Boston Celebrates Valentine's Day Review

Whether sleigh bells are ringing, robins singing or heart candles glowing, there is a good chance you'll be buying gifts for Valentine's Day. We love the World Series Champs, the Boston Red Sox - that's an understatment. The Patriots are about to win SuperBowl 42 so naturally we want to put B - for Boston - on our Valentine's Day gift list. If you aren't from Boston you can improvise!

THE GIFT OF WRITING

Let's start with pencils. These aren't ordinary pencils although they have lead in them, come with erasers and look like ordinary pencils. The big difference is that they are from Lillian Vernon. At www.lillianvernon.com you can get 40 pencils in various colors with up to 30 letters written on them. All this for under $8.00. Some ideas of what to have written on the pencils include I Love Boston, I Love the Red Sox, I love the Patriots, The Red Sox Rule or The Patriots Rule.

LOBSTERS RULE

I love lobsters. If you are heading out of town or into town and left your loved one elsewhere Logan airport is a great place to buy lobster- themed items. Almost any newsstand or gift shop will sell you lobster oven mitts, lobster shot glasses, lobster-shaped gummy candy and solid milk-chocolate lobsters. If you can splurge for the lobster lover in your family or on your list, stop by Anthony's Pier 4 in Terminal B, where they pack live lobsters for travel. "Lobstahs" say Boston anyway you spell the word.

BOOKS and MUSIC

One year I bought my daughter a magazine dedicated to the Red Sox. You'll find these at most magazine stands for around $8.00. One year I gave my husband a more expensive book but it's wonderful and makes a great coffee table item. The name of it is Red Sox Century by Glenn Stout and Richard A. Johnson. The paperback cost me $25.00. For a fancier gift, pick the hardcover for about $40. You can buy this or other books at www.bn.com or at one of the many Barnes & Nobles in Boston.

In and Around Boston with or without Children is a fantastic book. It is out-of-print but you should be able to find it at half.com or eBay. This is a great gift for your relatives who will be visiting.

For the reader on your list, think about a book by a famous Boston author. One of the most famous authors is Louisa May Alcott. If Little Women is not your recipient's style and you may want The Boston Stranglers: The Public Conviction of Albert Desalvo. This may not sound romantic but you want to buy what your recipient wants.

For the movie lover on your list consider buying a DVD of a movie with Boston ties. Some examples are: Love Story (1970) and The Paper Chase (1973). Some scenes in Legally Blonde (2001) were filmed in Boston.

Tony Curtis brought one of America's best-known serial killers to the screen in The Boston Strangler (1968). Many of Boston's fictional criminals have become almost as well known, including the thrill-seeking millionaire played by Steve McQueen in the first version of The Thomas Crown Affair (1968). You might choose Mystic River (2003) or Good Will Hunting (1997). Next Stop Wonderland (1998) offers good views of the local scenery. A complete list of movies made in and around Boston can be found at http://www.boston-online.com/mafilmall.html.

Most people love music. How about buying the music lover a CD from a local talent such as James Taylor, Aeorosmith, Patty Larkin, the Boston Symphony Orchestra or the Boston Pops.

THE CREATIVE GIFT

If you sew you will be the hit with the gift recipient who gets a quilt or pillowcase made by you. She or he will treasure it forever. Trust me - my daughter keeps hers in her living room on the other side of the country. The quilt or pillowcase is made from all the t-shirts or sweatshirts you couldn't bear to give away that your child has outgrown. Perhaps you have a t-shirt from the Franklin Park Zoo, The Museum of Science, a Y program or day care program your child goes to or went to. You may have bought t-shirts from your child's various schools, camp, baseball, soccer or t-ball team. If you can't sew perhaps a friend can. If not go to a local tailor.

While we are being creative perhaps you knit or crochet. If you've been to yarn stores lately you've noticed the fantastic new yarns that are now for sale. Knit or crochet a hat, scarf, mittens or socks but don't forget to put a big B on it for Boston. You can find yarn online at kaleidoscopeyarns.com/.

IT'S FREEZING AND SNOWING OUTSIDE

Don't forget the snow shovels and snow blowers. Everyone needs one or the other. Try Ace Hardware City at 656 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain (617-983-5466) or True Value Atlas Hardware at 1871 Centre Street, West Roxbury (617-325-9494). You may as well get a back saver for a few more dollars.

There must be an ice skater on your list who can't wait to get on the Frog Pond. You can find skates at Beacon Hill Skate Shop, 135 Charles Street, Boston or Blades Board & Skate, 349a Newbury Street, Boston.

THE ULTIMATE IN BOSTON

Take someone on a free tour of the State House. Tours run for 30-45 minutes. They are led by the staff of the Tours and Government Education Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Office and by volunteers well-versed in the history and architectural background of the State House. The tours are given weekdays year-round from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please call (617) 727-3676 to arrange a tour.

Almost anything Red Sox related can be found at www.BoChamps.com.

Send someone special to a Red Sox Spring Training game in Florida. Call 239-334-4700 for information but you can find the schedule at http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/bos/schedule/tentative_2005_spring_schedule.jsp.
If you can't splurge or want something closer to home, visit the park where Babe Ruth pitched and the home of the 2004 and 2007 champs. The tours will provide you with a behind-the-scenes look at Fenway Park. You'll see the press box and broadcast booths; the new Red Sox Hall of Fame Club; the Dugout Seats; and Pesky's Pole. When the field is available you may have the opportunity to walk along the warning track and come face-to-face with the famous Green Monster and touch it! For more information and group reservations, call the Fenway Park Tours Hotline at 617-226-6666.

Things Red and Romantic Items

Tupperware items in red. There are at least 10 Tupperware Consultant's in Boston.

If he or she is in the market for a new bike, this would be a nice time to give your loved one a bike - in red.

CVS or Walgreens wiill take any picture you give them and put it on an apron, clock, or my favorite is the calendar. To make it special for Valentine's day, find a picture of you and your significant other that represents the month. For example if you ski, put a picture of you or the two of you skiing in December or January. Put a picture celebrating each others' birthdays in the month they are in. My husband and I have exchanged many calendars. I think I can say there isn't anything I haven't bought from CVS's photo area.

I promise you can't go wrong with jewelry or accessories. Hearts are very popular. Buy your man a key chain with a heart on it. If it is in sterling silver it won't break the bank. Guys, heart bracelets and necklaces are very "in." Tiffany seems to be the ones who made them famous. You can find Tiffinay & Company at at 300 Boylston Street in Chestnut Hill.

Years ago for my parents' 40th wedding anniversary I went into a frame store and asked them to cut out on a mat the numbers 4 and 0 and M O M D A D N A N A P A P A. In those 16 cut out spaces I then took pictures and places them where I wanted them. The store finished the work for me and truly it is my mom's prize possession. This will cost you over $100 but it is well worth it. Have a frame store cut out a heart and the words I LOVE YOU and do the same. You can make a collage in the heart. That gift will go a long way.

The Desiderata Of Love : A Collection of Poems for the Beloved
by Max Ehrmann

GIFT CERTIFICATES

Giuliano Day Spa 338 Newbury Street, Boston, MA Phone: (617) 262-2220

BIG ITEMS

A car in red!

Stay at the Kendall Hotel in Cambridge http://kendallhotel.com/
Email: stay@kendallhotel.com

"Time to rekindle an old flame or celebrate a new one? Try our romance package, which includes a deluxe room, parking, bottle of champagne with chocolates, and dinner for 2 in the Black Sheep Restaurant (beverages, tax, and gratuity not included). Our Breakfast Buffet in the Black Sheep restaurant the following morning is also included."

SWEETS

The Belgian Truffle House, 714 Broadway, Somerville, (617) 666-2617

Gary's Gourmet Chocolates, 1076 Belmont Street, Watertown, (617) 489-6913 - 877-687- 8335

FLOWERS

Boston Rose Florist: (800)898-2668 150 Huntington Avenue, Boston. E-maill: orders@bostonroseflorist.com

South End Flowers: (617)723-4940 One India Street, Boston. E-Mail: seflowers@msn.com

B & G Sawin Florist: (800)535-4454, Faneul Street, Boston.

Picture Frames

These are one of my favorites to give and get. I've gotten them engraved at www.thingsremembered.com. I've been given and recently got a collage picture frame which is really special. At Michaels (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/home) you can get beautiful frames often on sale.

Have a love ly day!