Italians do not decorate hard–boiled eggs nor have chocolate bunnies or pastel marshmallow chicks, the biggest Easter displays in bars, pastry shops, supermarkets, and especially at chocolatiers are brightly wrapped uova di Pasqua—chocolate Easter eggs—in sizes that range from 10 grams (1/3 ounce) to 8 kilos (nearly 18 pounds). Most of them are made of milk chocolate in a mid–range, 10–ounce size by industrial chocolate makers.

Some producers distinguish between their chocolate eggs for children (sales numbers are a closely guarded secret, but the market for these standard quality eggs is said to be shrinking with Italy’s birthrate) and expensive “adult” versions.

All except the tiniest eggs contain a surprise. Grown–ups often find their eggs contain little silver picture frames or gold–dipped costume jewelry. The very best eggs are handmade by artisans of chocolate, who offer the service of inserting a surprise supplied by the purchaser. Car keys, engagement rings, and watches are some of the high–end gifts that have been tucked into Italian chocolate eggs in Italy.

Article taken from Italian about.

Today the tenth and last advice for your Valentine’s day, from the decalogue I found on on Askmen.

Myth #10

Lingerie makes a good Valentine’s Day gift

Why this is false: Actually, this myth is not entirely false. Lingerie can be a nice part of a gift for a self-assured woman, bearing in mind that you need to know her size and style preferences. But usually, she’ll like that to be part of a sexy gift, not all of it.

What to do instead: For a really sexy gift, try buying a book on massage techniques that you can learn together or — if you are good and ready for it — a copy of the Kama Sutra.

to be continued…

Today the nineth advice for your Valentine’s day, from the decalogue I found on on Askmen.

Myth #9

The gift has to be cheesy or romantic

Why this is false: Just the opposite, actually. There is no rule that says you have to write her poems or sing her a song on Valentine’s Day.

What to do instead: If you’re not comfortable with the cheesiness, forget it. Just stick to getting her a fun gift. Try buying a good board game — then go home and play it together.

to be continued…

Romantic Festival of Valentine’s Day is celebrated with enthusiasm in the beautiful country of Italy. Lovers take opportunity of the day to express love and affection for their beloved. Loads of Valentine’s Day gifts are exchanged and everyone enjoys the day to the hilt.

History of Valentine’s Day in Italy

Valentine’s Day was initially celebrated as a Spring Festival in Italy. Celebration for the day was held in the open air. Young people would gather in tree arbors or ornamental gardens and enjoy listening to music and reading of poetry. Later they would stroll off with their Valentine into the gardens. The custom steadily ceased over the course of years and has not been celebrated for centuries.

Early Valentine’s Day Tradition in Italy

In the Italian City of Turin, betrothed couple used to announce their engagement on the Valentine’s Day. Several days ahead of February 14, stores were decorated and loaded with a huge variety of bon-bon. Some even sold china baskets and cups filled with delectable Valentine’s Day candies and tied with a ribbon. These were to be presented as gifts to Valentine.

Another interesting Valentine’s Day tradition followed in Italy and Britain made unmarried girls to wake up before sunrise. People strongly believed that the first man an unmarried girl sees on Valentine’s Day, or someone who looks like him would marry her within a year. Girls therefore used to wake up early on Valentine’s Day and stand by their window to watch a man pass.

Valentine’s Day Celebration in Italy

People of Italy see Valentine’s Day as a holiday imported from US, just like Halloween and Mother’s Day. For the love and lovers country of Italy, the major day for celebration of love is il giorno della festa degli innamorati. As lovers’ exclusively celebrate this day family members and friends do not exchange gifts.

In recent times however, lovers in Italy celebrate Valentine’s Day by expressing their love to sweethearts. Couples usually go out for dinners at pizzeria or ristorante. Just as in several other countries, the festival has been commercialized to a great extent. There is a strong tradition to exchange gifts like rose, perfume, chocolates and diamonds depending on the age and taste of person. Another popular Valentine’s Day gift in Italy is Baci Perugina - a small, chocolate-covered hazelnuts containing a small slip of paper with a romantic poetic quote in four languages.

Text taken from www.stvalentinesday.org

For Valentine’s day make more than a friendly gesture, make a gesture of goodwill for all that children that have no money, even for food or vaccines.
The most beautiful gift of love is giving to charity, that’s why I recommend you the charitable institution Save the children.

On their website you can donate even just a few € and buy, for example, Plumpy’nut or a Yak (yes, a real one!) behalf of your partner: it is an original Valentine’s gift!

The association will send to your partner a special Valentine’s day postcard, thanking for the donation.

All the children will thank you too…

Today the eighth advice for your Valentine’s day, from the decalogue I found on on Askmen.

Myth #8

Don’t expect a gift in return

Why this is false: While Valentine’s Day is usually marketed as “her” holiday, there’s no rule stating she can’t surprise you with a little something.
So, chances are very good that you’ll get your box of candy.

What to do instead: If the whole guessing game about whether you’re getting a gift or not is bugging you, approach the subject of a “no gift” idea with her and make plans together for a romantic weekend getaway or a perfect night out instead.

to be continued…

Today the seventh advice for your Valentine’s day, from the decalogue I found on on Askmen.

Myth #7

You need to spend loads of money on her gift

Why this is false: It’s the thought that really counts the most when it comes to Valentine’s Day.

What to do instead: Try getting her a small gift with a lot of meaning. If you are just starting to get serious, for example, buy her a pair of slippers or a robe to keep in your apartment.

to be continued…

Don’t know what to buy for your girlfriend?

Easy! A “cheap” Gucci bag heart-shaped, really suitable for Valentine’s Day!

It’s a gloss evening bag with detachable chain strap, front zip clousure, bow charm with engraved gucci script logo and ornaments.

It’s available in dark gold leather or in black leather.

Spend a few odd coins for your other half…

For further info visit Gucci’s website.

Don’t know what to cook for your romantic Valentine’s day dinner?
This is an article I found on cnet:

“There are silicone cake pans for just about anything; their flexibility makes them ideal for all sorts of novelty cake shapes.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, there’s a cake pan with a sweet message. The Love Silicone Cake Pan can spell out your feelings of “Love” in tasty cake form, complete with hearts for the spaces within the “o” and the “e.”

The pan is approximately 15 inches by 5.5 inches by 2.2 inches, providing enough cake if you’re planning a Valentine’s Day party for more than two. It’s entirely dishwasher safe and while the pan is meant for baking, it can double as a mold if you’re planning a different kind of desert.

Make sure that any treat you make in the Love Silicone Cake Pan is something you feel comfortable turning upside down. From above, the word “Love” is mirrored. It’s also large enough that you’ll probably need a cookie sheet or other large tray to flip your finished product onto.”

Have a sweet Valentine!

“Italians Do It Better - Love Themes for Valentine’s Day” is an Italian romantic compilation to celebrate the lovers’ day.

It collects love themes created by famous Italian composers of film scores, like Ennio Morricone, Piero Umiliani and Piero Piccioni.

Even if you don’t know their names you surely know their pieces (they composed for many movies, as “Once Upon a Time in the West”, “The Mission”, “The Legend of 1900”, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, “Swept Away… by an Unusual Destiny in the Blue Sea of August”, etc…).

This compilation is sold on line, so you don’t have to come in Italy to buy it!

It’s a good idea for a gift, if you don’t know what to give to your partner, or it should work as a soundtrack to get in the right mood, if you know what I mean…