Chick Flick - Christmas Style

Thursday is homework day, but I promise this isn't going to be painful. Honest.

Score some points with your lady this Holiday by suggesting a little quiet time together watching a Christmas movie.
Need some ideas? Not a problem:

White Christmas. Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vere Ellen.
It's a classic, where Bing and Danny meet the girls and help their old commanding general, who now runs an inn in Vermont. This is a great one and she'll love it.

It's a Wonderful Life. Jimmy Stewart. Jimmy contemplates suicide after losing a ton of money, but an angel shows him the way.

Miracle on 34th Street. Was done in the 40's and remade in the 90's. A man claims to be Santa Claus and gets institutionalized. But a 6 year old little girl never stops believing.

Want to get more modern?

Love Actually (2004) Hugh Grant as the British PM. I've never seen it but it's been called the "best Christmas romance movie you'll ever find." Wow.

Family Man (2000) Nicholas Cage, Tea Leoni, Don Cheadle. It's a comedy and a modern Scrooge story.

There's also any of the versions of Scrooge, and Jim Carrey's Grinch.

Bottom line is this - pick a movie, set aside some time and set up an "in for the night" date night. Get some wine, pop some popcorn, put on the movie and sit close.

Stay in touch -

Mark

Increasing Intimacy

For some, their marriage is a raging fire of intimacy, and for others it's a smoldering mess. For some men - starting the fires of intimacy is like taking a flame thrower to a bunch of dried sticks, and for others is like rubbing two sticks together and hoping for a spark.

Do marriages without intimacy last longer? No...they just SEEM longer.

So what does it take to generate the spark? What are some things you can do to increase intimacy in your relationship?

1. Post it notes. I've talked about this before, but leave a post it note in a few unusual places (on the fridge, on her side of the mirror in the bathroom, on her steering wheel). The notes can say "I love you", "I can't wait to hold you" or a million other things. What they can't say is "don't forget to pick up the dry cleaning."

2. Make a CD or playlist of your favorite songs. These can be songs from your past, songs you've heard on special occasions, etc. A variation on this is to make a playlist of romantic songs that can be played during a nice quiet dinner or intimate time alone.

3. Dance. What!?!? Yup. Grab her in the kitchen (or where ever) and dance to one of those romantic songs. If you're really outgoing, grab her and dance when no music is playing and sing. (No, I haven't lost my mind).

4. Flowers. Cliche? Yes. Effective? Yes. Don't stop at the gas station and pick up some cheap ones. Go to a florist and do it right!

5. Text her randomly with sexy or thoughtful messages. "I can't wait until I get home to show you how much I love you." "I'm thinking about you", etc.

6. Hold hands and touch. This is really important. Hold hands when you're out walking or sitting in the car. Touch each other - and not just when sex is on the agenda. Express affection through touching.

Here's a HUGE tip. We're after a sustained increase in intimacy here, not a flash in the pan. Incorporate these things, and more, into your relationship on a regular basis, and watch the sparks fly!

Stay in touch -

Mark

Being Romantic...A Primer

I think that some guys rank being romantic right up there with Athlete's Foot and Jock Itch. Not really something we'd sign up for voluntarily. But, our partners want romance.

I've mentioned this stat before, but in a survey done in 2008 by Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, 76% of the 1001 adults surveyed said that wanted more romance.

Just over half of the respondents (52%) said that romance is completely missing from their relationship.

So, here are five quick, easy and painless ideas for increasing the romance in your relationship and increasing the Wow Factor!

1. Take her in your arms for no reason in the middle of the day and kiss her and tell her that you love her.

2. Send a bouquet of flowers to her at work.

3. Write "I love you" in the steamed up mirror while she's in the shower.

4. Touch her. Hold her hand, rub her feet, whatever. Touching is good.

5. Write her a note or card. Use your words. Tell her how much she means to you. Take several days to write the card if necessary.

See....that didn't hurt.

Be more romantic guys, it's worth the effort.

Stay in touch -

Mark

Gift Ideas

Guys, if your anniversary or wife / girlfriend's birthday is coming up, here are some gift ideas that are sure to be a hit:

1. Make a movie. If you are at all creative and know your way around your PC, use software like Power Director or Make a Memory Movie. Get pictures and video of things that you've done together, mix it with a couple of your special songs and you're good to go. You may not win an Oscar, but she'll most likely give it two thumbs up.

2. Pictures. Pictures are great gifts because they trigger memories of fun things you've done together. Make a collage out of places you've been or things you've done. She'll love it.

3. Build a bath basket. No, this isn't 'gay'. Prepare a basket of bath soaps, oils, candles, and soft music she can listen to while relaxing. Include a coupon for "bath time" whenever she wants - which means you'll hold down the fort and watch the kids to give her the quiet time.

4. Day spa. Get her a gift certificate for a day spa. She'll enjoy the facials, steam baths, manicure and massage. Note - if this is an anniversary gift, make it a couple's day. You can't send her alone on your anniversary.

Stay in touch -

Mark

Valentine's Date Ideas

Guys we have a bit of an advantage again this year, in that Valentine's Day is on a weekend. That opens up a massive list of ideas that involve getting away for the weekend.

If you are going to plan a weekend get-away and you want to surprise her, then please - think of all of the details ahead of time. I'm not talking about the details of the trip (where you're going, where you're staying and what you'll do). Obviously those are important. But I'm thinking about what details may need to be taken care of around the house. (Who is watching the kids and pets?, etc). If you take care of those details, she'll be able to relax and enjoy the romantic weekend, rather than worry about details at home.

Your weekend get-away should include some romantic time - after all, it IS Valentine's Day. Plan a romantic meal, maybe a couple's massage and some romantic intimate time in the room. By romantic intimate I mean - take your time, it's not a race.

If you aren't planning on getting out of town for the weekend, that's ok. There are still plenty of great ideas to make the night special.

A romantic dinner is a must. You can do is Saturday night if you want, then make her breakfast in bed on Sunday morning.

You can go for a couple's massage, or give her a sensual massage at home.

Run a hot bath full of bubbles and sit in it together enjoying each other closely. Light some candles and put on some soft music. She will think she's dreaming.

Make some chocolate dipped strawberries. When you're done, sit by a fire with a couple of glasses of champagne and enjoy.

Whatever you do - celebrate each other!
Stay in touch -

Mark

Why Didn't I Think of That?

Sometimes, the song says it all. This one is from Doug Stone - Why Didn't I Think of That?

"He sends her roses and lines he composes, things a lady loves.
Well he's there to hold her when she needs a shoulder, if life gets too rough.
Oh now that she's left
I keep kicking myself whenever
I start thinking back
He says he needs her,
tells her he loves her,
why didn't i think of that?

Ooh I've been watching
every move that he makes
ooh I've been thinking,
it could have been different somehow
If I'd know what I know now."


Men - it could be time for an evaluation. Before it's too late.
Is there something that you'd do differently if you had the chance to do it again?
Then do it NOW!

Take a minute - think about it. What have you done in the past week to show her how you feel? What have you done to make her smile? Instead of someday wondering "why you didn't think of that" - think of it now. What can you do better?

Stay in touch -

Mark

Valentines Day Romance Tip #1: Breakfast in Bed

Valentines Day is on a Sunday this year, which means you will likely have a bit more time together in the morning.

The night before, write a note asking her to please stay in bed until you return. When you get up, leave the note, a single red rose, and a Valentines Day card on your pillow. That way, if you wake her up as you leave the room – or if the smell of coffee arouses her senses, she’ll (likely) stay put until you return.

This is pretty simple. You will have thought ahead and picked up the breakfast foods that she enjoys. You go to the kitchen make coffee, prepare the breakfast, put everything nicely on a plate for her and carry it on a tray to your room.

Note: It doesn’t matter what she likes for breakfast – even if it is just cereal, you can make it and bring it to her. Even if she doesn’t like breakfast – bring her coffee and a smile and you will get the same results.

The focus isn’t on the food, it’s on the service. By surprising her with breakfast in bed, you are showing that you are thinking about her even when you may not be expressing it outwardly. You are showing that she is important to you.

Come prepared to sit next to her and start the day off with some quiet time and good conversation.

Stay in touch -

Mark

Survey Says...Romance is Missing

In a survey done in 2008 by Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, 76% of the 1001 adults surveyed said that wanted more romance. (That's 3 out of 4).

Just over half of the respondents (52%) said that romance is missing from their relationship. When something is missing – it’s gone completely. Romance’s picture is on the side of milk containers in far too many relationships.

Here’s a key point to the survey. A vast majority (83%) of the people surveyed say that they want to spend more time together.

They say that the key to being successful in business is to see a need and fill it.
Well, if we apply that principle here - there are two needs that must be met.
Increased romance and spending more time together.

With Valentine's Day just over a month away, now seems like a good time to explore some practical ideas for meeting both needs. Over the next few days, we'll do just that.

Stay in touch -

Mark