Cupid IS a Man

In, Roman mythology Cupid is the god of desire, affection and erotic love.  That is what made him the perfect representation for Valentine's Day.  We have given great ideas on gifts that men can give to cause the desire and erotic love of a woman surface on Valentine's Day, but what can a woman do to gain the affection of a man?

Micheal Luna photography
from modelmayhem.com

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My grandmother used to tell me that I was the Valentine's Day gift that kept on giving.  My birthday is November and I never understood until I was older.  The top gifts for men to receive on Valentine's Day are boudoir photos, electronics, and the gift of "love".  For those who do not know what boudoir photos are, these are classy pictures of a woman (in most cases) in lingerie or semi-dressed.  Photographers usually take these pictures in their studio or at a hotel. 
Wonderful boudoir photo session ideas can include the ones shown.  Some other great ideas are sitting in an over-sized chair, at the beach in the sand, or taking something your mate really loves (other than you of course) and incorporating it in the photo session.  An example of that is if your mate rides motorcycles, you can take a picture in lingerie on top of a bike or if he is a musician, you can take one with the instrument he plays.  Your imagination is your limit.  If you are getting photos taken, you must make an appointment to get these photos done this week so that they are ready to present on Valentine's Day.

Because Valentine's Day is so close, many stores like Best Buy and Target are running sales on electronics for those men in your life that are tech savvy.  You can never go wrong with an MP3 player or telephone upgrades.

--Brides Made Consulting is where dreams live and brides are made.

Impressions on a Budget

The CEO of Regal Magazine (the preeminent online magazine for African American men), Todd A. Smith talked about dining on a dime.  He got me to thinking about how so many men really dread the idea of Valentine's Day because of the expectations of elaborate dinners and expensive gifts. 

With flowers and jewelry being the top gifts given for Valentine's Day, there is no wonder that the price of a dozen roses goes from $20 to $30 in January to $50 as high as $125 in February and jewelry stores discount prices and encourage men to get their store credit card and finance the gift until the next Valentine's Day.  The common assumption that men are simple when it comes to Valentine's Day may hold water because the top gifts for men are picture gifts (also known as boudoir photos) and electronics.

Great Valentine's Day Gift

So how is any of this "impressing on a budget"?  Well let me tell you.  One year for Valentine's Day, my husband purchased a bouquet of stargazers, gave me a card telling me how everything I do everyday is why he loved me, and ran me a bath with lavenders and candles set up all around the bathtub.  I had had a long work day and the bath that he ran was the best Valentine's Day gift I had ever received.  The card and the flowers were the bonus.  Not everything has to have an expensive price tag on it to impress.

So, first instead of buying those $50 roses, why not buy her a seasonal flower bouquet that is beautiful and inexpensive or her favorite flowers.  Flowers that found to be perfect gift flowers are Asiatic lilies (stargazers) and daffodils.  Another understated flower is the forget me not.  If you pair them with violets, they make for a beautiful (inexpensive) arrangement and because the forget me nots come in white, blue and pink and the violets come in purple, pink, and white; you can pair them well with each other.   

You have the flowers, so it's time to buy the jewelry... an awesome place to get a necklace, ring, or earrings that's just off the beaten path, would be a pawn shop.  Pawn shops offer a variety of jewelry and watches for as much as 50% less than you would spend in a conventional jewelry store.  So you have the flowers delivered to her at home or work so that the anticipation is building up for the evening.  When you pick her up for you date, instead of taking her to the many chain restaurants (yes we saw the dinner special on the commercials and there is one on every other corner) take the time out to explore some great local owned business in your area.  Many of these "home grown" restaurants are very tasty and a fraction of the cost of the chain restaurants.  Houston and its surrounding areas offer many local eats. 

Another romantic option to going out and dealing with crowds of people all trying to celebrate Valentine's Day is to cook a nice romantic dinner for two at home.  For those who do not possess culinary skills, its ok, you can buy the food and put it on serving trays way before she arrives home.  In this circumstance its all about the presentation.  So you light some candles, pour some wine, and remember to pull out the chair for when she sits down.  Most local dollar stores sell candles in an array of shapes and sizes.  And when you give her that necklace or engagement ring, it will be the BONUS to the best Valentine's Day ever.

--Brides Made Consulting is where dreams live and brides are made.

The Precious and Semi Precious Age

Birthstones are considered that month's lucky charm and most are said to have healing powers that are heightened during their particular month. There are (as I learned) a few birthstone charts.The four common are the Modern, Traditional, Mystical and Ayurvedic Indian Medicine list.
The Modern list was adopted in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers.
The Traditional list dates back to the 15th century and are said to be named after the twelve gems on Aaron's breastplate.

The Mystical list is of Tibetan origin from over 1,000 years ago. The Ayurvedic is also over 1,000 years old and is associated with the Ayurvedic Indian Medicine.
January's birthstone is garnet and for the Mystical birthstone, it is emerald. Both stones are considered to have powers of purification and providing guidance and protection.
Garnet is also the traditional second anniversary gemstone.

--Brides Made Consulting is where dreams live and brides are made.

Purely February

February was introduced on the Roman calendar when they extended the calender from ten months to twelve.  I was added with January.  It comes from the word 'februa' which means purification or cleansing.  It is no wonder that the birthstone for February is the Amethyst which comes from the Greek word 'amethystos' which means sober.  The amethyst is believed to bring peace and calm to you and during this month its powers are heightened.  Amethyst is the traditional stone for the sixth wedding anniversary.

Amethyst was once considered more valuable than diamonds.  Because at one time purple dye was rare and expensive, it was reserved for royalty and the color purple came to symbolize power and prestige.  That's why amethyst with its hue ranging from lilac to black purple, can be found in the British Crown Jewels.  Ancient Egyptians and Greeks, also, adorned themselves with the gemstone.  The Greeks associated the gemstone with the god of wine and believed if you wore the gemstone or drank from a amethyst cup, it would ward off intoxication and overindulgence. 

The Greeks, also believed that an amethyst would sober the effect on those "drunk" on lover's passion.  Maybe another reason it's so fittingly February's birthstone.

Alternately, the Mystical Birthstone for the month of February is the Bloodstone.  The bloodstone is believed to increase courage and strength, and enhance self-esteem and self-appreciation.  It was thought to have the power to stop bleeding just by touching the stone and was said to heal a broken heart. 

The ancient Egyptians used the bloodstone to increase their strength and defeat their enemies magically.  In India today, powdered bloodstone is used as an aphrodisiac and in traditional medicines.

Just as the amethyst under the pillow is said to induce sweet dreams, the bloodstone is said to revitalize and induce dreaming.

The Zodiac for January 21-February 18 Aquarius (Air)  February 19-March 20 Pisces (Water)

Aquarius are erratic, unpredictable, stubborn, self-reliant, and philanthropic.  They can be interesting to be around because of their adventurous and active nature, but they become quite serious and sulky.  Aquarius are also very sensitive by nature.

Pisces are caring, artistic, perceptive, sensible and good-natured.  They have great imaginations that are perfect for story-telling.  Their capacity for love and their depth of understanding come from their highly sensitive nature.  Pisces seem to have a dual personality and are extremely compassionate and helpful.

--Brides Made Consulting is where dreams live and brides are made.