Romance on a Budget

Valentine's Day is often synonymous with lush velvety looking red roses and spending big bucks on your sweetie. You're blinded by advertisements touting the latest luxury jewelry, over-priced flowers, and exquisite five star dining. You can sometimes feel pressure from this single day that is supposed to symbolize and convey your emotion of love to your sweetheart. Expressing your love can be shown with frugal abundance and still create heartfelt memories.

You may not do anything at all because you feel that you can't afford it. Don't skip the holiday completely. The following are some traditional ideas and then some frugal alternative tips for inexpensive and thoughtful ways to express that you care without completely emptying your wallet.

Romantic movies

Movies are popular on Valentine's Day. There isn't any doubt that this idea rates highly on the snuggle meter.

The following are some movie suggestions:

Sleepless in Seattle
Message in a Bottle
Bridges of Madison County
City of Angels
Bridget Jones's Diary
Somehere in Time
As Good As IT Gets
Jerry Maquire
Something's Gotta Give
Amelie

Traditional: Big night out at the theater with the works. Cha-ching

Creatively Frugal: Select a nice romantic comedy for your sweetie. Pop some popcorn, pour your favorite beverage of choice, and light a fire if you're able to or at least some candles. It's all about ambience. You both can cuddle up on the couch or have blankets and pillows out on the floor.

Confectionary Treats

Hard to imagine Valentine's Day without candy. The holiday is notorious for chocolates. They're definitely decadent and these treats have been acclaimed to have an aphrodisiac effect. It's difficult to pass up this romantic suggestion.

Traditional: Godiva chocolates or satin and velvet heart shaped box of chocolates. Oohlala.

Creatively Frugal: Bulk candy or homemade candy, baked goods, or just coffee and a dessert at a quiet cafe.

Here are two great chocolate creations to make yourself.

Chocolate Pretzels
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/getrecipe.zsp?id=104975

Chocolate Popcorn
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/getrecipe.zsp?id=19087

Beautiful Bouquets

Saying "I love you" with flowers can make a lasting impression.

Traditional: A dozen roses with a short lifespan and hefty price. You think you're smart when you select multi-colored or any color besides red roses, but oops what about all those rose flower meanings? Are you accurately describing your feelings?

Creatively Frugal: Try a single bulb to force such as an amaryllis or tulip, a collection of seed packets for spring planting, or one single flower with the recipient's favorite hot beverage in the morning.

Festive Feast

A romantic night out can be lovely. You can have reservations made in advance and can get gussied up for an enjoyable evening. Planning the perfect setting complete with candles, wine, and excellent service is so romantic.

Traditional: Expensive restaurant out on the town. The problem is that everyone else has the same idea. You'll often run into staff that is rushed or crowded parking lots and restaurants. This suggestion has the best of intentions, but lacks privacy and could easily prove to be the least romantic.

Creatively Frugal: Valentine's Day breakfast versus dinner out or breakfast in bed. So many small details can be created with serving a meal at home. It provides the feeling of appreciation.

You can light small votice candles, use favorite glasses, play soft music, and use cloth napkins. The meal itself doesn't need to be fancy. Use your creativity. If you don't have a tray, use a folded tablecloth or a nice basket. By all means, don't forget to clean up!

Penned Sentiments

Greeting cards are an excellent choice to show you care. There are endless varieties of romance cards. A card is well-received.

Traditional: The perfect card for your valentine. You look through aisles and rows of costly greeting cards and spend hours trying to find the perfect one. Valentine's Day is the second largest card-giving holiday and that is reflected in the stores. In the mad rush to grab a card and get it delivered, you just sign it "with love".

Creatively Frugal: Try love coupons, homemade card, handwritten letter, or cut out cartoons from newspaper and add a few words to it. It's so much more sincere in your own words from your heart. It's all about the presentation. Don't just toss your handwritten sentiment at your love.

Delightful Pampering

Cupid's arrow is sure to hit when you give your love a day of overindulgence. Being carefree is so appealing.

Traditional: Spending a ton of cash on a spa day gift certificate for your sweetie.

Creatively Frugal: Make a comfort box. In the box add a cd, scented lotions, bubblebath, hairbrush, candles, tea, cocoa, coffee, book, bookmark, and give a massage from you.

As you can see, creating loving and memorable moments doesn't have to carry exorbitant prices. It's a day of expressing your affection and doesn't have to break the bank. Traditional romance can be nice, but it is often overrated. Being creatively frugal is a gift of the heart. Give your loved one the gift of your time and thoughtfulness.

If you're desperate and reading this, I'll leave you with a small list of last minute ideas:

Dance to a slow song.

Take a walk and hold hands.

Take a drive and tell your love your feelings from your heart. Go to a local playground and play on the swings.

Read to your sweetie or recite a romantic song.

Add red to the day with red cookies, clothing, candles, lipstick, red fruit, etc.

Sit and talk and reminsice and talk about your dreams together.

Play a board game or assemble a puzzle together.

Watch the sunrise or sunset together.

Find a trophy at the thrift store to give.

Place notes in hidden places in the house for them to find. It's extra special when they dont find them all and come across them after the holiday is over.

Frame a picture of the two of you or a place you both have enjoyed together, or make a collage of sentimental tokens collected during your relationship.

Balloons are a nice gift. Keep in mind that you can tuck a note inside a latex balloon before filling it or attach an item to a balloon.

Happy Valentine's Day and here's wishing that love fills the air as you celebrate with your dearest.

Sara Noel is a freelance writer and the Editor/Publisher of http://www.FrugalVillage.com and http://www.HomesteadGarden.com Visit both these sites for information on getting back to basics through frugality, gardening, lost arts, simplicity, homesteading, and natural family living.

---

Valentines Day Flowers

Flowers & Valentine's Day go hand in hand. Your Valentine... Read More

For Thanksgiving ? Be Thankful He?s Not the Cheating Kind

Infidelity is at an all time high. According to the... Read More

St. Patricks Day Quotations

"It's not that the Irish are cynical. It's rather that... Read More

Trick or Treating Safety

Halloween is such a fun time of year for kids... Read More

Buying Jewelry for Mother?s Day or How To Buy The Perfect Gift for Mom Without Getting Ripped Off

Jewelry can be the perfect gift for mom on Mother's... Read More

Ten Tips for a Real Holiday Season

Holidays and the start of a new year inevitably make... Read More

Mothers Day Shopping Ideas

Do you know a Mom who needs to be thanked... Read More

Low On Cash For Christmas? Try Gifts in a Jar

Time is money, and right now you don't have either... Read More

Jewelry As A Father?s Day Gift

It is widely known that many men enjoy fine jewelry.... Read More

How Santa Makes Out His Christmas List

How Does Santa Make Out His List?I'll let you in... Read More

Create Warm Memories with Holiday Traditions

I remember just a handful of the Christmas presents I... Read More

10 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day for remembering those who have... Read More

Christmas Shopping for a New Love

Christmas is a magical time of year, especially for those... Read More

Valentines Day is NOT only for Lovers

Some people hate to see Valentines Day come around. Some... Read More

Five Inexpensive Ways to Help Your Children Invest in Holiday Memories

Christmas memories are never dependent on the amount of money... Read More

Tools and Tips for Keeping the Holidays Organized

It's November 1st. You've walked into your favorite store to... Read More

Lets NOT Talk Turkey

The carving. The leftovers. The endless stuffing. Actually, you love... Read More

Birthday Gift Baskets ? The Ideal Gift For Everyone!

No matter how old we are, we enjoy being remembered... Read More

Easy Gift Ideas For Dad On Fathers Day

Father's Day is just around the corner. If you're looking... Read More

The Origins Of Mothers Day

Today Mother's Day or Mothering Sunday is celebrated all over... Read More

The Perfect Birthday Present for that Little Girl (No Batteries Required)

The DilemmaAs a mom of a five-year-old girl, I have... Read More

Magical Plants of Christmas

Most of the plants we associate with the holiday season... Read More

The History And Origin Of Valentines Day

The oldest Valentine card still in existence was sent in... Read More

Costumes! Do They Reflect On Your True Personality?

Costumes are a great way to escape reality, and wearing... Read More

The Fathers Day Celebration

Fathers Day is another reason to celebrate another responsible adult... Read More

Online Shopping: Tips For Holidays Gift Shopping

It is holidays time, and you've the money and you... Read More

Holiday Health: Give Get-Fit Gifts

'Tis the season to celebrate -- and a time to... Read More

Patience

Ever since my girls were little, I've tried to teach... Read More

Valentines Day Rapport

How to develop and heighten rapport on Valentines Day beyond... Read More

Fathers Day Gift Guide

Fathers Day is the one day of the year when... Read More

Gift Giving During Thanksgiving Adds That Special Touch

Many of us believe Christmas is one of the most... Read More

Glorious Holiday Decorating (Without Breaking the Bank or Losing Your Sanity)

Decorating for the holidays can be both expensive and emotionally... Read More

St Valentines Day, Festival of the Matchmakers

There are as many as eight possible Valentines Day origins... Read More