Valentine greetings have been popular since the Middle Ages. The first commercially printed Valentine cards in America appeared in the 1840s. Today, an estimated one billion cards are sent each year, often accompanying the popular gifts of candy and flowers.

Make Valentine's Day even more special when you bring your valentine to the beach.

Those gestures are wonderful, sweet, and certainly appreciated by anyone who receives them. But wouldn’t you like to do something a little different for your sweetheart this year? Say “I love you” by creating a wonderful memory together at the beach.

We can help by offering some love to your budget. When you take advantage of the Valentine Special through Meyer Vacation Rentals, you’ll receive TWO free nights. Rent a romantic 1-bedroom beach or bay property for four nights, but just pay for two. That’s a 50% savings!

If you prefer to celebrate the occasion with spacious, private accommodations for the whole family, rent a house for seven nights and get the sixth and seventh nights free.

Even if you can’t stay the extra nights, you can use them for an early check-in and late check-out, allowing for more leisure time along the coast.

So instead of thinking red or pink this Valentine’s Day, think white sands and blue water—and a little extra green in your pocket. Your sweetheart will love you for it.

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

There is no shortage of opportunities on our island to celebrate the turnover of the calendar year. Some are catering to children and their families, some to the not-so-late-night partiers, some to the energetic adult crowd. But The Wharf in Orange Beach is offering something for all, and admission is free.

Party with the kids all day and your friends all night. Free New Year's Eve celebrations at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama.

From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. December 31, families can enjoy discounted Ferris wheel rides, face painting, clowns, kids games and contests, special movie presentations, giant sand piles, a bounce house and more. The active day will ensure the kids an early, solid night’s sleep that your trusted babysitter will appreciate.

But your celebration is far from over. Beginning at 6 p.m., six bands on two stages will be cranking out the tunes and keeping your energy revved. As street dancers and firebreathers stroll the grounds, you will enjoy plenty of food and beverages to keep you active into the night. Count down with Lady Gaga as the New York celebration is shown on the JumboTron, then count down with the local crowd as the 14-foot jeweled marlin drops. Toast the new year as large, colorful fireworks marks the occasion.

The night doesn’t have to end at midnight. Head to the Las Vegas Club at the Orange Beach Event Center next to the Main Street area. Or hop a free shuttle to Flora-Bama or Live Bait to extend your festivities into the wee hours.

It’s not too late to gather your family or a group of friends and head to the beach. We’ll even give you TWO FREE NIGHTS! Perhaps a 2-bedroom condo in Orange Beach would be the perfect size, or maybe a 3-bedroom Perdido Key property would be ideal.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

The staff and patrons of the world-famous Flora-Bama Lounge, Package and Oyster Bar know how to party. (If you’ve been there, no doubt you can attest to that fact.) So it’s no surprise that the biggest party night of the year will have the state-line roadhouse jumpin’.

From a dinner buffet to breakfast, with 4 bands on 2 stages, Flora-Bama has it covered for New Year's Eve.

Beginning at 7 p.m., two stages of entertainment will keep things lively—and you’ll enjoy two bands on each stage. The Deck Stage will host Big Muddy and Troy Brannon, while J. Hawkins and Lucky Doggs will appear on the Tent Stage.

A sumptuous dinner buffet will be served throughout the evening, and there will be party favors for everyone. The champagne toast at midnight will kick off 2012, followed by a delicious breakfast.

Get your New Year’s Party tickets in advance to ensure your place at the party. Those 21 and older will pay just $35 for a night of festivities, while the 18–20 set will pay $45. You can also purchase tickets at the T-shirt trailer at Flora-Bama.

Last-minute beach trips are always welcome, so come celebrate the arrival of 2012 in our backyard. We’ll even give you TWO FREE NIGHTS! Make it a romantic getaway in a 1-bedroom property in Orange Beach or gather a large group and share a roomy 5-bedroom Perdido Key condo.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

Let’s face it: Even those who enjoy a good party don’t necessarily want to stay out until midnight or beyond. That can create a bit of a challenge on New Year’s Eve when midnight is the focal point of the celebration.

Enjoy a New Year's Eve party in Gulf Shores, Alabama that won't keep you up past midnight.

But if you are in the Gulf Shores area, consider the issue solved. Come to the Early Bird New Year’s Eve Bash created for people just like you! Listen or dance to top-notch live music, compete in the table decoration contest if you wish, celebrate the close of 2011 and the birth of 2012, and let your presence there be your final good deed of this year.

To get the most out of the evening, plan to be at the Erie Meyer Civic Center when the doors open at 6 p.m. this Saturday, December 31. Bring festive decorations for your table, but please leave the confetti, glitter and open flames at home. The table with the most outrageous decor gets bragging rights and a little something from the musical star of the evening.

Beginning at 7:00, the 2011 Trop Rock Singer/Songwriter of the Year, Brent Burns, will be sharing his popular blend of covers and original music, including a number of humorous musical commentaries for which he is well known.

The food will be perfect, as you will be supplying your own snacks and drinks. (Alcohol is allowed; please drink responsibly.) Bring enough goodies for just you, or plenty to share—whatever makes you happy. After all, it’s your party!

The $15 advance tickets are available at the Christian Service Center, 317 Dolphin Avenue in Gulf Shores, open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon; cash or checks are accepted. You may also purchase admission through the Brent Burns website or by calling 251- 948-8863; or pay $20 at the door (space permitting). Book an entire table of 8 for $120 and you will have reserved seating. All proceeds benefit the Christian Service Center, a 100% volunteer organization that gives a hand up, not a hand out, to those in need.

Come join us at the beach to ring in the new year. We’ll even give you TWO FREE NIGHTS! Grab a buddy or your significant other and relax in a cozy 1-bedroom property in Gulf Shores or bring another couple or a few friends to share a 2-bedroom Fort Morgan condo.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

“3, 2, 1 . . .” But it’s too late. Midnight is too late. Your children begged to stay up to see 2011 arrive, but those young eyes just couldn’t stay open that long. Of course, you weren’t surprised, but it was disappointing for them.

Let the young ones celebrate 2012 as they count down to noon December 31 at LuLu's in Gulf Shores.

This year, though, let them experience an event that will make them quite happy. The staff at LuLu’s in Gulf Shores, Alabama is again offering your kids a grand celebration at an hour suited for them. Bring the kids to the Noon Year’s Eve party and let them count down to 12:00 while the sun shines high in the sky.

Doors will open at 10 a.m. for the festivities that include face painting, clowns, games, and a sand castle-building contest. Our own “Little Zoo That Could” will have animals to pet and play with, too. At noon, the countdown will lead to kid-safe fireworks.

At 11 a.m., Amanda Shaw and her band, The Cute Guys, will present a free concert. This petite, 19-year-old champion fiddler was the youngest soloist ever with the Baton Rouge Symphony—at age 8. Since then, she has written and arranged music to play on her recordings and during national and international tours, and she has twice held featured roles in Disney movies. Her entertaining and inspiring performance is guaranteed to captivate all ages.

If you are thinking about making it a beach weekend with your family, perhaps we can encourage you with TWO FREE NIGHTS in a 3-bedroom condo in Gulf Shores or a 3-bedroom Fort Morgan property.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

The New Year’s Eve dilemma: Do you go out, stay in, or even stay up?

The Fire and Ice Party for New Year's Eve at The Hangout features Kristy Lee and much more.

The Hangout is making your choice easy this year with the Fire & Ice New Year’s Eve party—a don’t-miss concert, a hugely popular DJ and a burlesque dance show, plus a champagne toast and finger food at midnight. And you just might win a pair of tickets to The Hangout Music Fest!

The concert artist is the sensational Kristy Lee. This Mobile gal is just finishing a tour with the legendary Leon Russell, and she will soon be appearing on select national tour dates with G. Love and Special Sauce. Her smooth, powerful voice and special brand of music will pull you in to listen and pull you out on the dance floor.

DJ Tony Skratchere of New Orleans brings his mix of 80s smooth rock spiced with New Orleans bounce, hip hop and exceptional turntablism. When the burlesque show dancers take the stage, be ready to feel the heat.

Watch the countdown to 2012 as the balloon drops, toast the moment, and cross your fingers, as a winner of a pair of tickets to The Hangout Music Fest 2012 will be announced. Will it be you?

Tickets are $20 in advance or at the door; military with ID $15. The event is open to those 21 and older.

Grab your friends and come to the beach to ring in the new year. The more the merrier—and the more affordable. Fill a 5-bedroom condo or house in Gulf Shores, or maybe a 6-bedroom Gulf Shores property. You’ll be close to The Hangout, and you can get 2 FREE nights when you use promo code 11HOL.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.