1.31.2011

the month of love and...a giveaway!!!

Valentine's Day.  I have vivid memories of the holiday in my elementary school years.  Painstakingly decorating a paper mailbox for my desk (always a class project), selecting just the right character themed valentines for my classmates, deciding which of my friends would get the coveted larger cards in the box and then the fun of tearing open all of the sticker seals or tiny envelopes handed out that special day and deciding which were the favorites. And, of course, conversation hearts!

Then the angst of middle and high school Valentine's Days.  The anticipation of wondering whether a crush would reveal himself by passing along a card, candy or the most meaningful single red rose.  In young adult years and in longer relationships, the day was about nice dinners out, and the tightrope mushy cards that communicated that we cared but, not quite saying "I love you."

Now, Valentine's Day is a fun excuse to send a sweet sentiment to loved ones and friends. My husband and I exchange cards but, skip gifts and overpriced restaurant dinners.  We don't need this one assigned day to express our love for one another when we do it all through the year. February is our month anyway with the emphasis on our February 28th wedding anniversary!

Having George sets the Valentine timeline in motion again.  The next few years will just be fun for us, dressing him a cute outfit and taking sweet photos to share.  But, before we know it, we'll be taking him to shop for paper valentines. This year, I'm planning to send out some holiday cards to a few of our nearest and dearest - a very fun excuse to share how big our boy is getting. We ordered our Christmas cards from Shutterfly and were so thrilled with their selection and results that I have brand loyalty but, which design?  I'm loving both of these.  Which I choose will depend on the orientation of the final photo :)

So darling!!!  If cards aren't your thing, I've also ordered photo gifts and mugs from Shutterfly and have been very pleased. 

Okay, you've read this far so here is the GIVEAWAY!  Shutterfly is generously offering 25 FREE Valentine's Day photo cards to one of my readers (s&h is not included).  Want to win? 

Here's how to enter:
1) Leave a comment on this post telling me and Shutterfly what Valentine's Day means to you this year (Mandatory entry).  Make sure you enter your e-mail when commenting so that I can reach you in the event you are the winner.
2) Share a link to this blog post on Facebook AND leave a separate comment telling me you've shared (one extra entry)
3) Tweet a link to this blog post AND leave a separate comment telling me you've shared (one extra entry)

I will draw a random winner after 5:00 pm EST on Thursday, February 3rd.  Good luck!!!

*Standard disclaimer: Shutterfly is providing me with 25 cards, as well as the giveaway, in return for this post.  However, I only accept giveaways from companies that I trust and have used in the past with excellent quality results.  The end.

18 comments:

Derby_Newbie said...

Similarly to you, Valentine's day is not as important as our anniversary 2 weeks later.
We still get each other a card, and we may or may not go out to dinner, but we are more likely to do something bigger for the anniversary.

When I was in college it was a day to hang with my other single friends, aside from the one year when I had just begun dating a guy and he came over to cook me dinner, brought wine and chocolates, and even a necklace. (a little overboard for being together 3 weeks, but I thought it was nice)

Being married, I think it is important to work hard every day to let your spouse know that you love them. We both give each other small gifts here and there, I love you cards just because.

Derby_Newbie said...

tweeted a link

Derby_Newbie said...

facebooked it! (this is the first blog giveaway I am entering like this! pretty cool you are doing it!)

Mrs E said...

Well, I'd always thought Valentines Day was supposed to be this big, special day once I got married (and/or was with that one special person)... However... in all our Valentines Days together only ONE time have we ever actually done anything - there's always been bad weather, someone was sick... etc...

SO THIS YEAR I'm really excited to just make the day really cute and special for my little ones with hearts and pink/red for them to be full of love!

mrse1107@gmail.com

Mrs E said...

I facebooked a link!

Mrs E said...

tweeted a link!

@mrse1107

Anonymous said...

I used to love all the little Valentine's in school! Now DH usually gets me something (flowers, a stuffed animal, etc but nothing too big) and I make him a cake or something. I think the thought/effort is nice :)
rachelbarese@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I tweeted a link!

Jes said...

fb'd your post!

Kerry said...

This year will be our last Valentine's Day as just the 2 of us. I want it to be a special day for us to celebrate our relationship and get excited for the birth of our son in the next few weeks. We don't have to do anything fancy, just be together and be happy about where we are in our relationship and life together. I hope I can figure out a really creative way to show my husband how much I love him and how much better he has made my life :)

ktighe@hotmail.com

Kerry said...

I put a link on facebook for your giveaway!

Brian Duddy said...

Valentine's Day is super special to me this year because it is my first Valentine's Day with my 2 newest Valentine's - Julia & Grace born 03/23/10

Brian Duddy said...

Tweeted your blog @DuddyTwins

Lindsey said...

Valentine's Day is special to me this year because my husband started a new job and we have been spending less time together. Just a change for us. Valentine's Day will be a nice pause to plan a romantic evening and celebrate love. Valentine's Day doesn't have to be just about crazy restaurant prices and crowds or gimics, but just about taking a day to celebrate love (all kinds) and maybe doing something special for someone you love. Even if it's something as simple as a handmade card or a thoughtful gesture or maybe making their favorite baked good.

PS - I don't want to post my e-mail but if I should win, you know where to find me as Bellina....

Nicole S said...

honestly, we're a little anti- valentine in the respect that valentine's day should be everyday! in the same way i appreciate valentine's day because it reminds me of the love we have in our life together. and ever since we had LO it is significantly increased. now i enjoy making it all cutesy for her. little girls really do love pink and hearts! :)

Nicole S said...

i facebook'd a link! :)

steffers said...

I too have vivid memories of buying just the right little character cards, making them out for all of my friends and then exchanging them in school.
This year is my first Valentine's Day as a mom. Although that does not mean that the love for my daughter is increased on this day, as I love her every day, I will delight in the joy of the cute outfits and pjs I bought her, buying a card for her dad from her and experiencing one more "first" through her eyes.

steffers said...

I facebooked a link (sorry, I don't have twitter!)

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