I know I’m not the only one scrambling these last few weeks of January trying to find ideas for a Valentine’s Day care package that will knock my Soldier’s socks off. I’ve hit the message boards and military blogs all over the Internet. There were some great ideas, but in general most of us seem hard pressed to come up with more than a trip down the massive candy aisle at our local commissary. So I put my thinking cap on and asked around to come up with some super fabulous and creative Valentine’s Day ideas that will tell that special someone in our lives that we just can’t live without them.

Here are some ideas for your care package:

• Red hots or their favorite candy
• Handwritten love poem or song
• Handmade valentine
• Hershey’s kisses and hugs
• “Hot Pants” — boxer shorts with kisses and hugs painted on them
• Lotions and perfumes
• A tiny bow and arrow with a note from Cupid
• Fuzzy dice
• Picture book or frame
• Steamy love letter
• A favorite romantic movie
• Marshmallows with a note that says, “I’m always on cloud 9 when I’m with you!”
• Fuzzy pink, red, or black robe
• Bath and body products
• CD of love songs
• Warm and snuggly new red bath towel
• Valentine themed stuffed animal
• Personalized M&Ms in red, pink and white
• Red or pink candle
• Hot cocoa
• Homemade, heart-shaped sugar cookies with red sprinkles
• Anything red — red jello, red rice krispie treats, etc.
• Silk or gold dipped red roses
• “I love you” pin
• A romantic book
• Handkerchief, pillowcase, or other “racier” article of clothing sprayed with your perfume
• Handmade romantic fortune cookies (grab a box at your local craft store)
• A pillow made out of fabric printed with a picture of you
• Love coupons that they can redeem
• A puzzle out of a picture of the two of you
• A Victoria’s Secret or Men’s Fitness magazine with your face glued on all the models
• A “This is Why I Love You” journal
• A “Naughty and Nice” journal — one side nice normal things, the flip side naughty things

Another idea is to send a gift package of inexpensive but meaningful items. Send your Soldier the one item they tend to forget when they’re at home all of the tims, such as a pen. What about all of their favorite foods or movies? Send gifts that will let them know you're really listening to them and thinking about them.

Whatever you do make it special and meaningful to you and your loved one. Anything you send is sure to get a great response because it’s from the heart. Happy Valentine’s Day.