Valentine's Day Tips for Preserving Your Gifts

Help Make the Love Last

With Valentine's Day around the corner, it's time to brush up on ways to keep your treasures in top shape. Whether you are the gift giver or the gift reciever, use the following tips to extend the life of your heartfelt presents.

Liven Up Your Flowers. Your beautiful bouquet may come with a little packet to add to your water for longer lasting freshness, but if not, a shot of vodka added to the water in a vase will keep give your flowers staying power.

Freeze Your Candles. Whether rose, lavendar, or honeysuckle is a scent you prefer, if you freeze candles before you use them, they will burn for a longer period.

Hook Your Buttons. If you have a pesky button come loose on your delicates or valentines day outfits, re-stich it using fish line for thread. This will keep it place for a very long time.

Give Your Glass Sparkle. To clean special champagne glasses or glass containers such as vases, use a solution of salt, lemon juice, and crushed ice. Swirl them around inside to achieve a sparkling clean. If the glass is very fragile, just eliminate the ice from the process.

Shine Your Silver. If Silver trinkets are your preferred Valentines Day delight, keep your silver jewelry in an air tight container, such as a Tupperware or Rubbermaid container when you are not wearing it. This will prevent the silver from discoloring or tarnishing.

Wash Your Gold. Keep your gold jewelry in tip-top shape by filling a small bowl with warm water and a dash of mild liquid detergent, such as Woolite. Soak the items for a minute, then using an eyebrow brush or a toothbrush, gently brush any particles or dirt off the jewelry, while shining it up. Strain the jewelry, rinse off with warm water, then pat excess water off allow the gold jewelry to air dry.

Note: This process works well for diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds too. Take care not to rub the stones against eachother, though, when cleaning.