| Valentine's Day is traditionally a day that celebrates | | | | appreciated. |
| love, particularly that of the courtly, romantic and erotic | | | | Scent is another sense that has great bearing on |
| kind. What is the ideal gift? This is a question that | | | | feelings of eroticism. Since time immemorial, men and |
| ultimately, only the giver and recipient can answer for | | | | women alike have used the juices of flowers and |
| themselves, although I certainly have some | | | | other plants to make themselves smell attractive, and |
| suggestions, but first a little history of Valentines Day. | | | | of course pheromones - subtle, almost undetectable |
| The origins of Valentine's day aren't entirely clear. | | | | molecules of scent given off by all mammals - have |
| There is a strong connection to the ancient Roman | | | | been a signal of sexual receptivity for millions of years. |
| festival of Lupercalia, which was held on the ides of | | | | Is it possible that the use of perfumes and colognes |
| February and dedicated to the god of fertility, Faunus. | | | | are attempts to amplify or imitate the effects of |
| Valentinus was apparently an early Christian priest | | | | pheromones? I think so, which is why I recommend gift |
| who, during the reign of Claudius II, performed secret | | | | baskets filled with herbal soaps and aromatic candles. |
| marriages for young people during a time when the | | | | Not only might these finely scented gifts tune into a |
| Roman emperor had outlawed the sacrament. | | | | more carnal instinct, they will also certainly be |
| Valentinus was later executed, becoming a martyr and | | | | appreciated and used making them a wonderful gift |
| eventually a saint. | | | | sure to inspire a big smile. |
| The decision to celebrate the saint's day on February | | | | Of course, we cannot forget color. Although it may |
| 14th may have been an attempt to "Christianize" the | | | | vary from one culture to the next, in the West, pink, |
| popular Lupercalia festival, although many vestiges of | | | | white and red have been the traditional colors of love - |
| the original pagan customs remain. The first recorded | | | | white for purity, pink for emotion, and red for sexuality. |
| Valentine gift was a poem, composed by the Duke of | | | | It's why roses of those colors are always so popular |
| Orleans in 1415 as he was held prisoner in the Tower | | | | on Valentines Day. I would suggest flowers as a |
| of London following the Battle of Agincourt. Meanwhile, | | | | wonderful gift for Valentines Day, although remember |
| the English king who put him there - Henry V - hired a | | | | that flowers should only be an opener, you must be |
| writer named John Lydgate to compose a Valentine | | | | able to do at least one better than flowers. I would |
| message to his future queen, Catherine of Valois. The | | | | also recommend trying to bring all your gifts together |
| custom of exchanging affectionate notes grew over | | | | with one theme. For instance if you have gotten white |
| the next half-millennium, and remains one of the most | | | | and pink flowers, try finding gift baskets in just those |
| popular Valentine expressions today. | | | | colors, thus tying all your gifts together. |
| The most popular gifts for Valentines Day now are | | | | Massage can also be a great Valentines Day gift. |
| cards, candy and flowers. Of course, the tradition of | | | | Massage helps to send the message that you really |
| exchanging cards is a very old one as we've seen - | | | | appreciate all the hardwork someone puts into your |
| but while these appeal to the heart, erotic love is still | | | | relationships and shared life. Best of all you can |
| very much about the senses. Since its introduction into | | | | choose to reward them with a luxurious full body |
| Western culture (it was unknown outside of | | | | massage or fun gift of corporate massage right in their |
| Mesoamerica prior to the late 16th Century), chocolate | | | | office. |
| in all its forms has become the most popular | | | | Most importantly remember that personalized gifts |
| confection on the planet. Not only does it taste | | | | mean more than anything else. Be sure that each gift |
| wonderful, the substance contains chemical | | | | has its own meaning and is special. This can be |
| compounds that act on the brain in ways that release | | | | ensured by you the giver - if you haven't already, |
| endorphins - the same chemicals that surge through | | | | create a reason why you are giving each gift, it will |
| our bodies when we fall in love. Small wonder that gift | | | | make each one that much more special. |
| baskets full of gourmet chocolates are always | | | | |