Oh, Valentine’s Day, a special day each year set aside for letting those we love know about it! We all remember the excitement of decorating a shoebox in anticipation of the big day when it would be filled by our classmates with special Valentine Cards. As we grow up though, we still enjoy sharing thoughtful displays of appreciation.

Chocolates and flowers are fine but heartfelt Valentine Cards mean so much more. A simple sentiment with a warm hand written message is a card that will be treasured for a lifetime. True keepsakes, Valentine’s Day Cards are memories that will last long after the chocolate is gone and the flowers have wilted.

Make yours special and remember all those you love and value with custom imprinted and personalized designs. Add your own special photograph if you want and your valentine will be a unique card that will warm any recipient’s heart.

Another new year and another resolution to lose weight! No need to suffer alone though, you are not the only one in this boat! Ask around in your office and find a motivating partner to help challenge you to stay on track.

Consider stepping away from your desk for a lunch out now and then. Walk to the nearest food source if you can and consult these helpful sites when choosing what and where to eat.

To find healthy food near your office or home, go to HealthyDining Finder.com. Plug in your zip code and price range for help on where to eat healthy.

To see exactly what the calorie count is in your restaurant favorites, consult CalorieCount.About.com. No need to guess what you should or shouldn’t eat, just plug in the food for calorie info. The site also includes all kinds of helpful dieting tips.

You may even want to take a picture of you before as a motivational tool. It is possible to enjoy eating and dieting at the same time if you do a bit or preliminary information gathering and choose wisely. And your body will say Thank You too!

Time to take down the holiday decorations for another year. Put away the ornaments and garland and de-deck the halls of those boughs of holly.

But what to do with all of those lovely holiday cards? Of course you will want to save photo cards as they are fun to pull out and revisit now and then. For the elegant foil and embossed and just plain nice ones, consider these options:
1) Cut them up to use as Gift Tags next year.

2) Cut the front off the signed back and reuse.
3) Create bookmarks.
4) Make a 2009 card collage placemat you can use next year.
5) Donate them to CardsDirect for our “Recycling and Reuse Program“.

Hopefully you have enjoyed receiving many wonderful holiday cards this year and remembering their thoughtful senders. Holiday Cards are truly a tradition worth continuing. What a great way to stay in touch! Wouldn’t you agree?

OK, so you aren’t particularly thrilled to have received a Dallas Cowboys themed Snuggie from Aunt Betty this Christmas. But, you do need to say thank you, if only because she took the time and effort to make the purchase and wrap it up and present it to you.

No doubt many of us will be gifted with presents that will be returned the day after, but remember to be gracious in your acceptance. Hand written Thank You Cards sent as a follow-up will show you know a bit about proper etiquette.

‘Tis the season to express thanks for family, friends and all of the good things you have in life, even if you would have rather received a Snuggie for your dog this year!

The holiday cards are pouring in! It is such fun to open each of them and remember the sender. It brings a smile to my face knowing that I made the holiday card lists of many businesses and personal friends.

This year I am attaching each card to a wide strip of red ribbon topped with a gold bow and hanging them on my foyer wall. Some years I line them up on the mantel above the fireplace.

How do you display your collection of Christmas cards? I’d love to see photos or hear your suggestions.