Valentine Show Prep

VALENTINE SHOW PREP FROM LOVETINGLE.COM

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>85% of all valentines are purchased by women.
>Over 1 billion Valentine cards are sent in the U.S. each year.
>Parents receive 20% of all valentines sent.
>The biggest days for giving flowers are Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.
>Valentines ranks second only to Christmas in number of greeting cards sent.
>Over 50 million roses are given for Valentine's Day each year worldwide.

CRAZY LOVE FACTS
>In Kentucky, 50% of the people who get married for the first time are teenagers.35% of the people who use personal ads for dating are already married.
>Impotence is grounds for divorce in 24 states in the United States.
>In Frackville, Pennsylvania, a woman filed for divorce because her husband insisted on "shooting tin cans off of her head with a slingshot."
>Each year over 11,000 people are injured trying out new sexual positions.
>People who have never been married are seven and a half times more likely to be admitted to a psychiatric facility than married people.
>Percentage of runners who say they think about sex while running: 66%. Percentage who say they think about running while having sex: 8%.
>The phrase "honeymoon" came from the Greeks. It was customary for the bride's family to supply the groom with a full moons cycle (a month) of wedding wine, which tasted like honey.
>Couples who marry in the months January, February, and March have the highest divorce rates.
>Over 278 bacteria colonies are exchanged during a French kiss.
>The world's greatest lover was documented to be King Mongkut of Siam. He had 9,000 women in his harem.

VALENTINE HISTORY

Who is St. Valentine?
One story says Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome. There was an Emperor at that time by the name of Claudius II. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married. With this thought in mind he outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger military. Valentine decided this decree just wasn't fair and chose to marry young couples secretly. When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine's actions he had him put to death.
Another legend claims Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor's daughter. Before he was put to death he sent the first 'valentine' himself when he wrote her a letter and signed it 'Your Valentine', words still used on cards today.

What about Cupid?
In Latin, cupido means "desire". In Roman mythology Cupid is the son of Venus, goddess of love. His counterpart in Greek mythology is Eros, god of love. Cupid is often said to be a mischievous boy who goes around shooting both gods and humans with his arrows, causing them to fall in love.

LOW BUDGET VALENTINE GIFT IDEAS
-Make a love jar. Buy a nice medium jar (or find one in the house if you are broke). Cut out 365 pieces of paper. On each piece of paper write a reason why you love that person, cute poem, love coupon, etc. This is a time consuming but VERY thoughtful gift. You can modify this by cutting out 52 hearts and having your Valentine pick out one per week.
-Make a coupon book: Buy a blank book (available in the journal section of any bookstore) and fill out each page. (One free massage, one free breakfast in bed, etc.) For ideas go to http://lovetingle.com/coupons.htm
-Make a paper rose. They are extremely simple to make, and all you need is colored paper. Make a full bouquet, your date will absolutely love the creative, modified version. (To do this take a piece of paper and roll it up like you would do to make a telescope. Pinch down about one inch from the end to make the bud, then twist the rest tightly to make the stem) http://www.lovetingle.com/couples/paperrose.htm

TOP 10 VALENTINES MOVIES
1. Casablanca (1942). Humphrey Bogart stars. The plot: Rediscovery of lost love, and the need to lose it again for a higher cause.
2. Notting Hill (1999). Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant. This movie will rekindle any relationship and remind you how sweet that special someone is.
3. The Princess Bride (1987). Lots of action. Very witty. This classic tale is told from Grandfather to son.
4. Romeo and Juliet (1968 or 1996). The orginal is a by director Franco Zeffirelli. The updated version was a hit as well by Baz Luhrmann. Stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.
5. West Side Story (1961). Set in New York City, this is a very popular romantic musical was made into a movie.
6. French Kiss (1995). Meg Ryan. Very romantic and very French with a happy ending.
7. Like Water For Chocolate (1993). For the eclectic tastes, this is a great foreign film that will get you both in the valentine mood.
8. A Room With a View (1986). This British flick is a great example of how little it takes to fall in love.
9. It Happened One Night (1934). Two people fall in love while on the road in this classic love tale.
10. Gone with the Wind (1939). Based on the incredible book, this epic tale has the most memorable characters of all time. Scarlett O'Hara is the best!

TOP 5 ROMANTIC SONGS BY FORMAT

Country
Garth Brooks, The Dance
John Michael Montgomery, I Swear
Patsy Cline, Crazy
Lonestar, Amazed
Garth Brooks, Make You Feel My Love

Pop/Adult Contemporary
Whitney Houston, I Will Always Love You
Eric Clapton, Wonderful Tonight
Celine Dion, My Heart Will Go On
Aerosmith, Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Bryan Adams, Everything I Do (I Do For You)

Other Great Romantic Songs
Peter Gabriel, In Your Eyes
Beauty & The Beast Soundtrack, Beauty And The Beast
Berlin, Take My Breath Away
Vanessa Williams, Save The Best For Last
Boyz II Men, I'll Make Love To You
Bryan Adams, All For Love
Righteous Brothers, Unchained Melody
Bryan Adams, Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman
K-Ci & Jojo, All My Life
Lionel Richie, Endless Love
Aladdin Soundtrack, A Whole New World
Seal, Kiss From A Rose
Backstreet Boys, As Long As You Love Me
Bangles, Eternal Flame

GREAT ROMANTIC IDEAS
>Cover the floor with poster board and finger paint a giant valentine card for your lover.
>Have DINNER in bed.
>Fire up the grill and roast marshmallows then lay under the stars.
>Rent your favorite romantic movies, make some popcorn and hot chocolate, and stay up all night watching movies and cuddling.
>Surprise your lover with a bubble bath for two. After the bath dry them off and brush their hair for them.
>Spread out a large blanket in the living room and have an indoor picnic.
>Read old cards and letters from each other to one another.
>Play hide and seek. (Clothing is optional)
>Grab a romantic novel and take turns reading aloud to each other.

MARRIED ON VALENTINES DAY
Sharon Stone, Prince, Roseanne, Jerry Garcia, Harold Robbins, Meg Ryan, Dennis Quaid and Elton John

BORN ON VALENTINE'S DAY
Hugh Downs, Florence Henderson, Carl Bernstein, Gregory Hines, magician Teller of Penn and Teller, Ken Wahl and Meg Tilly