Dear gentlemen!!! I want to help you to surprise your ladies!

What will ultimately win the heart of most any woman is having the memory of an elephant. You would do well to remember her favorite holidays as they are the perfect excuse to cut loose and party. There are three Russian holidays, you should pay particular attention.



Her birthday. There isn't a woman in the world, who does not think much of her own birthday. It's the one day of the year that is hers and hers alone. Although slightly more grounded than most, Russian women are no different. Again albeit a slight one, the difference in how women's birthdays are treated in Russia compared to elsewhere is in the magnitude of the gifts.

Russians do not shower their women with little tokens of appreciation, but instead lavish them with something spectacular in nature like jewelry. If you are not at the stage of the relationship where you feel comfortable spending a good chunk of money, then flex your creativity muscles and think outside of the box. Going "big" does not necessarily mean monetarily. Russian love spontaneity.

Write her a poem about how beautiful and unique she is to you.

Send her a bouquet of flowers and take the painstaking measure to make sure that those flowers are the first thing she wakes up to in the morning.

Order her a bottle of champagne and chocolates.

If she likes to read, buy her books or her favorite music.

Whatsoever you choose to do, make sure the message you are sending is clear, "she matters most in your life". It may not necessarily have to be true, but for at least one day out of the year, make her like it.



New Years. Ever since the Socialist Revolution, Church and State had been kept separate in Russia, leaving Christmas somewhat of a forbidden holiday. In place of Christmas, the Soviet peoples placed more emphasis on New Years. Although nowadays, Christmas is celebrated throughout Russia, New Years is still the preeminent winter holiday and second most important holiday overall on our list.



New Years is often celebrated in Russia with reference to the Eastern (Chinese and Japanese) calendar, which would actually make January 7th the true Russian New Year. It also means that each year is named after one of 12 animals and one of 5 elements. That would make 2012 the year of the Water Dragon.



To give you an idea as to how Russians ring in the new year, there is a presidential address on television regaling viewers with the highlights of the year that was in Russian affairs at approximately 11:55p local time in each respective time zone. Most people have already had their share of Russian salad, caviar and sparkling glasses of bubbly. As soon as the clock strikes midnight, toasts are made and little gifts exchanged.



For the truly clever, an ideal gift for your special Russian lady may very well be a souvenir, but one of significance to the astrology of the year. A little figurine depicting an animal of the year, which in the case of 2012 would be a dragon, or a big plush animal toy would commemorate the holiday suitably.



International Women’s Day (8th of March). Last, but certainly not least, is International Women's Day. Of all the holidays on the calendar, International Women's Day is the one day you, simply, must not forget. Consider March 8th a double jeopardy of Valentine's Day and Mother's Day rolled into one. Screw up and you are probably sleeping on the couch or catching a cold from the arctic draft bellowing from the cold shoulder treatment. Mark this date in your smartphone=)



This holiday is devoted to cherishing all women in Russia and without a shadow of a doubt, the best gift would have to be flowers – the more, the better. Champagne and chocolates will do as well. For a guide on what particular gifts you should get your Russian bride, consult with our blog entry, "The Art of Gift Giving". One last thing before we sign off. Do not forget to send some flowers to her mother. After all, she is a woman too! Currying her mother's favor definitely will not hurt your chances.

Dearest men, May the Love, Peace, and Joy of Christmas be yours always!!!