Give your valentine a desktop surprise with Windows XP
Wallpaper that says it all
By Katherine Murray
Looking for a unique way to show your valentine how much you care? You can create a Valentine's Day surprise worth remembering and sharing—and place it right on your loved one's desktop, where he or she is sure to see it. To create custom wallpaper for your valentine, follow these three simple steps:
1. | Choose the perfect photo. |
2. | Add words from the heart. |
3. | Make it your valentine's desktop wallpaper. |
Choose just the right photo
What kind of photo makes the best wallpaper? Here are some guidelines for choosing the best image:
| • | Think "love." Choose a photo that shows the love, joy, adventure, or laughter you have shared with your valentine. |
| • | Get close. Focus on the most important part of the photo by cropping out the details that don't matter. |
| • | Lighten up. Use simple image-editing techniques to fix lighting and color imbalances. |
| • | Get creative. Experiment with special filters (like sepia) or effects to create a unique look. |
| • | Location, location, location. If you're using an image editor like Microsoft Digital Image Suite or Adobe Photoshop, you can select an image of you and your valentine and edit it into a romantic background, such as a deserted beach. |
Add just the right words
Now that you've chosen and edited the image, what do you want to say? You can use the text tool in your image editor to add a saying or quotation that evokes romantic memories. If you're not sure what to say, try using these ideas for inspiration:
| • | Use your favorite search engine to find a quote about love or marriage. |
| • | Think back over your favorite songs. What are the titles or lyrics? |
| • | What was special about your wedding vows, or, if you're dating, is there a special phrase that makes you both laugh? |
| • | Still drawing a blank? What are your favorite movies? Did a character in a movie say something you wish you'd said? Use that quote on your wallpaper to add that extra dramatic touch. |
Make it your valentine's desktop wallpaper
Now that you've created your image, you can add it to your loved one's desktop.
To change your desktop wallpaper in Windows XP:
1. | Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Appearance and Themes.  Tip: If the Appearances and Themes category is not visible, click Switch to Category View in the left-hand pane of Control Panel. |
2. | Under Pick a Task area, click Change the desktop background, and then click Browse. |
3. | Navigate to the My Pictures folder (or wherever you chose to save the image you want to use). |
4. | Click the image, click Open, and then click Apply in the Display Properties dialog box. |
5. | Click OK to save your settings. |
Now sit back and survey your work. Imagine your valentine's face as he or she sits down to check e-mail and instead finds your message of love. Warms the heart, doesn't it?
