Do You Know the Origin of Valentine's Day?

We all love Valentine's Day. Yes, pun was intended. It's just flat out the most romantic day of the year. And, no big surprise here, it's also the single day when the most proposals of marriage are made.

But where did Valentine's Day start? Sure, it happens to be the feast day of St. Valentine. But that turns out to be not the reason we celebrate love on February 14th. We celebrate love for a different reason.

Valentine was the name of a martyr who choose to marry people when marriage was illegal. He even did that from prison. Now that is someone who loves marriage.

But the idea of sending cards and gifts to your loved one came about much later in history. That started in the Middle Ages in English royal courts. Then the mid-1800s brought us more fun by way of mass producing greeting cards.

Nice to know that Valentine's Day didn't start as a marketing idea from Hallmark, isn't it?

Giving gifts was a marketing idea though. The diamond industry started promoting jewelry for Valentine's Day gifts. Of course, I think the chocolate makers were flat out thrilled by that!

Did you know that February 14th is not the only Valentine's Day around the world? Yep, there are others. It entirely depends on which saint or special person feast day is associated with love. That determines what the day actually is. But, the whole world does get the chance to celebrate love.

So do your part this year to continue the Valentine's Day tradition. Maybe even put together a fabulous romantic dinner for your loved one.

Are You Ready for Some Football? Or the Super Bowl?

OK, I realize the Super Bowl is not an officially recognized holiday. But, in my world, the first Sunday of February is a day to celebrate. It's the single most watched event in the US every year. Also, the Super Bowl TV event commands the highest advertising rating of any show anywhere. That says something right there.

It's also an event that makes a great excuse for a party. It doesn't matter if you favorite team is one of the competitors. It's still a great annual event for many people. So it's time talk about planning a Super Bowl party.

Some Super Bowl parties are just a fun gathering of friends or neighbors. Others are big annual parties with Super Bowl invitations sent out and plenty of celebrating. Even if you don't send out invitations, you do enjoy putting together a great party.

It can include fun football serving dishes for all your favorite sports themed foods. It can include football decorations around the TV watching room and even extra special centerpieces on the buffet table.

You'll still want to have plenty of fun food just right for watching the Super Bowl. And that means lots of snack-type foods and finger foods. You want those football fans to be able to jump up and cheer a great run to the end zone without spilling chilli all over your floor.

So get the planning started. Super Bowl party invitations if you like, football serving dishes and plenty of fun foods to serve. And get ready to cheer on which ever team you like this year.

Sharing Christmas with the Eiffel Tower

Whether you live in Paris, visited Paris, or just wish, the Eiffel Tower in the form of an ornament is a great way to remember. The beautiful landmark is a perfect symbol for such a beautiful city.

My own travels took me to Paris several times. Each time was a wonderful new memorable experience. So, my Christmas tree contains a few ornaments from that great city. The Eiffel Tower ornaments are my favorites though.

In some cases, the Eiffel Tower ornaments are personalizable. That means you can add the year of your visit, or include the names of those who shared the trip with you. But, you don't need to have to do all of that. If the visit was just plain special enough, you don't need those extras.

Anyway you look at it, making your own Christmas tree special with those kinds of ornaments that are special to you is a holiday event. Create those memories, or wanna be memories with Eiffel Tower Ornaments for your tree.

The world of Paris during the holidays is beckoning you. Well, beckoning me, too. I would dearly love to visit Paris again. But, for now, I will settle for great Eiffel Tower ornaments for Christmas.