It’s sad to throw away Christmas cards. There’s a bit of guilt when you don’t keep some of them. Hoarding them in a box for years seems as wasteful as tossing them out. You can save some as keepsakes or reuse a few. How have you reused cards?
Here are a few ideas.

GIFT TAGS:

Cut sections into small gift tags for next year. Cut cards into whatever geometric shapes you like or use cookie cutters as a template to cut them into holiday themed shapes. One reader, Kim from Florida, shares: “I used some to decorate goodie bags. I cut out the card front (or picture portion of it) with decorative edged scissors, glued it to the front of a brown paper lunch bag, put the goodies inside, turned the top down a couple of times and punched two holes through, and tied it closed with curling ribbon.”

BOOKMARKS:

Cut the prettiest parts of the card into the shape of a bookmark (roughly 1-1/2 inches by 6 inches). Use a hole punch and punch a hole at the top. Add a piece of yarn or ribbon as a tassel.

LACING CARDS:

Glue the card closed. Use a hole punch to punch holes around the edge of the card. Provide shoelaces. Young children can use these to weave through the holes and practice small motor skills. If the holes tear, cut the cards and make small puzzles.

TABLE DECORATION:

Make placemats by cutting off the pretty side of Christmas cards. Place it between a cheap vinyl place mat and a piece of Contact paper and trim excess from the edges. Make a holiday tablecloth by buying a clear vinyl tablecloth and use invisible tape to adhere the cards face down on the tablecloth so they show through the vinyl.

NEW CARDS:

Cut the fronts off and use as postcards (be sure to cut to 4 inches by 6 inches, postcard size, if mailing) or use as recipe cards.

DECOUPAGE:

Use for craft projects. For example, use ModPodge and add a Christmas card collage to a wooden tray bought at a craft store. Use to serve food or drinks next Christmas.

ORNAMENTS:

Cut a Christmas card to fit inside a lid from a glass jar. You can paint the lid or glue glitter or sequins around the edge. Glue the card cutout into the lid. Visit www.junkmailgems.com/DIY_Ornament.html for a cute Christmas card ornament tutorial, too.

SCRAPBOOKING:

Use them when creating a new layout. Frame a card front or simply cut the front as a matting for a frame, too.

LISTS:

Use a few for shopping lists. It can be for routine shopping, or save them to jot down Christmas gift ideas in the upcoming year.

LEFTOVER CARDS:

Sometimes you have leftover cards that you bought to send out. You might not want to send the exact same cards the following year. You can keep them for a couple of years and send them. Or swap with a few friends during your next get-together.

DONATE:

Donate your cards to St Jude’s Ranch’s recycled card program (stjudesranch.org/help_card.php). Children make new cards by using the fronts of donated cards and adding new card backs. They offer the following tips:
– All types of greeting cards are used.
– Only the card front can be used. (Please check to be sure the back side is clear of any writing, etc.)
– They can’tt accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards.
– 5 inches by 7 inches or smaller is preferred.
You can mail them to:
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude’s Street
Boulder City, NV 89005
877-977-SJRC (7572)
You can buy cards from them, too. Visit www.stjudesranch.org/store.

photo by Marina Pics

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for chocolate, and it’s never too early to plan for the sweet stuff. These recipes are all quick and easy to prepare. The first two make a single serving, so they’ll work well whether you celebrate with someone else or alone. Simply double the recipe for two. One of the following desserts is made in a slow cooker, so you can start it midday and it will be warm and ready for after-dinner consumption. The last two recipes make enough for seconds. You’ll want to keep them handy because you’ll be asked to make them again soon.

Cake in a Mug

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips, optional
a splash of vanilla

Put the dry ingredients in a mug, and mix well. Add the egg, and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil, and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again. Microwave for three minutes. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed! Allow to cool, and tip the cake onto a plate if desired — or eat right from the cup. Enjoy! — Patty A., Utah

Chocolate-Peanut-Butter Spread

1 tablespoon smooth or crunchy peanut butter
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon cocoa
few drops water (boiled and cooled)
few drops vanilla, optional

In a cup, place the peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, cocoa and a few drops of water. Add vanilla, if desired. Stir vigorously until blended, and add more drops of water until consistency is reached for spreading. Spread on bread to desired thickness. — Donna, Canada

Slow-Cooker Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 box instant chocolate pudding
8 ounces sour cream
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water

Mix all the ingredients together well. Spray the slow cooker well with nonstick spray. Pour the batter into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for six hours. Serve with ice cream. Cook’s note: I slid a sharp knife around the edge of the cake, and it slid out quite nicely onto a plate. — Pip, e-mail

Chocolate Layered Dessert

Crust
1 stick butter
3/4 cup pecans
1 cup flour

Filling
1 cup powdered sugar
12 ounces Cool Whip
8 ounces cream cheese
1 small box of chocolate pudding (make as pudding)
1 small box of vanilla pudding (make as pudding)

Melt butter in a 13-by-9-inch pan in a 375 F preheated oven. Add the pecans and flour. Mix well, and spread out. Stick back in the oven until slightly browned. Let cool.
Mix 1 cup confectioners’ sugar with 6 ounces Cool Whip and cream cheese. Spread all over the crust, add the chocolate pudding (make the pudding first) spread, and then add the vanilla pudding (make first), and over the top add 6 ounces Cool Whip and pecans. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Optional: Use your favorite pudding flavors, such as butterscotch, banana, lemon, etc. — T.P., New Mexico

Chocolate-Peanut-Butter Balls

1-1/2 cups peanut butter
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 cups confectioners’ sugar
4 cups milk-chocolate chips or chocolate candy wafers

In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and confectioners’ sugar. Roll into 1-inch balls, and place on a wax-paper-lined cookie sheet. Press a toothpick into the top of each ball, and chill in the freezer for a half-hour or the refrigerator for an hour to firm them. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler, in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water or slowly in a microwave. Stir frequently until smooth and fully melted. Dip the chilled peanut-butter balls into chocolate. Remove toothpick. Put back on a wax-paper-lined cookie sheet, and refrigerate until serving. — Kimberly, New York

photo by Rubber slippers in Italy

Chocolate is the perfect way to end a romantic dinner on a sweet note. Instead of buying dessert for Valentine’s Day, bake it yourself. Here are three decadent chocolate recipes that are better than a box of chocolates and are sure to warm hearts. They’re impressive enough for a special occasion but simple and delicious enough to make anytime you’re looking for a cure for a chocolate craving.

Chocolate Bundt Cake

1 (18-1/4 ounce) box chocolate-cake mix
1 (6-ounce) package instant chocolate-pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups mini milk-chocolate chips

Chocolate-Fudge Glaze

3/4 cup semisweet-chocolate chips
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs and water. Stir in the chocolate chips, and pour batter into a well-greased 12-cup Bundt pan. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Test with toothpick. Cool cake.
In a double boiler over hot water, combine chocolate chips, butter and corn syrup. Stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth, then add vanilla. Spread warm glaze over top of cake, letting it drizzle down the sides.
Optional: Microwave chocolate chips for 30-second intervals, and stir in between until melted. — Brenda, Missouri

Chocolate-Kiss Snowballs

1 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped nuts
chocolate-kisses candy
powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 375 F. Cream together butter, sugar and vanilla. Stir in flour and nuts. Shape dough around chocolate kisses using about 1 tablespoon of dough. Place on lightly greased (or parchment-lined) cookie sheets, and bake for about 12 minutes. Remove and roll in powdered sugar. — Holly, New York

photo by nsdis

Chocolate-Covered-Cherry Cookies

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained, reserve juice

Topping:
1 (6-ounce) package semisweet-chocolate chips
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
reserved cherry juice

In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Mix well, and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Mix until well combined and smooth. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place cookie balls on ungreased baking sheet. Indent the center of dough ball with thumb. Drain cherries well, and reserve juice. Place a cherry in the center indention of each cookie.

In small saucepan, combine chocolate chips and sweetened, condensed milk. Heat over low heat, and stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of reserved cherry juice. Spoon 1 teaspoon of the topping over each cherry. Bake at 350 F for 10 minutes. — Amy, Ohio

Are you baking for Valentine’s day?

See also:
What not to do for Valentine’s Day
Romance on a budget
Show her love not the money

photo by kimberlykv

Are you ready for Valentine’s Day? Don’t wait until the last minute. Desperation leads to cliche gifts gone wrong, like a half-dead rose or driving all over town trying to find a table at a restaurant. If you goofed on Christmas, you’ve got a golden opportunity to make up for it. Don’t blow it! The day doesn’t have to be fancy. But think of the other person and not yourself. While you might like pink cupcakes or fishing rods, it doesn’t mean they do.
Here are a few things you might not want to do.

TIE A BOW: Wrapping ribbon around your waist isn’t a wise choice. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Rethink your options. No, lotion isn’t an option.

LINGERIE OR UNDERWEAR: Unless it’s requested and you have all the specifics, don’t do it. He can do without the cupid pink and red boxers, and she can go without lingerie that’s too big, too small or unwanted.

STUFFED ANIMALS AND BALLOONS: We’re adults, right? Save your money. Most men don’t want these delivered to their job. Most women would prefer something more thoughtful.

FAT-FREE ANYTHING: Don’t buy fat-free candy or low-calorie anything. Bad idea. Along these lines, pass on fitness equipment, workout videos, a bathroom scale or anything to do with weight loss. Even if she wants a Wii Fit, give it another time. So maybe she likes cows, pigs or hippos. Walk right by these items on Valentine’s Day.

VACUUM: Even if it’s deluxe. The day before or the day after, but not the day of. While many women will love a practical gift, very few want to think about cleaning on a romantic day.

RAZOR: Don’t give anything that has to do with hair removal.

LOW-VALUE GIFT CARD: There’s a difference between spending five bucks and giving five bucks to your sweetie and telling them to get something nice. Unless you know there’s something they want, don’t give a low-value gift card. They ‘ll be disappointed and will end up spending more when they go to use it.

SAME GIFT OR REGIFT: Do not give your loved one the same gift you gave to others. For example, if you gave your mom, sister and daughter a mum plant, don’t give your wife a mum plant. Along these lines, don’t give others a better gift than you give her. If you had a work party, a napkin-wrapped leftover treat isn’t going to go over well. Leftover Christmas candy isn’t a good idea, either.

CARD JUST SIGNED: Put some thought into it. At least write a sentence or two.

FAST FOOD: Unless you’re re-creating your first date, avoid fast-food joints. They truly don’t want fries with that.

PETS: Don’t ever give a pet without permission. Pets don’t make the perfect surprise. They need good homes with someone who can care for them properly.

See also:
Romance on a budget
Show her love not the money

If you have a funny worst Valentine’s Day story, let me know.

photo by erix

Valentine’s Day can be the most frustrating holiday. I see the tension rise as couples scramble to find the perfect romantic gift idea that isn’t a cliche or cheap and tacky. Most can’t afford luxury gifts, so the pressure is on to express their love within their means. It seems ridiculous. I feel sorry for some men who have to somehow come through on this single day, but at the same time I feel sorry for women who wait for a sign of affection once a year. In many cases, men simply can’t win because some women get selfish and make demands or have high expectations.

In the past, I’ve offered suggestions such as a candlelit dinner at home, renting movies, homemade desserts or a handwritten letter. While these ideas are great frugal alternatives to traditional Valentine’s Day ideas, I decided to get to the heart of the matter and ask frugal women readers what their most romantic moments included, what gifts they don’t want and what they wished would happen. The most romantic moments didn’t include candy, flowers or jewelry. Most women wanted a heartfelt gesture and to feel valued and connected. I’ve gathered the most popular responses and ways to help make it special, but it’s up to you to pour your heart into it.

THUMBS UP
Compliments: Sincerely compliment her on her appearance, level of care for others or even your home. This can make her feel cherished and appreciated. Test this out with any of the ideas below and you’re golden.

Surprise lunch: Taking time out of your busy schedule is spontaneous and unexpected. Sometimes relationships can feel predictable. This is a good way to express yourself and shake things up a bit. Don’t talk about work.

Time to sleep in: With family demands, a day to sleep in is a dream come true and rejuvenating. Giving her time to free herself from responsibilities can prevent her from feeling overwhelmed with things to do. She’s able to relax.

Play with the kids: Watching you playing with your children can remind her how much she loves you.

Doing a chore she always does: Washing dishes, shopping for groceries, cooking dinner or doing the laundry fits the bill. It’s one less thing she has to do, and if you don’t help out often enough, the effort scores brownie points.

Sitting through a show she wants to watch: Who would think something as simple as making it through a romantic comedy without complaining or falling asleep could rank as being romantic?

Brushing her hair: Surprisingly, this is often preferred over massages.

Walking and holding hands: If you haven’t held hands in years, it’s possible she misses the affection. Offer to take a walk together, and take her hand in yours.

Talking about goals: Expressing hopes, dreams, goals and talking about the future shows you care about spending your lives together.

Music: Whether it’s a CD in her car, tunes for her iPod, playing music at home while slow dancing or singing a song, you can’t go wrong with music. Bonus points if you remember your song.

THUMBS DOWN
A dozen roses: While many love flowers, the cost of roses can sometimes bring out the worst in a woman.

Balloons: Receiving balloons in the workplace is one thing, but walking in the house with a handful of helium and a stuffed animal might make her feel as if she’s 4 years old. It’s not a birthday or carnival.

A card with just a signature: While a card is thoughtful, don’t simply sign it. Take time to share your feelings. Here are some printable love coupons to help: www.frugalvillage.com/lovecoupons.shtml. Tuck them into a card or letter.

Lingerie: This can lead to disaster if she hasn’t requested it. A mistake such as buying the wrong size will lead to a Valentine’s Day she’ll never forget — and not in a good way.

Gifts like can openers: While many women love receiving practical gifts, I suggest you wait for her birthday or “just because.”

Forget it completely: This is the worst. Even if you’re flat broke, there is no excuse for not at least giving a hug and kiss and telling her she’s loved.

Do You Fondue?

This dipping pot of bubbling goodness is back in style. It’s essential to learn about fondue cooking, so you can cook safely and easily, without any disasters or disappointments. Fondue cooking can be fun and easy by cooking simple recipes. If you have a fondue pot hidden away, dig it out and dust it off. If you don’t own one, they can often be found at thrift stores and garage sales, but even at retail prices, they aren’t too costly.

Types of Pots, Burners and Accessories

Pots:

Stainless steel and Aluminim are used for all types of fondue cooking, but need lower temp for cheese and chocolate, so they don’t burn.
Enamelware/Cast iron pots are used for all types of fondue recipes.
Ceramic pots are typically used for cheese and chocolate.
Metal with nonstick coating for all types of fondue cooking, but some can’t reach a high enough temperature for oil.
Stainless Steel with glass inserts for all types of fondue cooking.
Stainless Steel and Copper with interchangeable inserts for all types of fondue cooking.

Burners and Accessories:

Alcohol burners can be used for chocolate, cheese, broth, and oil.
Candles such as votives and tealights are fine for chocolate, but not ideal for cheese, broth, or oil.
Butane heat is good for chocolate, cheese, broth, and oil
Gel fuel like sterno are best for cheese and chocolate, but aren’t the best choice for broth and oil.
Electric pots can be used for all types of fondue cooking.

The following are suggestions for accessories:

Dipping bowls
Sectioned plates
Color coded fondue forks
Grilling mitt
Tongs
Butter warmer sets

Safety and Etiquette Tips:

Heat on stove and transfer to fondue pot.
Fondue forks are for cooking, dipping, and swirling. They are not used to eat with. Transfer your cooked food on a plate. No one likes a double dipper.
Place your fondue pot on a trivet and not directly on your table.
Don’t move a hot fondue pot and don’t leave it unattended with small children.

Bring on the Food

Types of oils to use:

Canola
Olive Oil
Vegetable Oil
Peanut Oil
Safflower Oil
Corn Oil

Cheeses commonly used in fondue recipes:

Emmental
Gruyere
Appenzeller
Fontina
Raclette
Cheddar

Food suggestions to dip in chocolate fondue:

Pretzels
Fresh and dried fruits
Cookies
Marshmallows
Pound cake
Biscotti
Graham crackers
Brownies

Fondue Recipes:

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/fondue/fondue.html
http://www.recipehound.com/Recipes/fondue.html
http://allrecipes.com/Search/Recipes.aspx?WithTerm=fondue
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes.php?q=fondue

Dipping Sauces:

http://www.greatpartyrecipes.com/dippingsaucerecipes.html
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/food/2848642/detail.html
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes.php?q=fondue+dipping+sauce

Bonus Tidbits

As you can see, fondue cooking is versatile. It can be enjoyed alone, with family, for a party, or for couples. There’s a fondue tradition that states if food drops from your fork and into the fondue pot, you have to buy wine for the host or kiss the person next to you. This might encourage or discourage your fondue manners.

Additional Tips:

Can use fondue pots to keep gravy, baked beans, soups, or sauces warm.
Can use a crockpot as a fondue pot.
Can use bamboo skewers.
Leftover cheese and meat fondue items can be used in soups, eggs, or served on potatoes. Leftover dessert fondue can be used on ice cream.
Fondue pots can be used as an emergency heat source for cooking during power outages.
Fondue is great served outside or inside and during any season.
Can use a fondue pot as a Chinese Hot Pot
Great for Valentine’s Day

If new to fondue cooking, you might want to start out with broth, oil, or chocolate fondue recipes. If you really want to do cheese, try adding corn starch to prevent the cheese from separating or adding lemon juice or kirsch, so the cheese doesn’t get too stringy.

Enjoy your fondue cooking.

photo by moriza

Valentine’s Day is often synonymous with lush velvety looking red roses and spending big bucks on your sweetie. You’re blinded by advertisements touting the latest luxury jewelry, over-priced flowers, and exquisite five star dining. You can sometimes feel pressure from this single day that is supposed to symbolize and convey your emotion of love to your sweetheart. Expressing your love can be shown with frugal abundance and still create heartfelt memories.

You may not do anything at all because you feel that you can’t afford it. Don’t skip the holiday completely. The following are some traditional ideas and then some frugal alternative tips for inexpensive and thoughtful ways to express that you care without completely emptying your wallet.

Romantic movies

Movies are popular on Valentine’s Day. There isn’t any doubt that this idea rates highly on the snuggle meter.
The following are some movie suggestions:

Sleepless in Seattle
Message in a Bottle
Bridges of Madison County
City of Angels
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Somehere in Time
As Good As IT Gets
Jerry Maquire
Something’s Gotta Give
Amelie

Traditional: Big night out at the theater with the works. Cha-ching

Creatively Frugal: Select a nice romantic comedy for your sweetie. Pop some popcorn, pour your favorite beverage of choice, and light a fire if you’re able to or at least some candles. It’s all about the ambience. You both can cuddle up on the couch or have blankets and pillows out on the floor.

Confectionary Treats

Hard to imagine Valentine’s Day without candy. The holiday is notorious for chocolates. They’re definitely decadent and these treats have been acclaimed to have an aphrodisiac effect. It’s difficult to pass up this romantic suggestion.

Traditional: Godiva chocolates or satin and velvet heart shaped box of chocolates. Oohlala.

Creatively Frugal: Bulk candy or homemade candy, baked goods, or just coffee and a dessert at a quiet cafe.
Here are two great chocolate creations to make yourself.

Chocolate Pretzels
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/getrecipe.zsp?id=104975

Chocolate Popcorn
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/getrecipe.zsp?id=19087

Beautiful Bouquets

Saying “I love you” with flowers can make a lasting impression.

Traditional: A dozen roses with a short lifespan and hefty price. You think you’re smart when you select multi-colored or any color besides red roses, but oops what about all those rose flower meanings? Are you accurately describing your feelings?

Creatively Frugal: Try a single bulb to force such as an amaryllis or tulip, a collection of seed packets for spring planting, or one single flower with the recipient’s favorite hot beverage in the morning.

Festive Feast

A romantic night out can be lovely. You can have reservations made in advance and can get gussied up for an enjoyable evening. Planning the perfect setting complete with candles, wine, and excellent service is so romantic.

Traditional: Expensive restaurant out on the town. The problem is that everyone else has the same idea. You’ll often run into staff that is rushed or crowded parking lots and restaurants. This suggestion has the best of intentions, but lacks privacy and could easily prove to be the least romantic.

Creatively Frugal: Valentine’s Day breakfast versus dinner out or breakfast in bed. So many small details can be created with serving a meal at home. It provides the feeling of appreciation.

You can light small votice candles, use favorite glasses, play soft music, and use cloth napkins. The meal itself doesn’t need to be fancy. Use your creativity. If you don’t have a tray, use a folded tablecloth or a nice basket. By all means, don’t forget to clean up!

Penned Sentiments

Greeting cards are an excellent choice to show you care. There are endless varieties of romance cards. A card is well-received.

Traditional: The perfect card for your valentine. You look through aisles and rows of costly greeting cards and spend hours trying to find the perfect one. Valentine’s Day is the second largest card-giving holiday and that is reflected in the stores. In the mad rush to grab a card and get it delivered, you just sign it “with love”.

Creatively Frugal: Try love coupons, homemade card, handwritten letter, or cut out cartoons from newspaper and add a few words to it. It’s so much more sincere in your own words from your heart. It’s all about the presentation. Don’t just toss your handwritten sentiment at your love.

Delightful Pampering

Cupid’s arrow is sure to hit when you give your love a day of overindulgence. Being carefree is so appealing.

Traditional: Spending a ton of cash on a spa day gift certificate for your sweetie.

Creatively Frugal: Make a comfort box. In the box add a cd, scented lotions, bubblebath, hairbrush, candles, tea, cocoa, coffee, book, bookmark, and give a massage from you.

As you can see, creating loving and memorable moments doesn’t have to carry exorbitant prices. It’s a day of expressing your affection and doesn’t have to break the bank. Traditional romance can be nice, but it is often overrated. Being creatively frugal is a gift of the heart. Give your loved one the gift of your time and thoughtfulness.

If you’re desperate and reading this, I’ll leave you with a small list of last minute ideas:

Dance to a slow song.
Take a walk and hold hands.
Take a drive and tell your love your feelings from your heart.
Go to a local playground and play on the swings.
Read to your sweetie or recite a romantic song.
Add red to the day with red cookies, clothing, candles, lipstick, red fruit, etc.
Sit and talk and reminisce and talk about your dreams together.
Play a board game or assemble a puzzle together.
Watch the sunrise or sunset together.
Find a trophy at the thrift store to give.
Place notes in hidden places in the house for them to find. It’s extra special when they dont find them all and come across them after the holiday is over.
Frame a picture of the two of you or a place you both have enjoyed together, or make a collage of sentimental tokens collected during your relationship.
Balloons are nice gift. Keep in mind that you can tuck a note inside a latex balloon before filling it or attach an item to a balloon.

Happy Valentine’s Day and here’s wishing that love fills the air as you celebrate with your dearest.

Show her love, not the money.

As seen on Dr Laura http://www.drlaura.com/sah/budget.html?mode=view&tile=1&id=11194

photo by butterflysha