Yeah, Valentine's Day is just a few days away. If you haven't found that perfect gift yet - don't despair! You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a Valentine’s Day gift.
Even if you're concerned about the economy and trying to hold on to our ready cash (aren't we all!) it doesn’t mean you can’t say “I love you” on a budget. And you don't have to look cheap. There are lots of creative and inexpensive ways to prove your love for that special someone. Here are some great ideas from the heart that are sure to please and impress, and they won’t drain your bank account.
Gentlemen, if you haven't already figured this out, the trick is to give her a gift that looks like you put a lot of thought into it. (And if you use one or more of the ideas below, I promise your secret is safe with me!)
Deliver flowers to her office: Forget 1(800) DEADFLR. The trick here is to deliver them yourself. The fact that you took time out of your day to do this will score big with any girl. And the fact that everyone at the office can see them gives you bonus points for making her co-workers envious. Best of all - delivering them yourself is more personal and you just saved $10 - $15.
Stay in for the night: Unless you can reserve your own private restaurant, how romantic is Valentine’s Day, really?
I mean, you’re usually surrounded by lots of other people, in a small, crowded room, where your sweet nothings can be overheard by the couple at the next table. So do something different: invite her to dinner – at your place.
If you love to cook, great! Even a simple roast chicken dinner tastes different when accompanied with a good bottle of wine. If you're not a great cook, or don't have the time, take the pressure off yourself by whipping up a fantastic meal using store-bought ingredients.
Don’t forget to set the scene, either. Lots of candles, a nice tablecloth, linen napkins, and soft background music will raise the romance temperature to smokin’ hot!
Play her song: You both like music? Then make her a compilation CD of songs that make you think of her.
Print a custom cover from a photo on your hard drive, and dedicate the album to her. This is a gift that is sure to impress her with the time and thought you put into it.
Send her on a treasure hunt: This is another budget-friendly way to impress her. Take a trip to your local dollar discount or party supply store and get 3 – 6 inexpensive items. For each one, come up with a clever clue that sends her to the next item. Then hide the items all over your house or apartment (hint: it doesn’t hurt to have the final item in the bedroom). The last thing she finds should be something cute, like a teddy bear, or very personal, like lingerie.
Coupons he’ll covet: You know he’s going to ask for those special… mmm… “favors”. So why not make it fun? Give your guy a coupon book filled with clip-outs for his favorite things. Don’t be afraid to be a little wild and crazy: Breakfast in bed, served by you in his favorite lingerie. Or a 30-minute massage with edible oil of his choice. Or… you get the picture.
Serve him something sweet, warm, and gooey: Your grandma may have been right about the way to a man’s heart. Guys love home-baked goodies. So whip up a batch of his favorite cookies, brownies, or a big, luscious frosted cake.
If you’re not the “little-woman-in-the-kitchen” type, you can cheat a little. Buy refrigerated cookie dough and, before you bake the cookies, press a message into each cookie. If you’re really pressed for time, buy cookies from a bakery, warm them up for a few minutes in a 350F oven, and serve them on a heart-shaped platter. Don’t forget the milk!
Practically perfect: As further proof that men and women are from different planets, most men actually like useful presents. So while his thoughtful gift of a steam iron may have left you cold, he will probably be thrilled with a drill.
“Practical” extends to clothing, too. If your guy has a sense of humor, he’ll probably get a laugh out of some playful and cute underwear. What’s more, he’ll probably wear them with pride!
If you’re cash-strapped, or just trying to save a little, you’ll have to put in a little more effort. Try one of these creative ideas for your Valentine’s Day gift, and you’ll save money and your relationship.
And if you want more creative ideas for romance, grab a copy of this book by best-selling, Oprah-recommended author Michael Webb:
Inside, you'll find hundreds of quick and easy ideas for keeping the spark in your relationship - most cost less than $20! Plus, you'll find plenty of inspiration for bringing romance into your life every day of the year.
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