We’ve said Happy New Year to the trees and are now contemplating Purim costumes but before we get there, it’s time for the red and pink heart-filled holiday of Valentine’s Day.  I realize in some Jewish circles celebrating (St.) Valentine’s Day is a no-no and even if it’s not, there are those who simply refuse to buy into a totally commercial holiday.  I fall into neither camp – to me, it’s just a nice excuse to remind folks we love ’em, combat the winter blahs with a little color and of course it’s a great excuse for a little card-making and/or shopping.  Some of my earliest memories are gluing down doilies and applying foiled red heart stickers to family valentines.

It is only fitting that throughout this post you will see the Hebrew word for love: ahava(אהבה).  Stay tuned for some homemade Valentine cards with this in mind as well.  But for now, in case you want to give your Valentine’s Day a little bit of a MOT twist, here are a few gift ideas (so just forward this link to the loves in your life if something strikes your fancy).

• An Ahava silver necklace or a gold one with a little heart

• Keeping with the theme of Ahava, you could literally get some AHAVA, some of the best skin-care, straight from the Dead Sea.  Their hand cream is my fave!  They even have a nice men’s line for the guys in your life.

• I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again…one of my favorite Judaica artists is Emily Rosenfeld.  I love how modern and simple her pieces are.  We have the Noah’s Ark mezuzah for my son’s room.  I suggested it for Mother’s Day but it’d be just awesome for Valentine’s Day – the Tiny Heart Necklace with initials in Hebrew (either for your kids or you and your beloved) is so so sweet.  She’s also got a bunch of other sweet hearts with different symbols.

• I also think this ahava ring bowl available at Modern Tribe is so lovely and could be a lovely engagement present too!

• And for your friends still looking for their funny Valentine, you can always go with this from Modern Tribe. 🙂

Hopefully you now have a few unique MOT Valentine’s ideas for whoever you want to share a little love with (including yourself!)