Every Saturday morning, my husband and seven-year-old make pancakes.  It’s their ritual.  At seven, our son can measure the pancake mix, drag a chair to the sink, pour in the water, and mix up the batter.  Then he waits impatiently for Daddy to come along and cook the pancakes on the griddle.

He can’t wait until he’s old enough to flip the pancakes all by himself, but he’s still too short to reach the ones at the back.

However, he still manages to give all the pancakes a personal touch–he adds colored sprinkles to the batter.  (I think this is the reason that no one else in the house partakes in the Saturday Pancake Tradition.)

Once the pancakes are cooked, my boy and his dad head to the dining room.  He usually wants someone to cut his pancakes for him, because he’s a little slow and clumsy with the knife.  But he’s got to learn sometime, so lately, he’s been on his own.

Last weekend, as he sawed away at his breakfast, he called out, “I have the cutting knife!”

“The cutting knife?”  I asked.  “Isn’t every knife a cutting knife?”

“No, Mom,” he told me.  “In pancakes, you have a cutting knife and a butter knife.  That’s the rules.”

This from a kid who doesn’t know what to do when a restaurant gives him a salad fork and a dinner fork.

COUPON TIME

$15 off orders over $75 at Brylane Home
Enter code BHASPR1 in the Promotional Code box in your shopping bag and click APPLY.
Valid through: March 31, 2010
Percent discount taken off the entire order, excluding shipping & handling charges. The offer may not be combined with any other offer(s) or prior purchase(s). Not applicable to payment of prior orders, bills or charges. Excludes the purchase of merchandise shipped directly from the manufacturer, electrics, select bathroom accessories, select furniture, select lighting, mirrors, select slipcovers, artwork, and gift cards. Limited to one offer per customer.
See other BrylaneHome coupons!

$15 off orders over $80 at Lenox.com
Click this link to activate the promotional offer code.
Valid through: March 31, 2010
See other Lenox coupon codes!

Valentine’s Day is coming up, and you know what that means:  it’s time to think about getting some flowers for your sweetheart.

It’s also time to realize that flowers go way up in price at this time of year, and it’s not like most of us can just go pick some roses out of our own gardens.  My rosebushes are buried under more than two feet of snow right now, and we’re expecting another winter storm with “significant snowfall” tonight and tomorrow.

If you want to give flowers as a Valentine’s Day gift this year, you can still find ways to do that without breaking the bank.  We’ve got Valentine’s Flower Coupons galore as well as special Valentine’s Day Deals–so don’t miss those.  Ordering early can help; don’t wait until the last minute and expect to get several dozen huge red roses at 6 PM on Sunday.  (It’s not going to happen, and those gas-station roses won’t last until the end of your Valentine’s Day date.)

Why not make a statement with a single gorgeous red rose attached to a special card or other gift?  Or, if you want a huge arrangement, try less-expensive blooms like tulips or carnations.  Going on a date?  Skip the bouquet and get a corsage.

And once you’ve got those flowers, make sure you treat them well so they’ll last.   Change the water every two days, and make a fresh cut with a sharp knife or kitchen shears each time you change the water.    Use the preservative packet that comes with the flowers, and keep them out of heavy drafts.  Finally, keep the leaves out of the water.

COUPON TIME

$40 off the All-In-One Valentine’s Day Special at ProFlowers
Includes One Dozen Long-Stemmed Red Roses, Ruby Glass Vase, Chocolates, and Teddy Bear, now only $50!
Valid through: February 12, 2010
See other ProFlowers coupons!

15% off your order at Teleflora.com
Valid online only. Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: February 14, 2010
May not be combined with any other promotion and is not valid toward previous purchases. Not valid at retail locations or partner sites.
See other Teleflora coupon codes!

I hate it when they “new and improve” things. Generally, those innovations don’t make for a better product.

The latest thing that manufacturers have messed with is the old standard Conversation Hearts candies.

Now, I’m all for it if you want to add “TEXT ME” and “TWEET ME” to the messages on the hearts to keep up with the times.  It’s kind of fun each year to see how the messages have changed.

But don’t go changing the flavor.

Necco (New England Confectionery Company) has altered the longtime lineup that included some spicy flavors such as wintergreen, fruity flavors like banana, and others.  Now they’re all fruit flavors:  strawberry, grape, green apple, blue raspberry, lemon and orange.  And some are going to be sparkly.  That’s fine for kids, but I draw the line at sparkly candy.

If my Valentine is reading this, I’d like to request that you stick with chocolate-covered cherries this year.

COUPON TIME

We’ve got some alternatives to the candy heart for your Valentine, including jelly beans (definitely NOT just for Easter anymore) and delicious chocolates too!

TODAY AND TOMORROW ONLY!
10% off your order of $35 or more at Jelly Belly
Use promo code HEART at checkout.
Valid through: February 9, 2010
See other Jelly Belly coupons!

25% off your order at Figis.com
Use this link to activate the source code. If there are any problems, enter 895/8188 in the 2 yellow boxes during checkout.
Valid through: April 30, 2010
See other Figi’s coupon codes!

February 8 is Boy Scout Anniversary Day! I’ve got two boys involved in Scouting, which has allowed them to try everything from canoeing to skiing to rock-climbing to woodworking and more. Happy 100th Anniversary to the Boy Scouts of America!
Free shipping on orders over $45 at Altrec.com
Choose the FREE Shipping Option during checkout.
Valid through: February 28, 2010
Exceptionally large/heavy items, such as a kayak or Special Order items, may require an additional Handling Charge as noted on each product page.
See other Altrec coupons!
———–
FEBRUARY is Pull Your Sofa Off the Wall Month! But please make sure you have a strong back before doing any heavy lifting like that.
$100 off items over $999 at SmoothFitness.com
Use promo code smooth100.
Valid through: February 28, 2010
Not valid on previous purchases. Cannot be combined with the other coupon.
See other Smooth Fitness coupon codes!

by Doug Desjardins

Encouraged by a strong response to online promotions during the holiday season, retailers are pursuing a similar strategy to boost Valentine’s Day sales. More retailers than ever are promoting sales and special offers on social media sites and offering free shipping  in an attempt to replicate the success those offers delivered last December.

Macy’s is holding a two-week promotion asking shoppers to submit “The Sweetest Tweet” on Macy’s Twitter page. Macy’s is awarding the person who submits the best love note comprised of 140 characters or less a one-karat diamond each day from Feb. 1 to 13 and will give the grand prize winner on Feb. 14 a three-stone diamond anniversary ring.

“We do an annual promotion around Valentine’s Day every year but this year we’re shifting the focus a bit,” said Holly Thomas, Macy’s public relations director. “We want it (Twitter) to be a pure and authentic channel between us and our followers.”

More than a dozen retailers and businesses, ranging from Barnes & Noble to Delta Airlines, are taking part in a promotion sponsored by PayPal offering a 10 percent discount on online purchases when buyers pay for a purchase through PayPal. PayPal is promoting the deal in conjunction with its fourth Annual “Can’t Buy me Love” survey that found half of consumers plan to spend less than $50 on Valentine’s Day this year compared to 2008, when 25% of respondents said they planned to spend under $50.

“Couples are committed to saving money this year but the good news is that there are plenty of great gifts at great prices out there,” said PayPal spokesperson Hillary Mendelsohn.  In addition to the 10-percent discount, jewelry retailer Zales is offering $50 off each purchase of $300-or-more through PayPal, and ProFlowers.com is offering 20 percent off all vases.

Retailers are also offering free shipping to appeal to budget-conscious consumers. Walgreen’s is providing free shipping on orders of $25-or-more made on its website when shoppers enter the coupon code LOVE25. And Amazon.com is following up on its successful holiday promotion with free shipping for Valentine’s Day gifts.

Another unique online promotion is being offered by the White Castle fast food chain, where restaurants are serving romantic dinners for two for couples who make their reservations online.  And visitors are being encouraged to share information about their dinners through Twitter.

The effectiveness of social media promotions was proven during the 2009 holiday season. According to research firm comscore, 28 percent of shoppers surveyed said their holiday buying decisions were influenced in some way by social media promotions.

Resources

Macy’s Invites Customers to Tweet for Diamonds

Less is more for U.S. Couples When Buying Valentine’s Day Gifts

Will You Be My Frugal Valentine?

Comscore Reports $29.1 Billion in U.S. Retail E-Commerce Spending for November-December Holiday Season

COUPON TIME

Sign up for our Twitter feed at twitter.com/ultimatecoupons for the greatest deals all year long–and check out our Valentine’s Day coupons for some great bargains on gifts for your sweetheart.

by Doug Desjardins

Retail trends for Valentine’s Day will shift this year, though the changes will be more a function of the timing of the holiday than the slow economy.

Research firm IBIS World is forecasting a 3.3-percent increase in consumer spending, a total of $17.6 billion for Valentine’s Day, a slight bump over a subpar 2009. And the increased spending will be weighted more toward non-traditional categories due to the fact that it falls in the middle of a three-day weekend.

“Because Valentine’s Day lands on Sunday, restaurants are likely to gain traffic throughout the entire weekend,” said Toon van Beeck, a senior analyst with IBIS World. “Furthermore, because President’s Day is on the following Monday, many consumers will be able to travel over the three-day weekend, further boosting sales.”

That’s part of the reason IBIS is expecting sales to decline in what are typically strong categories. The firm expects sales of flowers to drop 5 percent to $1.26 billion and jewelry sales to decline 5 percent to $1.31 billion. Candy sales are expected to fare better, but still fall 1 percent to $3.47 billion. Spending on greeting cards will also be sluggish, but IBIS is projecting a 2-percent increase in sales of intimate apparel.  Clothing sales are also projected to increase 2 percent to $1.13 billion.

IBIS expects the big winner this year to be the restaurant industry, and it’s forecasting an 8-percent increase in restaurant sales of $8.51 billion. Hotel revenues will also get a welcome boost with revenues projected to increase 2 percent over the long weekend. Several hotel chains, such as Renaissance Hotels and Las Vegas hotels owned by MGM including the MGM Grand, are promoting Valentine’s Day with special packages and low rates for couples looking for a weekend getaway.

As usual, retailers are using Valentine’s Day to promote sales of traditional gift items. Jewelry store chain Zale’s is offering 10 percent off storewide and has a sterling-silver pendant reduced from $119 to $29.99. Target has lowered prices on hundreds of gift items during a two-week sale combining the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day, and Macy’s is promoting the holiday with price cuts as part of its annual National Wear Red Day sale.

But analysts are warning retailers not to expect too much from shoppers this February. “Many retailers see Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to kick start the new year, but unemployment and the continued uncertainty of the economic recovery will hamper growth and expansion,”said van Beeck.   That view is shared by the National Retail Federation (NRF), which is predicting that the shoppers will be spending only 50 cents more on Valentine’s Day this year than they did in 2009, with the average shopper expected to spend $103 compared to $102.50 last year.

Resources

Retailers Expect Love on a Budget this Valentine’s Day

Las Vegas Hotel Valentine’s Day Deals

Valentine’s Day Spending Shift Suggests Consumers Loosening Up on Spending

COUPON TIME

Our Valentine’s Day coupons feature the sweetest deals!

Want to know when to score the best money-saving opportunities on a major purchase?  We’re doing that research for you!  Here’s a list of some of the best things to buy in February:

• Big-screen TVs (shop quickly, though–the good deals on these end tomorrow!)
• Jewelry–think Valentine’s Day bargains!
• Perfume–more Valentine’s Day sales!
• Floor coverings
• Housewares
• Furniture
• Cameras–these are still on sale as merchants look to clear out last year’s models
• Motorcycles
• Boats
• Recliners–for watching the big game!
• Tools
• Air conditioners–though these may be the last thing you’re thinking of buying in the middle of winter, this is the best time to buy!

With the Winter Olympics only one week away, it’s time to consider the fact that watching all the fascinating sports will inspire you–or your kids–to try something new. Back in the 70s, my sister and I wanted to skate just like Dorothy Hamill.   (We won’t talk about the haircut.)  Our parents had neither the budget nor the inclination to secure us any 4-AM ice time or a celebrity skating coach, so our dad decided to do the next best thing.

He built us a skating rink right in our own backyard.  Using only a bunch of scrap lumber and some heavy-duty plastic sheeting, Dad set up a rink near the back door.  On cold days, we could head outside and skate to our hearts’ content.

There was only one small problem.  Our backyard was on a slight slope–so slight that normally you wouldn’t even notice it.  But when Dad dragged out the garden hose and filled up the rink, all the water ran toward one end of the frame.  The ice was four inches thick on that side, but quite thin–and easy to crack–on the other.  And with super-thin ice, there was that danger that our skates would tear the plastic tarps that kept the water inside the rink.

We managed to have a lot of fun skating that winter anyway, even though we never did realize our Olympic aspirations.  But we got outside and enjoyed the physical activity–and the chance to dream.  And our dad enjoyed the fact that his kids considered him the coolest dad in town.

COUPON TIME

Free Shipping on orders over $150 at The North Face
Valid through: February 15, 2010
See other North Face coupons!

$10 off orders over $50 at The Sports Authority
Use coupon code TSAG33P.
Valid through: February 21, 2010
Valid for in-stock merchandise only. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offer nor is this offer valid on previous purchases. Offer excludes Adams Golf, adidas Golf, asics, Atec, Baby Jogger, BagBoy, Bauer, Bowflex, Bridgestone, Callaway, Carhartt, Cat Eye, Cleveland Golf, Cobra, Crocs, DeMarini, Ektelon, Escape, Fitness Quest, Footjoy, Head, Heavy Putter, Horizon, Huffy, Jugs, K2, Kettler, K-Swiss, Lifetime, Lobster, MacGregor, Magnum, Mammoth, MBT, Miken Sports, Mission, Mizuno, Mongoose, Nike Golf, Oakley, Prince, Pro Feet, Razors, Rollerblade, Salomon, Schwinn, Skycaddie, Sole, Spalding, TaylorMade, The North Face, Thule, Tippman, Titleist, Trend Sports, Under Armour, Wilson Racquet, Worth, and Yakima brands. Select electronics/optics, select fitness equipment, select table games, and trampolines & accessories. Other exclusions may apply. Discount does not apply to gift cards, gift certificates, taxes, shipping and handling charges, gift-wrapping or similar charges. Entire order must be shipped to a single address.
See other Sports Authority coupon codes!

Jewelry is the kind of gift that really requires the giver to know the personal taste of the recipient. Does she like traditional pearls or diamonds, or is she into more colorful gems or even large chunky wood or stone jewelry?  There are so many choices!

One of the latest trends in jewelry-buying is the customizable item.  There are companies that make beads that can be added to bracelets, necklaces or pendants to create a completely unique piece.  And some of this jewelry comes with special meaning.  One company has a story behind each individual bead or pendant–so when they are all put together into a bracelet or necklace, you get the name of each bead and its significance.  The beads are inspired by mythology, nature, famous places and life events.

Sound complicated?  It is, kind of, but it’s also pretty!  You can design your own piece or choose a predesigned item.  It’s almost like a wearable love poem!

COUPON TIME

SALE ENDS SUNDAY!

Valentine’s Day Sale:
25% off select pendants and free shipping at Ice.com
At checkout use coupon code SVP25.
Valid through: February 7, 2010.
Cannot be combined with other coupons or offers.
See other ice.com coupons!

$30 off $149 or more in Fine Jewelry or Watches at Sears.com
Use coupon code LOVE30 in your shopping cart.
Valid through: February 14, 2010
See other Sears coupon codes!

I’m convinced that any small child old enough to pick out his or her own clothes should wear a sign reading “I Dressed Myself Today.”  This way parents can’t be blamed for the interesting combinations that can result.

A friend and I both have seven-year-olds with the same strange wardrobe habit.  Her daughter and my son both believe that in order to “match,” they must wear the same color from head to toe.  So you might run into her little girl wearing a pink polka-dot top, pink plaid pants, and pink striped socks.  It’s all pink, so it matches.  Similarly, my son thinks that he should only wear blue t-shirts with blue jeans.  Red shirts need not apply.  (Fortunately, he wears a uniform to school, so I don’t have to police his “matching” decisions all the time.)

Recently I attended a funeral for a good friend’s father.  His youngest granddaughter is five years old, and her mom had a hard time finding an appropriate dress for the little girl to wear to the funeral.  She finally found a long black velveteen dress with a butterfly pattern.  That worked fine.  But this little girl has her own sense of style.  Despite the fact that she owns very nice black Mary Jane shoes, she chose to wear her “Ruby Slippers” to the funeral–as well as purple tights with big pink flowers on them.  She accessorized with a long strand of play-jewelry pearls.

COUPON TIME

15% off your order at The Children’s Place
During checkout, enter promotion code C99AA.
Valid through: February 7, 2010
See other Children’s Place coupons!

40% off your order at Justice
Use coupon code 775 in your shopping bag.
Valid through: February 10, 2010
Not valid on electronics, music, media or gift cards.
See other Justice coupon codes!