The bad news is- if you really like nice, fancy, material gifts--- this is NOT the thing for you. Craig doesn't really get a "big" gift on Valentine's, although I DO try to sprinkle a few actual store-bought gifts in with all the homemade ones. The good news is--- for 14 days Craig knows that I have intentionally done something JUST for him, which is really what it's all about. I'm big on thoughtfulness. I want to be thought of... And I try to think of others.
This year was a little tougher than others between polar vortex, winter storm Pax, and a baby.... But I made it through! And ended up with some of my very favorite "gifts"- It'll be a tough year to top!
1- beer bouquet for Craig's golf trip with his college buddies
2- 31 days of prayer (2nd all time favorite gift). I got this idea from a lifestyle blog (I will link up when I get to a computer) and knew immediately I wanted to do it. Of course I pray for Craig every day but the idea of praying specifically for different aspects of his character, aspects of our marriage, career success, etc. was highly appealing. I especially loved that each prayer has scripture attached to it so I know these are biblical characteristics of a husband that I am encouraging. I wrote each prayer on an index card so I can just flip through. I let Craig read through each of them, but the tangible part of this gift stays on my nightstand.
3-chicken, spinach lasagna with egg & tomato salad. I know it seems like nothing special... But a meal Craig loves- on a day I would have preferred to grab takeout or heat up leftovers. And sometimes that's just what it's about. That whole Dying to self thing.
4- Butterfinger dessert- again it wasn't much out of the ordinary but I rarely make things with chocolate because I don't like chocolate. Craig saw this on facebook a while back and requested it so I stuck it on the list.
5- Homemade pizza. There is little in life my husband loves more than homemade pizza. I don't make it often but Craig sure does love it when I do.
6- "open when" cards. True to most bloggers (I would assume)- I'm a big words person. My husband is not. But I love words. And affirmation. And I'll say it to your face, but would much prefer to immortalize those thoughts on paper so you can read them... And read them again... And one more Time... Whenever you need to hear them. So I wrote Craig a selection of cards to open "when you feel lonely", "when you're happy", "when I'm mad at you", "when you don't feel valued", etc. And these are actually a work in progress. I keep thinking of new "when's" to add to the list.
7- warm up! These are a necessity when your hubby spends his whole life as a coach. It helps that he looks pretty cute in them, too. And I love how he can't wait to don his new duds (usually the next day).
8- GLOVES!!!! During Snowpocalypse I heard all about how he "used to have warerproof gloves" but couldn't find them . And of course. This affected our ability to play in the snow. But I found some great ones that he loves so much I had to go buy him another pair:)
-PS- I found the old ones in our suitcase today.
9- Journal- this is my all time favorite gift I've ever given Craig!!!!! Because it's a gift for me, too! Remember- I'm a words girl.... Craig is not a words boy. And oftentimes I would have to remind him that I really wanted a card, letter, email, text.... So I bought this gorgeous, leather journal and wrote him a letter and left it on his pillow... To write me back a letter. I have high hopes for this journal. A memoir of us:)
10- organic suckers (he loves them. Gets SO excited about them. I did good that day).
***please note PAX came to visit here so the remainder of gifts had to be made
Out of things I happened to have at the house... Which all involved food***
11- was supposed to be a sled! I went a week earlier to buy one just to have since we tried to sled with an exersaucer box during Snowpocalypse. But Whit was sleeping and I thought I would go back next time I was in town... Which happened to be the day before PAX. Not once did it dawn on me that people would be out buying sleds with an ensuing snowstorm. Probably because I thought there was no way in a million years it would snow twice in a year! So maybe he will get a sled next year. But for day 11 I improvised with haystacks. Again- Craig loves them and I was his hero for making them!
12- No sooner had I woken up than Craig said, "why don't you make thumbprint cookies today?". HAPPY 12th DAY OF VALENTINE'S! He even shared a few with our sweet, neighbor and went and had a long visit with her. She is a widow, with no children, and aging... So she hadn't left the house or seen another human in 48 hours. She loved their visit. Yeah- my husband's a special man.
13- hooked on you!!! Craig loves fishing... So this was a hit.
14- we are on the road to Tifton so Valentine's Day is taking a backseat. I wanted to incorporate that into his main gift so he got a bag of travel goodies (gum, trail mix, great harvest cookies) and a massage gift card because sitting in a car all weekend can really make you tense!!!
This turned into a book! Thanks for keeping me company on our loooo--oooo--ng drive:)
Happy Love Day!
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