The Perfect Anniversary Gift

Our anniversary was coming up and I asked my husband what would you like most? His answers were "Money" and "Time."  Cute.

I'd love to be able to give my lover a million dollars. Hell, I'd love to give myself a million dollars. But, I don't have a dead, very rich Uncle Ernesto who just happened to leave me a heap of money to do what I want. So, I can't give money. That brings me to the second answer. Time. Now, you might argue that I can't give time either. But, you're wrong. I can, I have and I did. I gave an hour to be exact.

In the beginning of all relationships we spend hours and hours talking. Getting to know each other, our past, our families, our friends, our lives. Then, the thrill is gone. We think we know it all and we just stop talking. Or, we continue to talk but only about the kids, their lives, their wants and needs, etc. As my kids grew older I actually began to get a little nervous. Not that they couldn't handle themselves because I knew we gave them a good solid foundation. I was worried about "us." I just kept thinking to myself "what the heck will we talk about." I know I don't have a problem making conversation outside my home. I talk to my friends all the time. I talk to my coworkers every day. Heck, I even know my dry cleaner's favorite movie. So what's the problem? Time. Time is the problem. We're too caught up in our daily routines. Work, dinner, chores, exercise, kids, work at home and bed. There's no time to chat.

Time. How can I give him more time? A fancy watch? I could get it engraved with our anniversary date on the back. But that's not giving him time, that's telling him what time it is. Then it hit me.

I decided to give him a beautiful, 60 minute wood sand timer. On the top I had engraved "Talk Timer" and on our anniversary I presented the gift to him with a note. We are obligated once a week (we chose Wednesday nights) to spend one hour talking. Conversation is open to anything but the kids. No kid talk. That's the rule. It definitely has made a difference and I gave myself a big pat on the back.

When friends come over and see the timer on our mantel in the living room they are drawn to it, inevitably it's flipped over and, inevitably, they see the inscription "Talk Timer," that alone strikes up conversation. I received such a positive response that the "Talk Timer" is now a featured gift on the web site, www.ForRomanticGifts.com.

See? You can give the gift of time. And who doesn't want (or need) more of that?

When the Sizzle Begins to Fizzle

It's time to spice things up. Need some suggestions? Try one of these:

• Turn your bathroom into a private bathhouse. Draw a warm bubble bath, surround the tub with a few candles and either give your partner the bath of his/her lifetime (wash every nook and cranny, gently, slowly, from outside the tub) or bathe together.
• For a special night get rid of those cotton and flannel sheets and liven things up by dressing that bed in satin!
• Give your partner an intimate, and erotic full body 60 minute (yes, one hour) massage. The point is to take your time. Utilize the five senses. Be sure to use some sensual massage oil, touch, fondle, caress, stroke - tantalize.
• Picnic together. Get yourself a picnic basket, a blanket, some finger food and hit the road. Go ahead, put on a show for Mother Nature.
• Eat by candle light - even if it's pizza with pepperoni from Pinky's Pizzeria.

There are hundreds of things you can do with (or to) each other. Romance requires effort but the payoff is well worth it.

Men are Visual - That's a Good Thing!

Ladies, let's face it. We're talkers. They're watchers. Want to put an end to ho-hum routine of meeting in bed every night, the occasional two minutes of foreplay and five minutes of sex? Then do something about.

No, we're not saying to talk to him. See, when we say "It's always the same. I want something new, something different, passion, foreplay." You may be picturing the two of you alone sipping champagne and feeding each other grapes. More than likely his thoughts are somewhere along the lines of "Something new? Something different? Wow! Can I finally voice my threesome fantasy?"

I cannot say this enough. If you want something done - take action! You want something new? Then bring something new to the table. Don't be afraid, don't be shy. Do something that will work for both of you.

OK, we've already stated that men are visual right? Why not make him squirm by watching you. No, we're not talking kinky here. Become his private dancer. It's simple. Really. Here's a little shopping list: (1) a big fluffy boa (2) opera gloves (like the ones Marilyn Monroe wore) (3) a leg garter (4) some glitter body lotion (5) an edible temporary tattoo (6) a black-lite light bulb and (7) some music. Get yourself ready, call him into the room, sit him on the bed and explain the rules: (1) no touching the dancer, only the dancer can do the touching (2) no talking (unless of course it's moaning) and (3) although no money will be exchanged there will be a price to pay (he'll be more than happy to pay it). Take your time, go slow, very slow.

Romance 101 Cheat Sheet

Walk Down Memory Lane - Go back to the time when u first went on a date, such as a park bench, and light candles and surround it with a BED OF ROSE petals.

Undressed - When your mate comes home from a hard days work, have them stand still while you take their shoes off, undress them and send them off to the bath that has all ready been fixed into a PAMPER SPA !

TABLE FOR TWO - Treat your partner to a candlelit dinner under the stars, with maybe some music playing off in the background somewhere.

Private Beach - Drive to secluded beach at sunset and park your car as close to the sand as possible. Stretch a big blanket over the sand and lay down together as the warm summer night breeze comes in, and the stars come out, all while listening to your favorite love song CD in your car stereo. Not near a beach, or too cold? Create your own PRIVATE BEACH in your living room or bedroom.

Puzzle Pieces - Assemble a puzzle. Write a romanitc letter on the back. Send your love one piece of the puzzle each day until they have the entire puzzle, and your love note.

Winter wonderland - write i love you on the snow at a place they can see it easily.

PILLOW TALK - Write "I love you" or a love note and leave it on their pillow

Edible Work of Art - Cover the floor with sheets, purchase CHOCOLATE BODY PAINT , use it.

Young at heart - Rent the local ice skating rink for an hour or two and have just the two of you skate together hand in hand with INTAMITTS.

Undying Love - Get your love a silk rose, leave the rose in a place where she is sure to see it. Include a note saying something like: "This rose is a symbol of my love. Like this rose my love will never die." Try our Fleur D-Amour ...a silk rose that's also a foreplay game!