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How do you make your home eco-friendly? The truth is, you don’t need your home to be completely rebuilt from scratch. You just need some simple and doable steps to make that switch to an eco-friendly home. Here are some examples.

Forget about hiring professional cleaners just to achieve super clean and well sanitized floors. Here we list some of our proven floor maintenance tips for pet owners. Because just like you, we also want our home to be clean for our loved ones and pets. 

Love knows no bounds and this makes Valentine's Day such a special day for everyone in the family. No matter your age, social status, gender and race - this day is for you! Let’s celebrate it with the spirit of love and generosity. The best thing about it is you do not have to break the bank just to make this day extra special. If you’re looking for something simple, classy, unique and everything in between, we have you covered!

Here are some great Valentine gift ideas that will suit every budget and your loved one’s personality.

1. Wine Glass

Budget: $5 - $95

Valentine's Day celebration is often celebrated with popping corks and candle light dinners. Make it extra special this time by having your dinner date at home with your partner’s favorite wine served in a stunning champagne glass.  

While there are many things that influence our definition of a good wine, there is no doubt the glass in which it is served also has a significant impact on its taste. So, this Valentine’s Day don’t just serve wine in your usual wine glass. Make it extra special with this Champagne Flute Glass from Ireland and remember, it’s never good to keep things bottled up!  Other options that are just as beautiful for a Valentine gift include:

V is for Vodka

Martini Chiller Glass

2. Wine Display Rack 

Budget: $30

A wine display rack is for that special someone who loves to collect wine but no longer has enough space in the kitchen to store them. Encourage him or her to turn that blank wall into a beautiful space for wine displays. For only $30, you will have a wine display rack that you can keep adding to your wall as your wine collection also grows. 

They say that wines are bottled poetry, for they tell wonderful stories of places where they originate. If you find your wine collection growing, why not take those bottles of poetry to the wall? They’ll definitely tell a thousand stories to your guests and loved ones. Not to mention that these wines also convey memories of good times, good conversations and satisfied tummies. 

A La Carte’s wine display rack is designed with an elegant look so you don’t have to worry about trying to make them fit seamlessly into someone’s kitchen interior design. Its minimalistic design enables your bottles of wine to stand out, and their labels easier to read. 

Because this Valentine’s Day, all you need is love and a bottle of good wine. So, make sure it’s stocked on a great wine rack!

3. Scented Candles 

Budget: $18- $25

When you just can’t seem to find the words to say how your loved one lights up your life in a very special way, having these scented candles as a gift will help you convey the message.  These scented candles exude more than just floral scents. They also do a great job at elevating the ambience from ordinary to a Cupid-themed atmosphere. This is such an ideal Valentine gift for someone who could use some warm hugs…and warm candles! Here are some of our personal favorites:

Ardent Love Pink Candle

Love You Jar Candle

Yes You Candle

4. Jewelry Tree Stand 

Nobody has ever said “I have enough jewelry”.

So, this makes a jewelry stand a total necessity and a perfect Valentine gift for your loved one.  A Jewelry tree stand is also perfect for a person whose idea of jewelry organization is the use of Ziploc bags 🤣. This Valentine’s Day, surprise your loved one with this jewelry stand that doubles as a room decor. With this jewelry stand, necklaces, rings, watches and earrings can be organized so easily. Your loved one can now easily grab which one suits his or her outfit of the day. 

This three-tier stand will make anyone’s vanity desk look really special. Not to mention being totally organized. In addition to its three tiers, it also has a small tray on its base which can hold small objects and keep it in place. The combination of wood and white metal will make it easier for you to complement any space.

5. Blender Spatulas

Budget : $12

Have you started your countdown of the “15 ways to say I love you with cookies”? You’d better start it now but not without a kitchen gadget as a Valentine gift. This gift is for someone who loves everything utilitarian. 

Does your Valentine plan to bake some cookies and cakes to celebrate this special day? This set of blender spatulas will be such a sweet surprise. After all, the best Valentine gift is something that you can use every day. 

These blender spatulas are not only good for getting every bit of food out of the blender, it could also be your very useful kitchen gadget to serve in a variety of kitchen tasks. From whipping up your favorite dishes to spreading jams or peanut butter onto your toast - these spatulas can be so durable and versatile!

6. Book Reading Light  

Budget: $20- $30

If your special someone is a bookworm, then a book reading light would be a perfect gift this Valentine’s day. This is also an ideal gift for someone who loves to knit or crochet. Reading, knitting or crocheting can still be done even after all the lights have been turned off. You don’t have to worry about disturbing other people’s sleep because you can quietly read a book without disturbing loved one beside you can simply get a good night's sleep.  

With 3 types of lights to choose from, you may decide whether you want yellow, warm white or cool light. It is equipped with type-C rechargeable USB and is designed with advanced LED beads so you won’t strain your eyes with diminishing brightness like you would experience with other types of reading lamps or lights. 

You can use it hands-free and adjust its arms according to what’s most convenient and comfortable for you. 

7. Shooting Paper Targets

Budget: $35

Don’t just let Cupid hit your heart with an arrow. 

Let the feeling out with a blast! Check out this Precision Shooting Target that you can use both indoor or outdoor. It's designed to withstand outdoor elements so the two of you can still go out for a shooting Valentine date no matter the weather. 

This gift will definitely surprise that special someone who loves to go shooting at the range. This is also perfect for a Valentine partner who is looking to hone his or her skills in firearm shooting. 

We, at A La Carte Cooking, believe that no amount of “I Love You’s” in life can truly express the love that we share with our special someone. But we do hope these Valentine gifts will help this day become one that will be remembered all the days of our lives. 

If you think this post has helped you decide what to give as Valentine gifts for your loved ones, feel free to enter your email so you can be notified when we publish helpful posts like this.

Ring out the old to Ring in the NEW. 2021 is going, let it go to welcome 2022! 

Thanks to poet Alfred Lord Tennyson, these lines help us welcome new beginnings with an open mind and open heart. When you “ring in the new” it’s like telling yourself to be prepared to do things that’ll help you start the year right. 

But do you know what’s the best part of seeing 2021 come to an end? It also means you’re witnessing how 2022 will be ushered in with good spirits. And yes, there are many ways to start the year right.  

While it’s so tempting to just lie on the couch in your favorite pajamas on a New Year’s, you simply can’t do it when you’re hosting the celebration. You have to do something that’s fun, memorable and meaningful. This way, your friends will forever be grateful they rang in the New Year with you.

Here are some fun ideas on how to start the year right:

Hallmark Christmas Movie Marathon

Invite your friends to a night of heartfelt yuletide tales by watching Hallmark Christmas movies.  It’s not just about escapism entertainment. It really does not matter whether you or your friend are a seasoned “Hallmarkie,” watching these movies have been proven to touch everyone’s soft side. 

Besides, in this pandemic era that we are living in now, many people would surely appreciate movies about “happily ever afters”. Doing this helps set an optimistic tone for everyone to start the year right.  And when a movie marathon calls for a break, take the time to prepare an easy Dalgona Recipe for everyone.

Trivia Nights

Hosting a house party and entertaining your friends on a New Year’s Eve can be tough. This is true especially if you have you're hosting a group of people from different walks of life. So, if a Hallmark movie won’t seem to keep them up until 12:01, a night of Trivia Games will definitely help them start the year right with happy and curious minds.

Trivia Games that have different categories i.e. music, Hollywood, history, Christmas facts and general knowledge will help keep everyone competitive and excited. Or, you can play the “Say Anything” game to keep the conversation and the cocktails flowing!

Make it more exciting by giving some prizes to the winning team such as a bottle of wine that they can take home. Check out Monte De Oro as a good option.

Corn Hole Drinking Game 

Corn Hole Games have long been a real hit among families and friends (and backyards). This is why when Taco Bell recently decided to add corn holes as part of their stores’ outdoor setting, it elicited many positive responses from their customers. 

But your home does not have to look like Taco Bell’s. A game of corn hole will certainly be a good way to entertain friends and families on New Year’s. 

Supercharge America’s favorite backyard game by pairing it with the right kind of drinks. Maybe your corn hole game even doubles as a drinking game, wink wink...

So, prepare the game and the beverages!  You can even level up the game by making cocktails that add some holiday twist to the excitement. Try A La Carte's Spicy Cranberry Moscow Mule.

“Heightened” S’mores Party

From heightened s’mores, double-decker s’mores to everything that’s s’mores related - you could never go wrong with setting up a s’mores bar where all the bevy of sweet, chocolatey and colorful crackers and spreads can be found near the fireplace. 

Who could ever resist that perfect gooey filling for a bar of chocolate and the fun that goes with assembling your s’mores? Not to mention the thrill and laughter of adults licking their chocolatey fingers after all the crackers were eaten!

Creating s’mores recipes is such a perfect way to start the year right with your family and friends. Adults and kids will all enjoy the time spent together creating their own s’mores recipes. Can you picture the fun and laughter taking place in your own home? 

Get ready to give a reward for the best Instagram-worthy s’mores. 

Minute to Win It Games

Hershey Kisses New Year’s Eve Countdown and Champagne Relay Race are a few of the many games that will keep your guests entertained the whole night. While the memories of how fun the game turned out to be will last the whole year. 

The Hershey Kisses New Year’s Eve Countdown lets everyone put the right kisses in the right disposable cups. These chocolate Kisses have a number at the bottom and each has a corresponding cup to pair with. The first one to complete the pairing wins! 

The Champagne Relay Race requires each participant to fill up the champagne flutes with wine the fastest way they can. The catch? Each person will only be allowed to use a tablespoon to fill it up! The mechanics are so simple yet it’s the quickest way to get your guests laughing their way to midnight. Isn’t it a wonderful way to start the year?

Start the year right and you’ll always be in good light. Begin the day with a happy self and everything else will lead to a happier YOU. 

Remember, there’s no better way to ring in the New Year than to be with your loved ones.

Cheers to ringing in 2022!