Valentine’s Day Gift Giving Etiquette - A Pressure Cooker Smothered in High Expectations

Talk about putting on the pressure, the Valentine’s Day gift giving ritual is smothered in high expectations. A seemingly innocent gift from an amour is subject to all kinds of scrutiny that may be dissected and analyzed for years to come. Whether you’re dating or in a committed relationship, the gift is a symbol of the amount of love in the relationship. It is an oil and water check telling us how things are going.  If the connection is in good standing or if we’re headed off a cliff.  Did your mate spend hours pounding the pavement or just a few seconds scouring an online store?  Have they listened closely to your likes and dislikes to select a gift that is most meaningful to you or did they choose something purely for convenience’ sake?  One thing is certain, no one wants to spend the day dedicated to love fighting, or worse, breaking up over a gift that felt insensitive or phoned in. With only two days left, we've compiled a quick list of the most popular Valentine’s Day gift giving dos and don’ts to point your cupid's arrow in the right direction and inspire a day of happiness and passion for all. 

Chocolates. Dark or milk? Plain or nuts? Sees or Godiva?

Don’t: Don’t tempt your loved one with a large box of fattening chocolates, especially if they've been working like a dog to stick to a diet. You want them focus to be on you not spending the night complaining about how fat they look in their skinny jeans.

Do: Opt for gourmet bite-sized dark chocolate morsels with sea salt instead.  These are not only more healthy and satisfying, they are an aphrodisiac too. 

Flowers. To vase or not to vase, that is the question.

Don’t: Avoid the supermarket route cellophane-wrapped flowers complete with the sticker still on. This is a dead giveaway that you waited until the last minute. 

Do: Find out their favorite flower and have an arrangement displayed in a striking vase or present them with a box of long-stemmed beauties. If selecting roses, stay away from the yellow friendship ones. Red is the symbol of romance. If flowers aren't their thing, take a cue from Rachael Ray and wrap up their favorite food item instead. 

Jewelry. This is an investment. Do your due diligence.

Don’t: Purchase CZ’s and try to pass them off as diamonds or splurge on something big and extravagant when all they want is a delicate pendant or handcrafted leather bracelet. Unmarried? Avoid presenting a ring in a box which might be mistaken for a proposal.

Do: Know their taste or confer with a close friend before making any major purchases. Find out if they prefer rose gold, yellow gold, silver or platinum or none of the above.  Getting exactly what they want will thrill them and elminate a next day return.

Lingerie. Who is this gift really for?

Don’t: Use this as an excuse to visit an erotic lingerie store or pick up a prop right out of Fifty Shades of Grey. They might question your sudden interest and doubt their performance in the boudoir. On the flipside, a conservative bathrobe might make them feel old.

Do: Find the goldilocks gift.  Something tasteful, yet sexy.  Know their correct size.  Nothing too big or too small.  Something red or pink sends a loving message that you're ready for a night of fun. 

Accessories.  A smart handbag, shoes or a scarf? Go for the luxury brand.

Don’t: Bring home a fake and try to convince them it’s real. All luxury brands come with a card of authenticity.  Go this route and your partner will think you are incredibly cheap.

Do: Splurge on an item they're sure to appreciate. If you are working within a budget, there are plenty of beautiful accessories in all price ranges. It is much more wise to find something small, yet sophisticated.

Gift Cards. Tread carefully with these plastic babies.  

Don’t: Purchase any old gift card at the checkout stand. While they may need to stock up on household supplies, a gift card to Target hardly screams romance. Nor does a gift card to Starbucks, AMC Theatres or any other practical venue.
Do: Purchase a gift card from a spa that offers a unique experience or opportunity for your honey to rejuvenate and relax. Compliment the card with a small accompanying gift and you’ll get brownie points for going the extra mile. 

No matter how your mate expresses their appreciation, your job is to receive all gifts graciously with a giant smile. Choose to be grateful for your relationship on this day celebrating love. Realize that above everything else, that is the greatest gift of all! 

Read more.

For Men: http://90210manners.blogspot.com/2011/02/manners-maketh-man-what-women-really.html

For Marrieds: http://90210manners.blogspot.com/2014/02/manners-monday-simple-ways-to-step-up.html

For Singles: http://90210manners.blogspot.com/2012/02/manners-monday-how-to-survive.html

"I Never Met a Chocolate I Didn't Like" - How to Eat & Enjoy Chocolate

Well, I suppose if I'm being totally honest, that's not exactly true. I am not a huge fan of truffles or boxes of chocolates because I don't like creamy centers or certain fruits and nuts mixed with my chocolates. I am a big fan, however, of solid chocolates. I used to eat only milk chocolate, but since dark chocolate has become so popular I have noticed that I actually prefer it because it has a finer quality and taste. I usually only eat white chocolate if it is made with coconut. As far as big name brands go, I think See's and Godiva are my favorites. Locally, my highend favorite is Madame Chocolate on Canon Drive in BH. Their hot chocolate rivals any cafe in Paris and their solid bars are not only to die for, but make beautiful and tasty gifts. My everyday favorite is Edelweiss in BH or at the Brentwood Country Mart. Their chocolate covered marshmallows taste decadent without feeling like you consumed a million calories in fat. Given that we are coming upon the biggest chocolate holiday of the year, Valentine's Day, I thought it was high time to uncover the proper way to eat as well as enjoy chocolate. Here are my top fave tips for doing it the right way!

Eat chocolate in moderation. Whether a chocolate fanatic or a dabbler who only indulges on special holidays, chocolate is best enjoyed in moderation. It is very rich and high in calories and can take a toll on your waistline. Chocolate can also be quite expensive and burn a hole in your pocket, especially if purchasing the finest quality. However, dark chocolate, enjoyed in small amounts, has been found to have several health benefits from lowering heart disease to lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure. Chocolate comes from the cocao plant and contains many of the flavonoids and antioxidants that are found in dark vegetables.

Educate yourself on the extensive varieties. Chocolate is a delicacy that comes in many varieties from the best milk chocolate, to the finest quality dark chocolate and sweetest white chocolate. An experienced chocolate connoisseur seeks only Swiss made chocolates as they are held to a higher standard than American chocolates. Dark chocolate comes in a range of intensity from 45% to 100% cocao content. It is advised to start at the low end and work your way up. The higher the intensity the more bitter the chocolate will taste. 100% intensity has absolutely no sugar content at all and is extremely bitter and unpleasant tasting. Good chocolates start at 68% cocao content. White chocolate has a delicious, creamy sweet flavor because there is no added cocao at all, instead cocao butter is used. Bottom line - if you're going to splurge, do it with whichever brand or variety strikes your fancy!

Take time to savor the flavor. Chocolate is to be experienced slowly and with pleasure. Begin the process by cleansing your palate. A drink of warm water will do the trick. This will enable your taste buds to really appreciate the chocolate. Because of the solid nature of chocolate, if it is chewed and quickly swallowed the flavors will be missed. As a result, chocolate is best enjoyed when allowed to linger in the mouth and melt before swallowing. This enables the maximum amount of flavor to be consumed by the palate. As with wine, chocolate differs in taste and quality depending on the subtle flavors that have been added which can range from a mixture of fruits, herbs or spices. Take the time to discern the many ingredients to determine which flavors most suit you.

Delve into the guilty pleasure. Chocolate is one of the six foods of love. The chemicals, phenylethylamine and serotonin, in chocolate stimulate the pleasure points of the brain. Chocolate is soft to the touch and provides a sensuous feeling in the mouth. Give it all the attention it deserves. For maximum enjoyment, clear away the distractions, close your eyes and internalize each piece.

Wipe up your mess. As good as chocolate tastes, it can also be a complete mess. When eating chocolate desserts or candies, make sure to have an ample supply of napkins or wipes nearby to clean up after yourself. At a restaurant, remember to use the inside of your cloth napkin (a) to avoid a big stain on the visible part of the napkin and (b) to avoid accidentally smearing chocolate onto your face instead of wiping it off. Finally, beware of smiling for the camera or getting close with your significant other after diving into a big bite of chocolate. Take a swish of water to clean things up a bit before you say "cheese" or lean in for a big kiss!

All this talk about chocolate has got me jonesing for a piece. Now, where did I hide my secret stash???