now but in years to come it will bring back so many happy memories for you to enjoy.
    
    
45. Be mindful of pets
    Your pet can get very confused with all the toing and froing of Christmas planning so be mindful to pay them some more attention than usual.
    
    
46. Stock up on medication
    If you have a health condition make sure you have enough medication to last you through the holidays as your doctor may be vacationing for a prolonged period.
    
    
47. Make sure you have a good online protection software
    With many people turning to the net for Christmas shopping, it's extremely important to have online protection software installed on your computer.
    
    
48. Wear sensible shoes
    When you're visiting people at Christmas and it's bad weather,♠ wear sensible shoes in order to minimize the risk of slipping or falling.
    
    
49. Mind your back
    Christmas shopping can be a nightmare for your back. Try and shop more online or make more trips so you are not carrying a mountain full of bags in one go.
    
    
50. Check the weather when hanging lights
    If you decorate your home outside check the weather forecast for the days to avoid any dangers.
    
    
51. Never mind the Jones'
    Christmas is all about joy, fun and happiness it's not about who has the best house lights, or the biggest garden tree or best garden decorations.
    
    
52. Keep receipts
    Always keep your Christmas receipts in a special box. This will mean you can take duplicate gifts back or faulty gifts back and get them exchanged.
    
    
53. Celebrate the real meaning
    Christmas is a time for giving and celebrating and being grateful. Why not visit a hostel with the family to give some of your time before Christmas day.
    
    
54. Encourage children to get involved
    When you explain the importance of Christmas through your actions the children will want to get involved as well. Always make it a fun time if you have kids.
    
    
55. Get your pets used to your decorations
    If you have a pet who has never celebrated Christmas with you, introduce the tree a week early to let them get used to it.
    
    
56. Leave your light hooks up
    If you know you will be decorating the outside of the house every year why not leave the light hooks up so you don't have to do it year after year in the freezing cold.
    
    
57. Find out the return policies
    A lot of gifts cannot be returned after a certain number of days; find this out before purchasing if you are afraid the person might not like it or it will not fit them.
    
    
58. Use coupon sites
    This is a growth area online and there are thousands of coupon sites offering printable coupons to get discounts off from your favorite stores.
    
    
59. Turn out the lights
    Remember to turn all your Christmas lights out at night before going to bed.
    
    
60. Shop on eBay
    There are some fantastic bargains to be had from eBay. If you are stuck for an idea, have a browse and see what there is.
    
    
61. Buy cards straight after Christmas
    If you want to save some money on cards, buy them straight after Christmas as the card shops are looking to get rid of their stock. You will often get great deals for next year.
    
    
62. Tire out the pets
    To stop your pet from getting overexcited, spend a little more time playing around with them and tiring them out so they can relax more.
    
    
63. Leave the kids at home
    If you are going shopping for presents there's nothing worse for a child than having to trail round the shops. Try and organize a baby sitter for a day to let you get your shopping done.
    
    
64. Free events before Christmas
    Lots of children are off on holiday and it can be a strain to keep them entertained. Take them to free events such as the turning on of Christmas lights, the events in the local square, get the kids to write a letter to Santa, go a walk in the local big park.
    
    
65. Place your order now
    If you know what you Christmas menu will be i.e. Turkey, go to your local butcher, or food shop and place your order just now and pick it up nearer the time.
    
    
66. Get plenty of batteries in
    A lot of presents need batteries and it's something we often forget. Make sure you have lots of batteries in stock.
    
    
67. Cash in your rewards
    If you get rewards from your various stores cash them in at Christmas and use them up. It may not be much but every little helps.
    
    
68. Buy your crackers after Christmas
    Buy luxury crackers after Christmas and get a really good price, then store them away for next year.
    
    
69. Make your own gift tags
    Old Christmas cards are a great way to do this. Get your pinking shears out and make your own tags.
    
    
70. Fill the tank up
    If you are going visiting at Christmas make sure you have enough fuel as a lot of gas stations will be closed.
    
    
71. Stocking fillers
    You can stock up on these throughout the year and they soon add up to a sizeable amount of gifts.
    
    
72. Remember overseas relatives
    Remember to get all your overseas parcels sent well before Christmas for them to get there in plenty of time.
    
    
73. Post overseas cards
    Post all your overseas cards in plenty of time for them to arrive by Christmas.
    
    
74. Tiring the kids out
    We have a tradition of going for a meal and then to see a movie on Christmas Eve. This keeps them occupied and tires them out so they get a good sleep and are not too excited on Christmas Eve.
    
    
75. Watch Christmas movies
    Have a Christmas movie day to get the whole family in the spirit of Christmas.
    
    
76. Remember the table decoration
    If you are having guests over remember to get in your Christmas table decorations well in advance.
    
    
77. Buy for the less fortunate
    All year round should a time for thinking about those less fortunate but at this time of year it seems to be more important. Buy a gift for those less fortunate.
    
    
78. Cue the DJ
    Make sure you have a stock of CDs and music for Christmas so you're not hunting around on the day for them.
    
    
79. Pay all your bills before Christmas
    If you can do this it will save you the stress of worrying about the money situation.
    
    
80. Prepare your thank you cards in advance
    Write out all your thank you cards before Christmas so there's no need to worry about them after Christmas and you can relax a little more.
    
    
81. Do some more walking
    Christmas is a time for overindulging in everything including food and drink. Get a little more exercise by going out for a long walk.
    
    
82. Pack the camera
    If you're going visiting remember to take the camera; it's often easy to forget in the hustle and bustle of getting packed.
    
    
83. Time the present opening
    Kids get so many presents at Christmas that they don't know who is buying for them. Don't let them rip all the paper off every single one, let them read the label first, open them, and give them time to enjoy them.
    
    
84. Give your guest a job
    If things get a little out of control and you are having trouble with a family member give them a job to do to get them out of the way.
    
    
85. Get some oxygen
    Even if it's freezing cold, get everyone out of the house for 5 or 10 minutes. A Christmas house can become overheated and overcrowded and getting everyone out for the house for 5 minutes in the cold will wake everybody up and re-ignite the party.
    
    
86. Emergency gifts
    Wrap up a few boxes of chocolates to give as gifts for unexpected visitors.
    
    
87. Declutter the house
    Decluttering helps to de-clutter the mind and if you do it a few weeks before Christmas you will feel a lot more relaxed.
    
    
88. If you are alone
    I've spent a few Christmases alone and it's not a good feeling. However, don't allow others to feel sorry for you. Create a Christmas atmosphere, watch movies all day, and relax and treat yourself to a few goodies.
    
    
89. Use smaller plates
    If you want to cut down on the amount you eat, trick the brain and use a smaller plate.
    
    
90. Use taller glasses
    This is another trick to help fool the brain into thinking you are drinking more than you are and it helps reduce the amount of alcohol your drink.
    
    
91. Don't wrap it, bag it
    Instead of spending hours wrapping all your Christmas gifts why not bag the from the great bags you get from the dollar store.
    
    
92. Pick a party theme
    If you have a Christmas party every year pick a theme and send out invitations in that theme.
    
    
93. Don't overload extension cords
    Think about safety at Christmas and don't overload your extension cords.
    
    
94. Clean out the cooker
    Make sure you cooker it cleaned before Christmas. It will be getting used a lot and cleaning it before hand will help with the cleaning afterwards.
    
    
95. Recycle the leftovers
    You can use the leftover turkey for making sandwiches for boxing day.
    
    
96. Buy rechargeable batteries
    Although they might cost a little more it will save you money in the long run.
    
    
97. Go green and ditch the plastic
    Everyone's going green these days. You can do your bit buy buying a bag for shopping and not use the stores plastic bags.
    
    
98. Keep your pets away from the noise
    If you can help it keep your pets away from the main party as the bangers, crackers and other noises can scare them.
    
    
99. Take a step back
    I might be a little sad but I always take a step back when I see everyone enjoying themselves and remind myself of how lucky I am, and get a little tearful (yes, I'm a man but real men cry too!)
    
    
100. Enjoy yourself
     It's what it's all about.

Written on 12/08/2009 by Steven Aitchison. Steven is the Author of Change Your Thoughts and works as an alcohol and drugs counselor. He has a BSc in Psychology and has a passion for studying belief formation, thought processes and values and principles. His blog focuses on personal development through changing your thoughts but covers the whole personal development field.

Photo Credit: Randy Son of Robert

Money and Spending

Christmas is two months from today.

I refuse to go into debt to buy presents.

First of all, despite the commercialization of the holiday, it is still about a thankful remembrance of the birth of Jesus, son of Mary, (Step-son? of Joesph); and that's more important than overspending on a bunch of Christmas crap.

Yes, we will exchange gifts, but within our means. I hope you do the same. Here's some help from the DLM Blog:

How To Make Peace with Money

Posted: 16 Oct 2010 07:20 AM PDT

Do you hate thinking about money? Even those that aren't living in financial distress can have an uncomfortable relationship with money. It's common to feel like it's not nice to think about money or that everyone has a good handle on it except for you.

The truth is money is a tool and we all have to decide how we will use it. You will be able to make better decisions about money if you can get to a place where you can think about in a matter of fact way instead of avoiding the subject or making all of your decisions based on feelings or guilt or shame.

Try these 10 steps to make peace with your relationship with money.

1. Tackle your finances head on.
   It's not only practical and smart to know your net worth and liabilities but the more you ignore it, the scarier and more intimidating it will be. Make a list of all your assets and liabilities and take a careful look at where you stand.


2. Keep debt in perspective.
   All things considered, it's better to be out of debt than in debt but there are far worse things in the world than owing money. It is a hole that you can dig yourself out of. And, if it turns out that something like bankruptcy is the only answer, it's still not the end of the world. You can overcome financial problems.


3. Make a plan for your money.
   Most people feel more secure when they have an outline of what is going to happen and financial guidelines to tell them what to do. Writing out a plan that lists your financial goals and the steps you will take to get there is an excellent way to motivate yourself and keep your focus strong.


4. Understand that there is nothing shallow or petty about being concerned about money.
   Giving a healthy amount of your attention to your finances and making your financial health a priority is not a sign that you are less spiritual or evolved. Remember that it's important to take care of yourself if you want to help others.


5. Take a look at your shopping habits.
   Do you shop because you are bored or lonely? Do you buy things to get a high? While the occasional impulse buy or splurge or day out window shopping is not a problem, shopping should not be the cure for everything that ails you. Look for more positive ways to deal with negative emotions such as exercise, meditation or talking to friends.


6. Do what you can to ensure that you're being paid what you are worth.
   This can be a tricky subject as it often seems like compensation has very little to do with how much value a job gives to society, but, within every field there are some that are paid more or less. If you know that you are an asset to your employer or clients there is nothing wrong with asking for a raise, extra benefits or other consideration to reflect your value.


7. Stop waiting for a miracle or hero to save you financially.
   It's fun to daydream about winning the lottery or marrying a wealthy prince or princess and magically seeing our financial problems disappear. Sure, it could happen but you'll save yourself a lot of stress in the meantime by being proactive about fixing your finances.


8. Your self worth does not have to be dependent on your net worth.
   I think we all know this intellectually but it's something most of us have to remind ourselves daily. So many of us come from cultures where those that are wealthy are seen as being more worthy of esteem and those that are poor are looked at as being “less than”. Even comfortable middle class people can fall into the trap of thinking that because they can't afford every luxury they must have done something wrong. Remind yourself of this whenever you find yourself feeling anxious or insecure around those who have significantly more or less wealth than you do.


9. Stop being so judgmental.
   Sure, there are plenty of dumb decisions made about money every day but there isn't any value in pointing fingers or getting up on a high horse about other people's poor decisions. You absolutely can and should learn from the mistakes and experiences of others but using it as an opportunity to feel superior is only going to increase your anxious feelings about money. If you can be kind and understanding towards others when they make mistakes, you'll be better able to look at your own mistakes in a productive way.


10. Do some digging and find out what you fear about money/material possessions and confront it head on.
    It can be helpful to talk through these feelings with a trusted friend or family member. Things nearly always seem less intimidating when you get the courage to talk about them. Perhaps you fear thinking about your retirement because you feel stupid that you don't know what all the terms mean. Or perhaps you overspend on restaurants and entertainment because you are afraid your friends will abandon you if you can't keep up. Whatever your fear there is almost certainly a solution if you face it and get some help to figure out how to make it better.
    

Don't feel like there is something wrong with you if you find it difficult to think about money in a productive way. Just know that by taking the steps to make peace with your relationship with money you'll be able to focus more on the things you love because you'll know longer be burdened by the anxiety and stress that comes with money problems.

Written on 10/16/2010 by Tracy O'Connor. Tracy is a staff writer for MoneyNing , a personal finance blog dedicated to helping readers get the most out of their money.

Photo Credit: enough_42

Memorial Day

A long forgotten holiday that we need to keep alive.

My Dad used to say that certain holidays were "merchant holidays", but not this one.

My Dad and my uncles all served in the military in the 1940's and 50's. All of them served and came home. Memorial Day is to remember those that did not come home.

My Dad was stationed in the States when he served, never went overseas, but he was extremely patriotic. And I have an Aunt who lost her first husband in the war.

In Fort Wayne, we have a Coliseum where the Komet Hockey team plays, the Mad Ants Basketball team plays, and an arena football team plays. The full name of the Coliseum is the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, but most folks never use the full name. Today their will be a parade, it is a parade that my Dad & I would go to every year, the Memorial Day Parade that ended at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

Considering the fantastic weather, I wonder how many people attended today's parade. And I wonder too, how many people realize the reason for the day off. Do your part to keep it alive.

Harvey Mackay wrote about this too:

Land of the free because of the brave

By Harvey Mackay

For some, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, a long holiday weekend to head to the beach or fire up the barbeque. I sincerely hope that Americans attach a deeper meaning to this unique holiday.

Lee Greenwood wrote a popular patriotic song a number of years ago with lyrics that are perfect for Memorial Day:

"And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me."

Whenever I hear that song, I am reminded how fortunate we are to live in a country where we can live pretty much as we please, within the law, of course. We rarely stop to think about what we are allowed to say or do, or where we can go. We are free to make our own choices.

What does this have to do with a column about business? Plenty! Our whole democracy survives because we have brave men and women who fight to protect our way of life. What we have in America simply doesn't exist anywhere else in the world.

We all have the chance to study what interests us, work where we choose to work, take risks and fail and try again. We sell our products on the free market, hire from a well-educated and motivated workforce, grow our businesses without limits if we are successful, and make a fair profit. We go to sleep at night knowing the morning will bring another opportunity.

We owe our freedom to those who are willing to defend it.
As a businessman who has realized the American dream, I understand that the sacrifices of our valiant service people have enabled us to live free and pursue our opportunities. We take our liberty for granted, but as the saying goes, freedom isn't free. We owe such a great debt to those who have died wearing an American uniform, or lived to tell about it ... is one day a year enough?

Here's a brief history lesson about Memorial Day. In the 19th century, "Decoration Day" was started to encourage citizens to decorate the graves of soldiers who died in the Civil War. After World War I, the observance expanded to include ceremonies honoring those who died in all of America's wars. The holiday became Memorial Day in 1967.

Now, Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May. Touching and beautiful ceremonies are held at cemeteries across the country, and if you haven't ever attended one, I encourage you to go this year. I guarantee you'll come away with a new appreciation for the extraordinary efforts of our veterans, and the ultimate sacrifice of those who gave their lives for our country.
General George S. Patton offered his own perspective: "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived."

Over 400,000 American soldiers and sailors died in World War II. Around 1,000 World War II veterans are dying each day. These are the unsung heroes who saw action in Europe, Asia and Africa, and then came home and got down to business. We know them as the "Greatest Generation" -- the men and women who took on big challenges and gave selflessly. Can we meet those standards?

I drive past Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis every time I go to the airport. The unending rows of white grave markers are a solemn reminder of the millions who have died for our country from the Revolutionary War to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

I wonder how many of us could survive boot camp, much less wartime conditions. My worst day at the office will never compare to what our veterans have endured.

We honor them for their commitment and service. We recognize their sacrifices, and their families' sacrifices, that allow us to go about our everyday activities. Even those of us who work seven days a week still go home at night, unlike those on long deployments overseas.

We shouldn't wait until Memorial Day to show our gratitude for our servicemen and women. Yes, I am an unashamed flag-waver. I like it here, and I am grateful to those who have made my freedoms possible.

Mackay's Moral: Show your true colors -- honor our veterans.

The Love You Give

This is a retailers dream weekend. Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday. Which means it's not just a day, but an entire weekend. My Dad used to publicly declare it as, "another one of those merchant's holidays", but he also knew how important it was to make my Mom feel loved.

Guys, if you blow it today, it is 90% your fault. The best relationships are built around open and honest communication. Valentine's Day didn't just sneak up on you. You knew it was coming, and she did too.

Communication is when you talk ahead of an event to discover what you can do to give love to the other person that is a combination of you, and what speaks the language of love to her.

The other 10% falls on our partners. We need you to be honest with us. Open and honest communication. Don't tell us that Valentines Day isn't important to you and then act all hurt and disappointed because we took you for your word.

One of the ways to show love is to listen. Listen with your ears and with your heart.

This year I learned that my wife would be satisfied with a couple of roses instead of a full dozen, and she asked for me to fix dinner. We also have a coffee shop tradition which we did Saturday morning.

Saturday afternoon I went to our local Fresh Market where they go above and beyond when it comes to flowers. Their price was better than other places too. A dozen for $14.99. Then they re-wrapped them in my choice of color of tissue paper and ribbon so it would look like the $40 or $50 variety from a florist. I gave them to her yesterday afternoon.

The other reason I went to Fresh Market was to pick out the steaks that I am preparing today. The meat department got most of my money yesterday, but it will be worth it when we dine this evening. A couple of specially prepared ribeyes that I learned to cook a couple years ago along with baked potatoes complete with butter and sour cream; corn, and a special salad that I'll prepare. For dessert, we'll share cheesecake, also from Fresh Market.

There will also be an exchange of cards. I picked mine up Saturday, but I've been working on it all week. One of the ideas my wife had was to write in our cards some of the ways our lives have changed because of the other person. So I customized my card for her.

My wife is the oldest girl in a family with 7 siblings. Her "birth order programming" means she cares for and worries about others in her family and circle of friends. Not just kids, step-kids, kid-in-laws, but also siblings and their families.

She has an older brother who lives in Fort Wayne. Mike joined us last night when we were playing euchre and as my card playing brother-in-law partner, we won both games.

Yesterday, my wife surprised me by declaring she wanted to paint one of the walls in our family room, so after our coffee, we went and picked out the paint, bought the supplies and next week, she is planning on painting. Except....

Except, she won't have to.

Because yesterday her brother confided to me that he wanted to surprise her and so while she is at work today, he is painting the wall. That's another expression of Love.

By the time this post appears on this blog, we will be finishing our meal, bellies full, appetites satisfied, taste buds jumping for joy. Laughter will have filled our home another day because of the love that was given.

I hope your weekend is just as satisfying.

Inspiration

Christmas Eve.

For me, as a young kid, it meant Santa was coming.

For me, as a young Dad, it meant time to play Santa.

But beyond Santa, let's focus on what Christmas is all about.

For Christians like me, it's about Jesus Christ, the son of God, who was both 100% God and 100% human, being born. I know the math doesn't add up, but some things are not easily explained.

Beyond the birth of Christ, we have the death and resurrection which we will be observing next year in April. We call it Easter.

There are plenty of conflicting stories of the dates that all of this occurred but, instead of focusing on those details I choose to join my wife at church at the very moment this is appearing on this blog.

(If you want more on the history of Christmas, click here).

Because beyond my faith, there is also inspiration for hope and a future for all of us. And this inspiration inspires others with hope.

I've got another example of inspiration from an email I got a couple days ago from Harvey Mackay:

Jim Rohn's inspiration lives on

If you were ever fortunate enough to hear Jim Rohn speak, you know immediately what a void his passing in early December leaves. You also know that your life changed because you were one of the 5 million people in his 6,000 audiences.

Jim was a good friend and fellow motivational speaker, with whom I shared the stage on many occasions. He was often referred to as "America's Foremost Business Philosopher." But his philosophical musings went far beyond business, which is why he inspired so many.

He was born to an Idaho farming family and was ingrained with a strong work ethic that he practiced throughout his life. At 25, he met his mentor Earl Shoaff. And over the next six years he made his first fortune in direct sales. His speaking career began when he moved to Beverly Hills, Cal., and a friend at the Rotary Club asked him to tell his success story. Jim titled it "Idaho Farm Boy Makes It to Beverly Hills."

His rags-to-riches story resonated with folks everywhere. His success story includes becoming a millionaire by age 31—and that was nearly 50 years ago, when a million dollars was an enormous amount of money.

But money wasn't his biggest motivator. No, I'd have to say it was his fundamental understanding of what makes people tick and what helps them succeed. One of my favorite quotes from Jim: "If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree."

His folksy wisdom and gift for story-telling have earned many comparisons to Will Rogers. His unique delivery style made him one of the most articulate, powerful and thought-provoking speakers I've ever seen or heard. His messages are timeless. So many of his lines are life lessons all by themselves. For example:

• "Character isn't something you were born with and can't change, like your fingerprints. It is something you weren't born with and must take responsibility for forming."
• "A good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who are doing well to do even better."
• "Failure is not a single cataclysmic event. You don't fail overnight. Instead, failure is a few errors in judgment, repeated every day."
• "Whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for greatness—great wealth, great return, great satisfaction, great reputation and great joy."
• "Learning is the beginning of wealth. Learning is the beginning of health. Learning is the beginning of spirituality. Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins."
• "If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary."
• "Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better."
• "Better understated than overstated. Let people be surprised that it was more than you promised and easier than you said."

Like most successful businesspeople-turned-speakers, Jim recorded a number of CDs and DVDs and wrote 17 books. I was particularly inspired by his book, "The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle." In it he describes those pieces as Philosophy, which is how you think; Attitude, which is how you feel; Action, which is what you do; Results, which you must measure often to see if you are making progress; and Lifestyle, which is the kind of life you can make for yourself out of the first four pieces. It's a great read, one I highly recommend.

A true philosopher at heart, Jim took his audiences beyond the business of business to the business of life. "Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their futures in someone else's hands, but not you."

Jim's own words hold so much hope for us all, and optimism for what we can become. As I heard him say, "I wish you a life of wealth, health and happiness—a life in which you give to yourself the gift of patience, the virtue of reason, the value of knowledge, and the influence of faith in your own ability to dream about and achieve worthy rewards."

Mackay's Moral (borrowed from Jim Rohn): "The major value in life is not what you get. The major value in life is what you become."

Miss a column? The last three weeks of Harvey's columns are always archived online.

More information and learning tools can be found online at harveymackay.com.

Ho Ho Hum?

From the AOM Blog:

11 Ways to Get Into the Holiday Spirit

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 07:32 PM PST

“Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish. Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself.” ~Francis C. Farley

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There are just two more weeks until Christmas. But you know, it still doesn’t really feel like Christmas to me.

I’m currently in the holiday spirit wasteland-that time after you leave adolescence but before the fun of Christmas is reignited by the arrival of Santa Claus-believing children. Some time during this period, typically in college, the holiday season starts to feel like any other time of year. You barely notice it and then suddenly Christmas comes and goes.

It’s all part of growing up, of course. But while we advocate striving for mature manhood here on AoM, we also believe that paradoxically enough, the mature man is someone who retains a good deal of his boyish spirit. He simply knows how to harness it-when to reign it in and when to let it out. The holiday season is an appropriate time for the latter.

I don’t know if there’s anything distinctly manly about the holiday season, but I do know that I’ve always really admired men who truly get into it. The men who don red vests and cheesy sweaters, who put up elaborate light displays and put on Santa suits, the ones who delight in finding just the right gift for people, and who just seem….jolly. Their eyes have that unmistakable twinkle of a man who hasn’t given up on the idea of magic.

These men understand that while you have to grow up, it’s important to maintain a sense of wonder about the world and its possibilities. That in a cynical age, it’s okay to let go sometimes and tap into our less jaded selves.

So if your holiday spirit-o-meter has been running low, here are 11 steps to letting in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Christmas and getting into the holiday spirit.

“Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth!” -Charles Dickens

1. Turn on the holiday tunes. Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit faster than music. Once you hear those familiar notes, those same strains you’ve been singing along with since you were 5, the warm and fuzzy Christmas feelings come rushing back. But to have maximum effect, you’ve got to listen to the good stuff, the classics. And sing along. Because as Buddy the Elf has wisely instructed us, “The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.” Here’s a few of my favorites:

1. White Christmas-Bing Crosby
2. The Christmas Song-Nat King Cole
3. Holly Jolly Christmas-Burl Ives
4. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas-Bing Crosby
5. Sleigh Ride-Johnny Mathis
6. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year-Andy Williams

And when it comes to albums, you can’t go wrong with

1. Merry Christmas by Johnny Mathis
2. White Christmas by Bing Crosby
3. The Spirit of Christmas by Ray Charles
4. The Best of Christmas Cocktails by UltraLounge (has the best rendition of “Sleigh Ride” I’ve ever heard)
5. Christmas Portraits by The Carpenters

2. Watch some old school Christmas cartoons. When I was a kid, a holiday tradition my family had was watching old Christmas cartoons. We had a VHS with a bunch of cartoons from the 1930s and 40s that are in the public domain. We watched it so much, the tape wore out and we had to chuck the video. It’s been years since I’ve seen these charming Christmas cartoons, but thanks to the wonders of YouTube, I’m able to recapture a piece of my childhood. Here are 2 of my favorites:

Christmas Comes But Once a Year

Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer

3. Make some hot chocolate or eggnog. The edibles of Christmas are an integral part of what makes the season special. So take time to whip up and savor a seasonal beverage like hot chocolate or eggnog. Make a roaring fire in the fireplace, settle into your man chair, pick up a good book and sip on a tasty drink. For a recipe for making “Polar Express” hot chocolate and George Washington’s recipe for eggnog, check out our Man’s Guide to the Holidays ebook.

“Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.” ~Washington Irving

4. Throw a holiday party. If you’re a single guy and/or far from home, it can be hard to get in the holiday swing of things. One way to force yourself to go whole hog into the season is to throw a party. Planning the food, decorations, and tunes will thrust you head first into the holidays. And the party will warm your spirit with the company of friends and family.

5. Watch a Christmas movie. You’ve seen them a million times, but they never fail to pull at the heart strings. Here are my go-to films for getting a dose of the Christmas spirit:

1. It’s a Wonderful Life
2. A Christmas Story
3. A White Christmas
4. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
5. A Miracle on 34th Street
6. Elf
7. Peanuts’ Christmas Special

6. Read some Christmas classics. Every Christmas Eve my family would gather round and read some classic Christmas books together. Even now I like to crack one open when I’m in need of a holiday spirit infusion. The Polar Express and A Night Before Christmas are my old-time favorites.

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” ~Roy L. Smith

7. Look at Christmas lights. Nothing quite puts the Christmas magic back in your heart like Christmas lights. Ordinary houses and trees are transformed into something extraordinary. It’s seeing the Christmas lights that lets you know it’s a special time of year. Drive around town and check out the neighborhood displays. Also be sure to check out the massive displays that are sometimes put on in parks by community organizations, where you can walk around in a winter wonderland of millions of lights.

8. Put up a tree. If you’re single or childless, it’s hard to get motivated to really deck the halls. But a spartan apartment or dorm room is perhaps the single greatest sapper of holiday spirit. Throw up a few strings of lights and boughs of holly. At the very least, put up a tree; it will bring the sights, lights, and smell of Christmas to your abode. Get a real tree that will give off that all important scent of pine. If don’t have the room or money for a real tree, get one of those mini trees. Decorate it with some tiny ornaments. Sounds a little silly, but it’s important to go through the ritual even in miniature. I’ve got a little tree lit up on my desk, and I tell ya, it really helps.

9. Plan a romantic holiday-themed date. To me, the closest thing to the magic you felt as a kid around Christmas, is the romantic feeling you get from sharing the holiday with someone you love. The magic comes back when you’re experiencing old traditions with a lady by your side. So plan a festive date: take a sleigh or horse drawn carriage ride, go to an outdoor skating rink, look at the lights, and then make some cocoa and snuggle by the fire.

10. Go see A Christmas Carol as a play. Some have argued that our modern idea of Christmas really began with Dickens’ Christmas Carol. It’s a story that never gets old and never fails to lift and inspire one’s spirit. The theater in every town of appreciable size will put on A Christmas Carol during the holidays. Go and see the show. It’s the kind of human story that’s made for live action theater.

“I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.” ~Charles Dickens

11. Do Service. Of course all of the above are simply a means to an end, that end being a warmed heart, a spirit that melts away the cynicism and primes the heart for a renewed sense of generosity. If you’re not feeling jolly this holiday season, the easiest way to change that is to do some service for someone else. Shovel the driveway for the old lady next door, volunteer at the soup kitchen, or anonymously leave a donation for someone in need.

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” ~Charles Dickens

What do you do to get into the holiday spirit? What are your favorite Christmas songs and movies? Share your ideas and favorites in the comments!

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Check Out These Related Posts:

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• Best of Art of Manliness: October 2009
• Lessons in Manliness from It’s a Wonderful Life
• The Art of Manliness Weekly Roundup: Law School Finals Edition
• The Art of Manliness Weekly Roundup: Getting Our Lives In Order Edition

Mr Literal

Forgive my quirks, it's just my sense of humor that made me do this....

We are making plans for Thanksgiving and my wife and I are a destination. When I was younger, we were the travelers.

So I sent an email to my kids asking for their plans and here's what I got from one of them:

...will be making an appearance and eating some grub. We might be there early as well, not sure, but have to head back to Indy that night.

And my response:

We promise to give you back your car keys before midnight. And I don't know how to cook grubs properly, so you may have to eat regular food. and... don't go here: http://www.currentaffairsherald.com/?p=348

and if you click on the link, here's what you see:

A Thai worker prepares grubs to cook in the kitchen of Insects

A Thai worker prepares grubs to cook in the kitchen of Insects Inter in Bangkok. Insects are on the menu Tuesday at a UN meeting in Thailand, where experts are considering the dietary value of bugs and ways to farm the creatures which are delicacies in some countries.
(AFP/File/Pornchai Kittiwongsakul)

Sorry 'bout that...

4 months and counting until...

Christmas!

Ali wrote this on the DLM Blog:

Five Things You Can Do NOW to Make Christmas 2009 a Success

Posted: 22 Aug 2009 05:44 AM PDT

It’s the summer, and Christmas is probably the last thing on your mind (unless you happen to be a magazine editor preparing for the Christmas issue...) It might seem far too early to start any preparations: but taking a little bit of time to think, plan and shop now can save you a lot of hassle, stress and even money when December rolls around.

Here are five simple things you can start doing now in order to make this Christmas one of your best:

1. Get Your Holiday Plans Sorted Out
   Unless you have an extremely small set of relations, the Christmas period is likely to require some negotiating about who’s visiting whom. You might be the one hosting Christmas lunch, or you might be in the unfortunate position of explaining to either your mother or your mother-in-law that you won’t be able to see her on Christmas day.
   
   It’s worth clarifying holiday plans now. If there’s likely to be any tension involved (eg. if people will expect you to visit, while you want to keep as far away as possible), it’s better to face it now than in December, when emotions will inevitably run higher.
   
   If you need to book accommodation or train/plane tickets over the Christmas period, now’s a good time to start doing so.


2. Put Some Money Aside
   It’s a funny thing: we know that Christmas is coming, every year, and yet many of us still end up struggling to pay off credit card debt in January. If you start saving up just a few dollars a week now, the cost of Christmas won’t hit nearly so hard.
   
   Ways to make sure you really do save that money include:
   
   • Giving it in cash to a trusted friend/relative to take care of until December
   
   
   • Putting it into a specific bank account (though you may decide this is more hassle than it’s worth, for a small sum of savings)
   
   
   • Buying gift vouchers for stores which you’ll do your Christmas shopping in: this makes it much harder to spend your savings than if you kept them in cash!
3. Try Out Recipes
   If you’re going to be giving homemade foody treats as gifts, it’s a good idea to start trying them out now -- avoiding any last-minute disasters near Christmas day! You might need to invest in specific equipment, or perfect tricky techniques like confectionery-making or cake-decorating.
   
   For those who are hosting a meal or party over the Christmas period, practicing new recipes on guests during the summer and autumn can be a good way to check out how long you’ll need for preparation, how many people a particular dish will serve, and which foods are most popular. (Hint: You may have to think carefully about which entrees to test out: I wouldn’t recommend serving a goose with all the trimmings in the middle of a summer heatwave...)


4. Keep A Gift List
   When you start Christmas shopping, do you have difficulties thinking up what to get for different relatives and friends? Some people are tricky to buy for: perhaps they have few hobbies or interests, or they seem to already have everything.
   
   An easy solution to this is to jot down gift ideas all year round. Any time someone mentions a particular book, CD, home accessory, etc that they’d like, make a note of it. If your mom tells you that she loves a particular brand of toiletries, write it down. Be particularly aware of the likes and dislikes of younger family members: children do tend to go through phases, and the TV show or band that they loved a few Christmases ago has probably long-since lost their interest.
   
   Once you’ve got a list, keep an eye out for discount offers: you may be able to pick up some bargains during the summer or autumn.


5. Start Preparing Craft or Personalized Gifts
   It’s lovely to give personalized or crafted gifts – these really let the recipient know that you care about them, and that you’ve put thought and care into their present. But it often takes some time to prepare these gifts, and it’s worth planning ahead a bit.
   
   For example:
   
   • If you’re making a personalized calendar, think about the shots you want to include now – especially for the summer months! (You might want to include a pic of the family barbecue, or of your kids in the pool, for instance.)
   
   
   • If you like to knit or sew gifts, start thinking about what patterns and materials you’ll need.
   
   
   • Plan out who’s going to receive what, and consider making yourself a schedule for when you want to start on and finish particular gifts.
   
   From personal experience, homemade gifts are a lot of fun for the giver and the recipient so long as you allow yourself enough time – leaving it till the last minute will make you feel rushed, and the finished product may well not be as good as you intended. (Last year, my granny ended up with a set of four embroidered napkins instead of six, because I ran out of thread and then out of time...!)

Do you get all your Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving, or are you a last-minute person? Will you be trying out any of the above tips, or do you have some of your own to add?

Written on 8/22/2009 by Ali Hale. Ali is a professional writer and blogger, and a part-time postgraduate student of creative writing. If you need a hand with any sort of written project, drop her a line (ali@aliventures.com) or check out her website at Aliventures.

Photo Credit: dierken

Video Time: The Real Easter Story

A reminder that today is not really about Bunnies & Eggs.

Cheap Valentines Day Ideas

Without appearing cheap. From the DLM Blog:

How to Have a Frugal & Happy Valentine's Day

Posted: 06 Feb 2009 05:18 AM PST

Being frugal and happy on February 14th can be easy, creative and fun when you plan ahead. This is your opportunity to declare your love and pinch pennies with a touch of class. Enjoy yourself. It’s all about love, not the amount of money you throw at a gift. Tell everyone!

Create an Experience

• Make dinner at home. Create a romantic atmosphere. Use a nice table cloth. Get out your best dishes and put a single flower in a bud vase. Cook his/her favorite foods. Make a special dessert. You could do this together and invite another couple. Dress your best…something special.
  


• Have an inside picnic. Create a magical place in your living room. Light candles and turn the lights down low. Place a blanket on the floor. Serve a fresh loaf of bread, cheese, fruit, dessert and your favorite drinks.
  


• Go out during “happy hour” when food and drinks are less expensive.


• Plan a progressive dinner with three other couples. Each couple chooses to serve an appetizer, dinner or dessert in their home.


• Go to a coffee shop and feast on coffee and fancy cupcakes.


• Pick up take-out food from an unusual place and include an inexpensive bottle of wine or your favorite beverage.


• Make a chocolate fondue with different exotic fruits. Include cut up pound cake, Twinkies and cookies. Take turns feeding each other.


• Make Valentine's day a family affair. Have the kids decorate with crepe paper, confetti and hand made hearts. Purchase sugar cookie dough and make and decorate cut out cookies together.


• Go on a date. Choose a special place out of town to spend the evening. Poke around in new places. Make it an adventure. Get dessert.


• Have a "Spa Nite." Give each other a massage. Rent a DVD if you need instructions. Use special oils and lotion. Make the room nice and toasty! When you are finished you can take a bubble bath together, drink champagne or sparkling water in fluted glasses. Later serve finger foods to each other.


• Play your favorite music and dance the night away.


• Rent a romantic movie, for example, Casablanca, The Notebook, Hitch, PS I Love You, Pretty Woman or The English Patient.


• Take a romantic walk on the beach, riverfront, in a historic city, public garden or park. Stop for hot chocolate or a drink.


• Go to a bookstore, browse and purchase a favorite book for each other.


• Take your date to a free or inexpensive play or concert at your local community college, near by university or a local city theatre.

Give a Gift

• Give an exquisite rose and one delicious truffle.


• Bake favorite cookies, cupcakes or candy for your Valentine. Serve warm.


• Create a goodie bag containing Hershey's kisses, hugs, candy hearts or any other pink, white, red or chocolate candy.


• Gather wild flowers or flowers from a friend or neighbors garden. Tie with a pretty ribbon and present with a hand made card.


• Written word is powerful. Plan ahead to write each other love letters stating the top 10 reasons you love, admire and adore each other. Put them in a fancy envelope, roll it up and tie with a pretty ribbon or put it in an inexpensive frame.


• Spend the evening writing haiku poetry. Haiku is Japanese poetry consisting of three lines, with the number of syllables of 5 (first line), 7 (second line), and 5 (third or last line). It can be fun, creative, intimate and meaningful.


• Decorate your home with red, white and pink balloons and leave love notes everywhere: in side shoes, a packed lunch, a coffee mug, a briefcase and on the mirror. You could do this in his/her car as well.


• Write short quick love notes. See if you can do 365 of them. Put them in a gift box that you decorate and give a gift good for one year.


• Create and give gift certificates or coupons that promise you'll wash the car, clean the garage, do the dishes, or whatever would make your sweetie smile.


• Decorate a memory box and fill it with your favorite souvenirs, photos, and other favorite or meaningful things that represent your love for each other.


• Create a photo journal. Purchase an inexpensive journal or scrapbook and put photos from the past inside. Write down your memories, stories and feelings next to each one.


• Get a friend to do a photo shoot of you. Create a calendar or frame some pictures as a gift. Make them sexy, fun and/or special.


• Create a video declaring your love for your Valentine, post it on You Tube and email the link to your sweetie.


• Download his/her favorite music and make a CD. Label it with a special photo and enjoy listening and dancing together.

Give rather than receive

• Gather materials to create and decorate special valentines for friends and spend the evening delivering them.


• Together send free e-cards to friends and family members.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Written on 2/08/2009 by Tess Marshall. You can find Tess at The Bold Life where you will be challenged to be more, give more, live fearlessly, take more chances and show up in the world unstoppable, daring and bold. You can grab a subscription and download her free e-book, “Flying by the Seat of My Soul.”

Photo Credit: ButterflySha