Welcome to the Romance Toolbox!

Romantic Gifts for Coffee Lovers
Many people like coffee but some love it to distraction.  These coffee connoisseurs know the brands that they like or the store that makes the best coffee.  If you are looking for gifts for your coffee lover, here are a few ideas.
1.    Coffee Mugs
There’s nothing better than a steaming cup of hot coffee in your favorite mug.  Give them several mugs to choose from so that no matter which mug they use, it is a good one that will bring a smile to their face with each sip.  If they like a certain brand, order coffee mugs with the company’s logo for the coffee lover in your life.

2.    Membership to a Coffee Club
Some coffee lovers really enjoy trying new flavors.  One of the best ways to do so is through a membership in a coffee club.  Boca Java is a coffee membership club that offers new flavors each season.  They provide fresh ground coffee or whole bean depending on the subscriber’s preferred tastes.  They ship every four, seven, or twelve weeks.  If your coffee lover doesn’t like the membership they are free to cancel at any time.

3.    Coffee Machine
Nothing says love to a coffee guru like a new coffee machine.  Get him or her the latest machine that does everything.  There are brew stations that make cup by cup of coffee or a certain number of cups.  You can purchase a machine that grinds the beans before it brews or, give them an espresso/cappuccino maker to enjoy drinks at home when they doesn’t feel like heading out for their favorite cup.

4.    Coffee Gift Basket
Gift baskets are like Christmas every day.  They can contain several gifts in one package.  You can purchase a gift basket online, in a coffee store, or come up with one of your own.  For those who like a variety of coffee, don’t forget to add several bags of their favorite flavors.  Add a cute coffee mug, some flavored spoons and creamers, etc. Including shirts, pens, and other items that cater to his or her coffee cravings will help them to remember your gift with items that are useful beyond just the coffee itself.

5.    Flavored Spoons and Such
Sweet treats are a complement to just about any cup of coffee.  Flavored spoons that are covered in chocolate and other flavors enhance the coffee, not to mention they are fun too.  Instead of powdered creamer, offer the coffee lover tasty flavors like caramel crème and French vanilla for his or her first morning cup of Joe.

Coffee doesn’t have to be boring anymore.  If you love a coffee lover, make their experience of drinking coffee special with a few choice gifts like the ones above.

Valentine Card Ideas for Moms and Dads

When kids are first introduced to Valentine’s Day it is by their parents.  They are told that it is a day to show those we love how we feel about them.  Until they learn about Cupid and the type of love he represents, they cherish the love of friends and family above any other.  Because of this Mom and Dad are at the top of their card lists.  Here are some valentine card ideas for parents.

For the youngest kids, cards made of felt are easy to create.  All you need are some pieces of felt, glue sticks, and foam letters.  Children will need your help spelling out the love-filled message but even misspellings are an expression of love.  Felt cards can be hand delivered without the need for an envelope. 

What is one of the biggest canvases in the house?  You guessed it, the refrigerator.  Toy stores sell those magnetic letters and shapes that are used on the refrigerator to teach spelling and sentence formation.  Let the kids create a card that can be enjoyed for more than just the holiday with tons of magnetic letters.  Everyone that comes in the kitchen can see their testament of love for Mom and Dad.

Love is not just a word, it is a declaration.  In medieval times, declarations were written on scrolls and read to everyone in the town.  Kids can do the same for mom and dad.  Pre-printed scrolls are available where kids can write in the name of mom and dad and sign their own name at the bottom. 

If they want to make their own scrolls at home all they’ll need is a long sheet of paper, glue, and two paper towel rolls.  The paper towel rolls will act like the rollers for the scroll.  The kids can decorate the scroll card in any way with their own special message.  The top and the bottom edges of the paper are then glued to a paper towel roll.  After the glue dries, roll the scroll up and tie it closed with a decorative ribbon.

Through the ages, poems have always said what the heart was feeling.  Kids learn how to construct poems in school.  Encourage them to express their love with words.  You’ll be tickled and brought to tears by some of the messages they come up with.  Let them paste their poems into a homemade card or fold the poem in half and let it become the card all of it’s own. 

Older kids can use the wonders of technology to create a unique card on the computer.  Card programs allow the user to use any font, color, and style they want.  The cards can be blank or come complete with sayings.  On the back, the kids can even put their signature as the creator of the card just like a Hallmark. 

Kids are always on the lookout for new ways to say something nice to their parents.  These ideas will get them started.  If you want a new twist on the Valentine’s Day card for kids to give to their parents, definitely try some of the ideas mentioned above.

Why Romance is Important for Moms

Kids can put a crimp in the romantic portion of our lives. As mothers and wives, we lose the second in favor of the first. But, any expert will tell you that romance is a key ingredient to a successful marriage. Sometimes it takes us really focusing to be sure the hugs and kisses don’t stop with motherhood.

As women, we are a complicated breed. Maybe that adds to the mystery, but not if it makes it harder for us to figure out ourselves. In general, our emotions are tied to our sense of romance. When we feel tired or taken for granted by our spouse, romance becomes the last thing in the world we want to pursue.

When we are dating or just after the wedding, everything is great. We enjoy the company of our spouse and even have sex several times a week. Life couldn’t be better, right?

Love is hard work. Granted, when we have children, they carry away our focus with their twinkling eyes and button noses. For a time, romance is suspended, but that is to be expected. The problem comes in when the persona of “mom” overtakes that of “wife” and “lover.” Instead of continuing those roles, we instead give our husbands another mother.

I hear stories on talk shows all the time about couples that wake up after thirty years of marriage to find they are lying next to a stranger. It doesn’t happen overnight I assure you. It takes time to grow away from your spouse. Unfortunately, we just don’t realize it’s happening until we wake up that morning.

The marriage is the center of the entire family’s relationship. There was husband and wife before there was mother and father. Mom, getting back to the beginning is important. Kids will grow up and it will be back to you and your mate. It’s easier to handle what goes on outside of the home in our daily lives when there is a great person waiting at home who understands us.

When the kids tire us out, we can relax with our spouse. As two halves of a whole, we complete each other. With the kids, it seems like we are nothing more than a driver for hire or the maid. We wouldn’t mind the maid so much if we felt the love and appreciation from our spouse. Romance is a big part of that feeling.

Romance is more than sex. In addition to the visual of a maid, some women feel that all they are is a vehicle for sex. Romance involves talking, cuddling, kissing, and more.

Lack of touch and acknowledgment by a spouse is the underlying cause of a lot of marriage breakups. The reason that couples’ give for an impending divorce may be irreconcilable differences on paper, but it started with a break in the flow between the husband and the wife. Not taking the time to grow together as the years go by is a mistake that can be rectified with some work.

Without romantic gestures, moms lose the woman inside of them. Life is about balance. That balance shifts a little when kids come along, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.

5 Tips for Planning Romantic Getaways on a Budget

What’s stopping you from enjoying fun in the sun surrounded by crystal clear waters?  For many the top reason they can’t enjoy the romantic getaway of their dreams is due to the price tag.  When people think of romantic getaways, they think of faraway places in exotic locales and normally these types of vacations aren’t very friendly on the wallet.  Don’t give up though.  These are not the only romantic getaways to be enjoyed.

Instead of thinking of a budget as restrictive, think of it as the first step in your plan to enjoy a worry-free romantic getaway.  Look to your budget as a friend who helps keep you in check, not the enemy keeping you from experiencing the romantic getaway you want.  These helpful hints will guide you in planning a romantic getaway on a budget.

1. Plan Early - The best deals are normally found far in advance of the trip.  By planning ahead you may find that you can afford to budget a romantic jaunt once every season instead of just once a year.  Once a month is also doable if you keep the trips simple.
   
   
2. Rent a Car - Cheaper rental prices can be found if you pick up the car on Thursday and return it on a Monday.  This is a good way to travel without adding mileage to your own car.  For locations that are not too far away but require a bit of time driving, use the road trip to spend time talking and enjoying the scenery along the way.
   
   
3. Explore Your Own State - We often think of a getaway as leaving our state, but any change of location that is relaxing and romantic is a great way for couples to spend time together.  Check out the mountains and beaches in your state.  Each state has points of interest.  For example, in the state of North Carolina, there are romantic cabins and hotels in mountainous areas like Asheville.  There are also beachfront views in Wilmington and the Outer Banks.
   
   
4. Take a Bus Tour - Bus tours take trips to many popular places.  These are coach tour buses with comfortable seating.  Many times the cost of the trip includes hotel rooms and food.  You can take a weekend trip to wine country, casinos, or other locations without spending a penny on gas or having the dreaded worry of doing the driving.
   
   
5. All Inclusive Resorts - If the romantic getaway is to last three or four days, research all inclusive trips.  With these deals, airfare, hotel, and food are included.  A number of activities are included in the package so you don’t have to leave the resort if you don’t want to.  Mexico, the Caribbean, and Hawaii are just a few places that have all-inclusive resorts.
   
   

A budget doesn’t have to stop you from spending time together away from it all.  In fact, planning ahead makes the trip more romantic, because money is the last thing you have to think about.  Instead you can concentrate on each other, which is the whole point of a romantic getaway in the first place, right?

Gifts for the Puzzle Lover

Puzzles have been around for hundreds of years.  They tease the brain and give us hours of enjoyment.  The puzzle lover is always up for new challenges.  If your guy loves puzzles, here are some ideas for gifts that he would love to receive.

1. Puzzle Books
   Puzzle books allow him to take his love of puzzles on the morning subway train ride, to the lunch room, and anywhere else he may go.  Crossword puzzle books or word search keep the mind occupied during periods of time when there is nothing else to do but wait.  The puzzle books can be the size of a notebook or small enough for him to slip into his back pocket.
   
   
2. Keychain Games
   He can hang his favorite game from the ring of keys he carries.  Games like Sudoku, tic-tac-toe, and others can be purchased in these small electronic versions.  Just a warning: If he likes to play it all the time, he may ask you to drive.
   
   
3. Traditional Puzzles
   We’ve all put together a puzzle as a kid.  The most challenging ones were the 500 piece boxes with obscure pictures.  You know the ones that made all but the puzzle fan give up.  Some sites offer custom made puzzles complete with a picture of whatever you wish when you send them a photograph.  Give him a pleasant surprise when he completes the puzzle - a picture of you.
   
   
4. Brainteasers
   Remember the games that we used to get out of the bubble gum machine or at the dollar store?  They were things like the little black plastic squares with interlocking pieces that contained numbers or parts of a picture.  You had to shift them around until the pieces were in the correct order.  He’ll love the fact that you searched far and wide to find the puzzle games that first interested him when he was younger.
   
   
5. Rubik’s Cube
   This has to be the ultimate puzzle.  The only way I could get the thing back to normal was to switch the colored pieces.  Along with the cube, there was an orb and a pyramid that came out as well.  This gift will challenge him for hours.
   
   

Puzzles come in all shapes, sizes, and dimensions these days.  Sharpen his mind and his smile with the latest puzzle on the market.  When he needs a break from the mind boggling of the puzzle be sure you’re there to help him unwind too! 

Scissor-less Valentine Crafts for Toddlers

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful holiday for crafts.  Kids of all ages can get involved in the preparations and celebration.  Toddlers are too young to use scissors safely on their own, but they can still participate in craft making with the family.  Here are some ideas for Valentine’s Day crafts that don’t require the use of scissors by your young ones.

Toddlers like to paint.  They learn in preschool that painting is fun and safe.  Give them some finger paints in red and white and have a good time decorating just about anything. 

With finger paints you have to prepare the area so that the kids have a blast without your house looking like a construction zone.  Dress the kids in play clothes so that they can get messy without ruining their good clothes. 

They can use their little hands to make a heart shape out of their prints.  You can get them to alternate red and white prints or they can mix white and red to make a batch of pink paint for more hearts.  Guide their hands to write words like “I love you” on a piece of construction paper or a poster board.

Toddlers can give the gift of flowers that they have made by themselves.  Give your toddler a variety colors and sizes of tissue paper so that they can make unique bouquets for each of their valentines.  The best thing about tissue paper is that it best resembles a flower when it is crumpled up.  Kids love to rip and crumble things up.  With this craft, they can do those things for fun.  You can crumple with them and let out your inner child too.

Once the paper is sufficiently crumpled, put the sheets together.  Show the kids how to wrap a pipe cleaner around the bundle of tissue paper sheets and fluff them up.  In no time they will look like flowers.  Since pipe cleaners may be hard to manage, it might be a better idea for parents to add the pipe cleaner and let the toddlers shape the flowers.

Craft stores have all sorts of good things that toddlers can use for Valentine’s Day crafting.  Foam shapes come pre-made.  Kids just have to punch them out and apply them to whatever surface they need to.  Instead of using glue, glue sticks are less messy and a toddler can learn to handle them much easier than a bottle of glue. 

You can cut out some pictures of their face and place them in the center of the foam sheet.  After they decorate with the shapes, the craft can be given to grandparents or other family members as a Valentine’s Day card that is unique and special.

Toddlers don’t have to use scissors to make crafts.  Each of the above valentine crafts for toddlers required no scissor use and still they make excellent crafts that are fun and still allow them to be creative.

Ways for Busy Moms to Build Romance into Their Day

Moms, don’t lose yourselves in your kids.  That husband of yours needs to know that you care for him as well.  It’s hard to carve out time for love and kisses when the kids are screaming and the pots are boiling over but, trust me, it will be well worth the effort.

First, don’t get overwhelmed.  Start off with small gestures to get the ball rolling.  If you have been stuck in the mommy rut for a good amount of time, he won’t even see it coming. 

Remember when we were kids?  We scribbled the name of another kid that we liked on our notebooks.  For boys, they resorted to pulling the pigtails of their favorite gal.  Be a kid again and do those puppy love things we all used to do.

Most husbands get dressed and go to work each day.  Slip a note in the pocket of his jacket.  Tell him one thing that makes you love him.  Each week you can give him a new reason for the mad love inside of you. 

Give him a kiss when he leaves.  If your job requires you to leave before him, give him a wet one on the lips while he is still snug in bed.  Kisses are quite underrated.  Remember how even a little kiss gave us goose bumps when we were just getting to know our spouses?  Let them lead the way back to a more romantic relationship.

Greet him at the door after a hard day of work.  This sounds cheesy but it is a nice touch.  He’ll know that someone missed him.  Meet him at the bedroom door later on in the evening if he happens to arrive home before you do. 

Show your love! While most men don’t let their emotions get in the way of their sex lives, gestures of love do move them.  Your show of love gives them a sense of confidence in themselves.  They will be more likely to seek out ways to show love that makes you happy instead of just guessing.

Asking about his day keeps the lines of communication open between the two partners.  The object is to listen as he talks.  If he is a rocket scientist or something else technical, you may need to break out a book or two to understand what he is talking about.  Since he already knows this, just being a sounding board for him is sometimes good enough.

It doesn’t take much, but it does take a concerted effort to add something special to the relationship with your spouse.  A bit at a time, begin to show attention to your spouse in new ways.  Both of you will be more receptive during more intimate encounters as a result.