Tips for Navigating Valentine’s Day at the Office

(ARA) - Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and many offices will see an increase in deliveries of flowers, candy and other gifts. The workplace will have a silent undercurrent, as employees watch to see who receives deliveries and who does not.

Some of your coworkers may beam with pride as heaping flower arrangements arrive on their desks, while others without flowers will act as if it is just another day. Then there is a third category: some will be embarrassed, and maybe a little angry, about their gifts.

For example, Alice and John are in the early stages of their relationship. John wishes to impress Alice by doing something other than the ubiquitous flowers. He orders three huge helium balloons tied to an oversized, over-stuffed teddy bear for 11 a.m. delivery to Alice’s office. The problem: Alice works in a conservative office environment, and she is younger than most of her colleagues. Alice is left feeling that receiving what amounts to a child’s toy, the size of which could not go without notice, has undermined her professionalism. Regardless of what her coworkers may actually think, John’s gift has not made the impression he was seeking.

This is only one example of a how a good intention could go astray.

"When deciding how to celebrate Valentine’s Day, it’s important to diagnose the style and decorum of the office to determine what is appropriate," says Dr. Peggy Way, adjunct psychology professor at Argosy University, Nashville.

For some workplace environments, Valentine’s Day can cause some level of uneasiness if not handled correctly by management. Some people wonder what is appropriate for a workplace where there is a diverse group of workers, some who celebrate holidays and special occasions and others who do not for personal or religious reasons.

Is it appropriate to send flowers or gifts to the workplace or should they be sent to the home? Is it appropriate to send singing message grams by Cupid and other characters to the workplace? How do you keep good intentions from going astray?

"You should certainly check with your own workplace policies and practices before you make any Valentine’s Day plans," says Dr. Steven Yoho, dean of the college of business at South University. "If the written policy is broad and doesn’t mention Valentine’s Day or gift-giving specifically, I would ask coworkers how the holiday has been handled in the past or even make a quick call to human resources."

Way explains how Valentine’s Day has become more genderless than in previous years when it was more oriented toward husbands and boyfriends giving gifts to wives, girlfriends or potential girlfriends. Today, she says, men look forward to receiving gifts as much as women. She also describes it as a day where people are more relaxed and friendly and want to share expressions of kindness and goodwill.

When workplace management decides to celebrate Valentine’s Day, it is important to ensure that men are included. "Believe it or not, men enjoy getting flowers, candy and other expressions of affection," says Way. She suggests having celebrations where everyone receives a flower, or candy is offered to the entire office.

Yoho agrees that if management is going to recognize employees, it must be equitable regardless of gender. "Businesses will often celebrate Valentine’s Day by having cake or a luncheon because they view it as a day to show appreciation as much as it has been for showing affection."

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Valentine Font Ideas For Valentine's Day Cards and Scrapbooks

Valentine's Day, a special day for couples in all stages of their relationships, is also a day for school children to express their friendships through Valentine's Day cards and projects. Arouse the senses and show emotion with Valentine font ideas for Valentine's Day cards, invitations, decorations, crafts, scrapbooks and other Valentine font projects.

The most popular Valentine Fonts that are use for Valentine's Day cards and Valentine scrapbook projects are:

Swing Font - Swing™ was designed by Max R. Kaufmann as a frisky but well-behaved connecting script with an even color. Swing's informal style fit perfectly with that era's demand for beautiful but casual scripts. With its bolder weight, it exudes a classic elegance that can add a vigorous touch at Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and many other events.

Palace Script Semibold- Palace Script™ is an elegant version of an English copperplate script. Its steep incline and dramatic color variation give its letters the appearance of being engraved. Because of the small x-height and delicate weight you'll want to use this font in large sizes. It is an elegant Valentine font that shows a touch of class.

New Berolina Font - New Berolina™was designed by Martin Wilke, a clever German lettering artist and type designer. It is a boyant, disconnected script that scampers merrily across the page in its eagerness to tell a story. Drawn with a light hand, New Berolina's casual curves and flowing lines add a formal, friendly touch to Valentine's Day Cards to give them a fresh and organic appearance.

French Script - Ooo La La...French Script™ is an elegant upright french script with delicate, flourished capitals and joining lowercase. These fonts are great for Valentine greetings cards, invitations, scrapbooks and announcements any time of year.

Here are more Valentine Day Card fonts and Sweetest Day fonts that would be ideal for the Valentine's Day:

Crestwood Font
Dorchester Script Font
Hastings Font
Gill Floriated Capitals Font
Erbar Font
Curlz Font
Colonna Font
Zanzibar Font
Viant Font
Mecheria Font

The Valentine font suggestions mentioned above are just Valentine idea starters and a small sample of what FontMarketplace.com has to offer to make Valentine's Day a very special occasion. The Valentine's Day font possibilities are endless...please visit our Valentine Font page and also explore our website for more impressive and romantic Valentine fonts that would be the most ideal for Valentine's Day and Sweetest Day! Rex Camposagrado with Ascender Corporation, a font foundry.

Valentines Day Crafts

Valentine’s Day is adorned with numerous craft specialties. Handmade crafts infuse Valentine’s Day with a special color. Numerous easy-to-make craft ideas swarm the mind long before the advent of the day.

A simple and unique craft item could enrich the special bonds between two lovers. Valentine’s Day candles are a popular item in the craft bag collection. All one needs to do is melt some paraffin inside a can placed in a pan of hot water. One could then paste the melted paraffin over some construction paper cut out the shape of hearts. This could be glued to a candle and as a finishing touch a ribbon could be tied around the base of candle. A collage of special memoirs could comprise the craft theme for lovers on Valentine’s Day. It could be a collection of photographs, simple treasures like gift wrappers, old cards or any other special memory.

Crafts for Valentine’s Day also include special wall hangings. The main features of these wall hangings are heart-shaped paper designs and images of cupid with a bow and arrow. These wall hangings could also incorporate some special personalized messages. Another creative craft item for the day is a Valentine’s Day address book. A simple address book can be enwrapped in a decorated piece of fabric cloth. The edges of this could be stitched, and a red ribbon with a few heart-shaped trinkets can be tied around it. This gives the address book a perfect Valentine’s Day touch to it.

For children, a great Valentine’s Day craft idea is the making of a Valentine’s Day heart crown. This can be easily prepared from a paper plate and construction paper. As accessories, strings of hearts and beads could be attached to it. The exquisite crown would surely excite the children with a princely and fairytale touch on Valentine’s Day.

Another wonderful craft idea for children would be to fill an empty baby food jar with a cinnamon-sugar mixture and candies. The lid of this jar is covered with paper cupcake holders and red hearts that are placed on it. “Happy Valentine's Day!” is written on an address label that is stuck at the outside of the jar. Besides this, a fuzzy bear craft would keep the kids busy for Valentine’s Day.

There are many more crafts for Valentine’s Day. The list is unending. In short, any simple handwork could be transformed as a craftwork for Valentine’s Day. In an age where ready-made crafts and gifts are the order of the day, and time is a constraint, simple and unique handmade crafts could add that special touch of exclusivity to Valentine’s Day.

Valentines Day provides detailed information on Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts, Valentine's Day Gift Baskets, Valentine's Day Cards and more. Valentines Day is affiliated with Mexican Holidays.

Valentine’s Gift Ideas for Kids

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Kids love any occasion where they get presents. Valentine’s Day is no different. Let them know about the meaning of this particular day through the gifts that you give to them. Here are a few ideas for Valentine’s Day gifts for kids.

Kids give quirky valentines to kids in their class. Let them know that these valentines are not about romantic love but friendships. Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love for one another which includes more than romantic love. Parent-to-child and friend-to-friend relationships are also important to highlight on this day.

Wake them up with a gift basket. Kids like to dig for things. Hide as many treats as you can in the basket for them to find. Include books, coloring books, crayons, stickers and the like in the basket. Toys are also good additions in a Valentine’s Day basket.

Are your kids into sports? They are always in need of new equipment. A basket filled with sports-related gear gets them excited. My son is into skateboarding. An idea for a skateboarder would be a new set of wheels, shoe laces, elbow pads or a helmet.

Kids usually don’t get to spend nearly enough time with mom and dad. When both parents are busy, precious family time can be lost. More than one child in the house reduces that time even further. Kids like one-on-one time with parents so that they can feel special.

This Valentine’s Day, award them with that special time. For girls, why not make an appointment for a spa day with your daughter(s). Show them how to relax and spend time with mom. Talk about girly things as you get a manicure and a pedicure. Ask them how school is going during lunch. Don’t set a timetable. Clear your schedule for the entire day so that nothing will interrupt the bonding time.

For boys, time spent with dad can be like winning the lottery. When planning a special day like this, don’t forget to consider what your son would like to do, even if it is something that you are not particularly interested in. As a parent, you get to be the one trying a new thing this time. Spend the day at the arcade playing video games, fishing, playing baseball, or whatever else your child wants to do so long as you are doing it together.

Take them to the store for a new outfit. They may want a new pair of pants, shoes, or a dress. At Christmas we give them clothes that they need, but on Valentine’s Day they can get something that they want. No matter how outrageous it seems, let them be in control of their wardrobe for one day.

Let your kids be king or queen of the castle for a day. They get to have their parents do the chores for them on Valentine’s Day. They can stay up later and watch movies if they wish. It's only for one day, so don’t worry about a loss of sleep.

Kids are thrilled about any occasion that they get to celebrate something. Teach them about showing love on Valentine’s Day through the gifts that you give.

Planning the Perfect Valentine's Day

Next to the Christmas season, Valentines Day is the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. In fact, Hallmark Cards estimates that over 192 million Valentines Day cards are exchanged every February. Do you have any plans for the fourteenth day of February of the following year? We all trouble in choosing the right remembrance be it a card or a gift for this special day. It has to be something special because the gifts for this occasion are usually given to potential sweethearts.

Having a nice dinner with your special someone is one of the best things that can be done on Valentines Day. It is also special for platonic relationships because this occasion is not exclusive for lovers. Many restaurants also have special menus that are dedicated to this occasion.

I’m glad that there are Valentines Day gift specialists these days. You can simply give them a little information about your favorite valentine and they will come up with a gift that you might not have thought about. These companies focus on unusual gift ideas in order make your special someone feel very important.

Getting the recipients something they would never buy for themselves is the key to giving gifts for any occasion. We often want to have things that we consider to be too foolish, expensive, or extravagant to buy for ourselves. Try to think of a Valentines Day gift that you would never get for yourself and then think about it from the other person’s point of view.

If you are a lady, then you should not be shy in expressing your love for someone during Valentines Day. Studies reveal that there are 120 single men who are in their 20s for every 100 single women of the same ages. However, the ratio changes at an older age. There are 33 single men age 65 or older for every 100 single women of the same ages. You should take this occasion as a special opportunity to show your love for your special someone.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Valentine's Day. Visit our site for more helpful information about Valentine's Day and other similar topics.

Valentine’s Gift Ideas for Teens

By the time kids reach their teen years, so many things that parents do can seem sappy and dull. Gifts on Valentine’s Day can become one of those things. This year, give a gift that shows your teen that parental love is still a cool thing to have in their lives.

Teens these days are into vintage and eclectic things. This includes their clothes, shoes and gadgets. Think of a throwback gift that you can surprise your teen with that will get you a hug or at least a smile of gratitude. Remember the Rubik’s cube or the magic 8 ball? These gifts are especially fun for a girl.

What about your son? He could use a Nerf football or basketball. Every boy should have an over-the-door basketball hoop in his room. Making a few baskets helps him to think over his problems or just let off some steam. He would enjoy the Rubik’s cube or a Simon game. Nowadays they make these kinds of games pocket size and keychain size.

When I was a teen, my walls were covered in posters. The posters were of celebrity idols and movie scenes. Find out what kids of movies, music celebrities, and games your kids like and get them some new posters. They’ll be surprised that you even know where to find those posters.

Gifts from the heart show that you are interested and care about their life and their passions. They may be interested in the guitar this week. Even though you have a sneaking suspicion that next week they will want to be an artist, give them a gift certificate for a few free guitar lessons. At least they will have a chance to try it out and see if they really want to play the guitar.

Girls and guys like jewelry. Surprise your daughter with a necklace and earring set in the color of her birthstone. Boys are usualy more into silver rings or necklaces. Instead of choosing a piece of jewelry for him, get a gift card to the jewelry store and let him pick out his own accessories.

Create some cards that they can redeem for free services around the house. If your teen is on the younger side, they might appreciate getting to stay up an extra half hour, a free movie, or a sleepover with friends. Older teens would like an extra half hour or hour out with friends on the weekends or extra driving time in the family car.

A good way to choose gifts for Valentine’s Day for your teen is to look at what they didn’t get from their Christmas list. If there was something that you couldn’t get at that time, you can choose from those things and get a Valentine’s Day gift. This could be an electronic toy or even a new cell phone.

Give a special card to your teen. This card doesn’t have to come from a store. If you have a card creating program on your computer, you can make it as lavish as you want. Express to them how you feel about them and how proud of them you are. A card is a keepsake that they can look back on in days, months and years to come and remind themselves of your feelings.

Valentine’s Day affections don’t have to be lost on your teen. Think of something that would interest them. They may act annoyed by it, but deep down they will cherish the sentiment forever.

Giving Flowers for Valentine’s Day

Flowers are undoubtedly one of the most popular gifts for a man to give to a woman on Valentine’s Day. In fact flowers are so popular that many men typically give flowers along with other gifts as an addition to the gift as opposed to giving flowers as the gift. However, many men often make the mistake of thinking red roses are the only gifts they can give to their loved on Valentine’s Day. This is simply not true. There are not only other flowers which are appropriate but there are also a number of different ways to give flower related gifts. This article will provide some great information on how to give flowers on Valentine’s Day.

Roses can be very expensive on Valentine’s Day but they are not the only flowers you can give on this special day. Any type of flower which your partner really likes and will appreciate can be an appropriate gift on Valentine’s Day. In fact your partner may be extremely touched that you knew them well enough to pick out a different type of flower which you knew they would like. This shows that you put a great deal of thought and effort into buying flowers as opposed to buying red roses which may be more expensive but do not require nearly as much effort.

Another way to give the gift of flowers on Valentine’s Day is in the form of potted plants. These last much longer than fresh flowers which means your partner will be able to enjoy the gift for much longer. You will also have the option of choosing from a large variety of different types of plants. If you know what type of plants your partner will like, selecting a plant will be easy. However, even if you are not sure you can simply select a plant which you think your partner will find aesthetically appealing. The one caveat to buying potted plants is that you should seek out a plant which is relatively easy to care for so your partner will not have a difficult time caring for the plant.

You might also want to consider giving artificial flowers on Valentine’s Day. This may not seem overly romantic but artificial flowers are now actually made to look quite lifelike and some women may actually prefer artificial flowers to real flowers. This may be because artificial flowers require very minimal maintenance and do not require any special abilities to maintain the appearance of the flowers. Unlike potted plants which can be difficult to maintain and may die as a result of too much water, not enough water, too much sunlight, not enough sun or any number of factors artificial plants only need to be cleaned and dusted regularly to maintain their appearance.

A final way to give the gift of flowers on Valentine’s Day is to give your partner seeds or bulbs which they can plant in their own backyard. This can be a great deal of fun because it can be something you and your partner can do together. This type of gift is especially a good idea if your partner has an interest in gardening. However, even if your partner does not have much of an interest in gardening you can include a few books on gardening and a homemade coupon offering your services for an afternoon of work in the garden. This will make the give more special and will allow the two of you to spend some quality time together planting the flowers.

For Guys, Luxury Equals Romance in Valentine’s Gifts

(ARA) – Sure they want you to think they’re tough, strong and capable. But when it comes to Valentine’s Day gifts, guys like a little romance just as much as the gals do. And for many men, nothing says “romance” like luxury – from their grooming items right down to their power tools.

But guys also want to think their gift is practical as well. This Valentine’s Day, women can woo their men with luxury “upgrades” to everyday items their fellows either already own or forgot to put on their Christmas wish list.

Here are five guy-friendly gift ideas, powered up for luxury:

1. Write on – Once the fallback gift of choice for college-bound high school grads, the ubiquitous ball and pen set has gone upscale. Luxury lines like Mont Blanc have helped put pens back on the gift-giving radar for anyone who wants to deliver a memorable gift that makes the statement: “I cared enough to spend a lot.” Practical yet luxurious at the same time, an upscale writing implement is a great gift idea for any guy who works in an office.

2. More power – He’s got one drill for carpentry work, another for handyman tasks and still another to power through concrete. He’d probably love to replace them all with the “Porsche” of power tools, a sleek, lightweight drill that handles multiple tasks with the smooth operation of a high-performance vehicle. The Multihammer P’7911 by Metabo Corp. was designed by the same people who make the legendary sports cars. Log on to www.metabousa.com , or call (800) 638-2264 to learn more and find out where to buy.

3. Sleep on it – When it comes to relaxation and fun, napping trumps extreme sports for many guys. If your guy sacks out on the sofa every Sunday afternoon, consider giving him his own upgraded napping accessory in the form of a hammock. They’re not just for sailors and folks who live on Martha’s Vineyard anymore. You can find models now to fit virtually any décor – outdoor or indoor – and body type.

4. The way to his heart – Food remains one of the most personal, intimate and happily-received gifts for any occasion. This year, though, forego the box of chocolates and opt for a more manly food gift, such as a membership with a gourmet steak purveyor that delivers direct to your door or a beer-of-the-month club.

5. Speaking of that – Modern guys know cooking is a manly sport, especially if the activity involves a grill. Consider replacing his beat-up charcoal-fired model with a sleek, upscale stainless steel gas grill. Or, if he’s already got the grill of his dreams, supplement his bliss with luxury accessories, like personalized grill mitts and aprons, a digital meat thermometer, grill press or a light that attaches to the grill for late-night barbecuing.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Expert Ideas for Surprising Someone this Valentine’s Day

(ARA) - There’s a reason why generation after generation has found truth in the saying, “You’ll find love when you stop looking for it,” or, “Love will happen when you least expect it.” The idea of love sneaking up on you and letting the “forces that be” take over in the love department has worked for many couples.

The belief that spontaneity can bring good things in life has also proven true in the non-romantic sense as well. There are countless stories of people receiving a card from a friend at a time when a quick pick-me-up was very much needed and appreciated. It’s the pay-it-forward idea coupled with the golden rule that often produces these pleasant and sometimes much-needed surprises in life.

This Valentine’s Day, trend spotters are expecting the unexpected to play a big part in how people celebrate on February 14th. Now that the holiday encompasses all kinds of love, not just romantic love, the element of surprise is likely to be a theme for many gifts and celebrations whether for friends, for family or just for fun.

Here are a few creative ideas from the holiday experts at American Greetings for surprising someone this Valentine’s Day.

Co-Workers and Colleagues -- Americans often spend more time at work than with their family. For the many times your colleagues have been there for you both personally and professionally, they deserve to know how much their support is appreciated. On Valentine’s Day, bring back the elementary school valentine exchange and hand out cards to everyone in the office for a quick pick-me-up and a guaranteed smile. And, as with any office, food is always a welcome treat. Stop by a local bakery for fresh bagels, muffins and donuts on Valentine’s Day for an instant morale lift.

Family Members -- Showing love and appreciation for family is a growing aspect of Valentine’s Day. In fact, the Greeting Card Association found that family members other than husbands and wives receive more than half of all valentines sent, and children are the most popular family recipients. Mom will appreciate a heartfelt card and some well-deserved R&R even more than jewelry and perfume. Plan an impromptu lunch date with dad or bring him his favorite snack to let him know you’re thinking of him. And just like the coupon booklets kids create for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, consider making one for them that’s full of vouchers for one-on-one time with you, a night of board games and an afternoon of cooking or crafting together.

Friends -- Research shows that celebrating female friendships is an increasingly popular aspect of February 14th now that more women are living without spouses and people are staying single longer, making the bonds of friendship even stronger for many. For a creative way to show your love for your circle of friends, organize an old-time sleepover complete with brunch comfort food, flannel PJs and an evening of chic flicks. For a big laugh, break out old yearbooks or scroll through online photo albums to relive your most memorable moments together.

For Anyone Who Brightens Your Day -- Valentine’s Day isn’t just about reaching out to your closest family and friends. In many ways, it is a great time to say thanks to the people who make your day brighter and your life a little easier. Surprise the barista who makes your morning latte the minute you walk in the door with a card that simply says, “You sweeten my world. Happy Heart Day,” and your personal message of thanks. Let the bus driver who takes you to work, or your kids to school, know how much you appreciate him or her with a week’s worth of breakfast, like fresh-baked coffee cake or a loaf of homemade banana bread. And don’t forget your office handyperson who always keeps the place looking good, no matter what you and the staff dish out. A box of chocolates or a lunch out of the office can go a long way in showing someone how much they are appreciated year-round.

For The One You Love -- While celebrating romance at Valentine’s Day is nothing new, there are some new ways to say, “I love you.” After all, a break from the routine can be the best gift ever. For the music lover, create a playlist of his or her favorite songs or “your songs,” then upload them to their music player or burn onto CD and place on the front seat of their car on February 14. If your family is comprised of several four-legged, furry friends, send your loved one a cute valentine from the dog or cat. The love of Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a one-day celebration, either. Give your valentine a week’s worth of love with a note in his or her briefcase or lunch bag every day leading up to February 14th. Reveal your plans for a Valentine’s Day celebration in the final card.

Surprising someone on Valentine’s Day is easy with the perfect cards and gifts for every special person on your list from American Greetings. Not only will the recipient get a pick-me-up in their day; you’ll also get the satisfaction of knowing you made someone smile and feel appreciated. Visit www.americangreetings.com/retailers for store locations.

Courtesy of ARAcontent