| Valentine's Day is often synonymous with lush | | | | intentions, but lacks privacy and could easily prove to |
| velvety looking red | | | | be the least romantic.Creatively Frugal: Valentine's |
| roses and spending big bucks on your sweetie. | | | | Day breakfast versus dinner out or |
| You're blinded by | | | | breakfast in bed. So many small details can be |
| advertisements touting the latest luxury jewelry, | | | | created with serving a meal at home. It provides the |
| over-priced flowers, and exquisite five star dining. | | | | feeling of appreciation.You can light small votice |
| You can sometimes feel pressure from this single | | | | candles, use favorite glasses, play soft music, and |
| day that is supposed to symbolize and convey your | | | | use cloth napkins. The meal itself doesn't need to be |
| emotion of love to your sweetheart. Expressing your | | | | fancy. Use your creativity. If you don't have a tray, |
| love can be shown with frugal abundance and still | | | | use a folded tablecloth or a nice basket. By all means, |
| create heartfelt memories.You may not do anything | | | | don't forget to clean up!Penned SentimentsGreeting |
| at all because you feel that you can't afford it. Don't | | | | cards are an excellent choice to show you care. |
| skip the holiday completely. The following are some | | | | There are endless varieties of romance cards. A card |
| traditional ideas and then some frugal alternative tips | | | | is well-received.Traditional: The perfect card for your |
| for | | | | valentine. You look through aisles and rows of costly |
| inexpensive and thoughtful ways to express that | | | | greeting cards and spend hours trying to find the |
| you care without | | | | perfect one. Valentine's Day is the second largest |
| completely emptying your wallet.Romantic | | | | card-giving holiday and that is reflected in the stores. |
| moviesMovies are popular on Valentine's Day. There | | | | In the mad rush to grab a card and get it delivered, |
| isn't any doubt that this idea rates highly on the | | | | you just sign it "with love".Creatively Frugal: Try love |
| snuggle meter.The following are some movie | | | | coupons, homemade card, handwritten |
| suggestions:Sleepless in Seattle | | | | letter, or cut out cartoons from newspaper and add |
| Message in a Bottle | | | | a few words to it. It's so much more sincere in your |
| Bridges of Madison County | | | | own words from your heart. It's all about the |
| City of Angels | | | | presentation. Don't just toss your handwritten |
| Bridget Jones's Diary | | | | sentiment at your love.Delightful PamperingCupid's |
| Somehere in Time | | | | arrow is sure to hit when you give your love a day |
| As Good As IT Gets | | | | of |
| Jerry Maquire | | | | overindulgence. Being carefree is so |
| Something's Gotta Give | | | | appealing.Traditional: Spending a ton of cash on a spa |
| AmelieTraditional: Big night out at the theater with | | | | day gift certificate for your sweetie.Creatively Frugal: |
| the works. Cha-chingCreatively Frugal: Select a nice | | | | Make a comfort box. In the box add a cd, scented |
| romantic comedy for your sweetie. Pop some | | | | lotions, bubblebath, hairbrush, candles, tea, cocoa, |
| popcorn, pour your favorite beverage of choice, and | | | | coffee, book, bookmark, and give a massage from |
| light a fire if you're able to or at least some candles. | | | | you.As you can see, creating loving and memorable |
| It's all about ambience. You both can cuddle up on | | | | moments doesn't have to carry exorbitant prices. It's |
| the couch or have blankets and pillows out on the | | | | a day of expressing your affection and doesn't have |
| floor.Confectionary TreatsHard to imagine Valentine's | | | | to break the bank. Traditional romance can be nice, |
| Day without candy. The holiday is | | | | but it is often overrated. Being creatively frugal is a |
| notorious for chocolates. They're definitely decadent | | | | gift of the heart. Give your loved one the gift of |
| and these treats have been acclaimed to have an | | | | your time and thoughtfulness.If you're desperate and |
| aphrodisiac effect. It's difficult to pass up this | | | | reading this, I'll leave you with a small list of last |
| romantic suggestion.Traditional: Godiva chocolates or | | | | minute ideas:Dance to a slow song.Take a walk and |
| satin and velvet heart shaped box of chocolates. | | | | hold hands.Take a drive and tell your love your |
| Oohlala.Creatively Frugal: Bulk candy or homemade | | | | feelings from your heart. |
| candy, baked goods, or just coffee and a dessert at | | | | Go to a local playground and play on the |
| a quiet cafe.Here are two great chocolate creations | | | | swings.Read to your sweetie or recite a romantic |
| to make yourself.Chocolate Pretzels | | | | song.Add red to the day with red cookies, clothing, |
| Popcorn | | | | candles, lipstick, red fruit, etc.Sit and talk and |
| BouquetsSaying "I love you" with flowers can make | | | | reminsice and talk about your dreams together.Play a |
| a lasting impression.Traditional: A dozen roses with a | | | | board game or assemble a puzzle together.Watch |
| short lifespan and hefty price. You think you're smart | | | | the sunrise or sunset together.Find a trophy at the |
| when you select multi-colored or any color besides | | | | thrift store to give.Place notes in hidden places in the |
| red roses, but oops what about all those rose flower | | | | house for them to find. It's extra special when they |
| meanings? Are you accurately describing your | | | | dont find them all and come across them after the |
| feelings?Creatively Frugal: Try a single bulb to force | | | | holiday is over.Frame a picture of the two of you or |
| such as an amaryllis or tulip, a collection of seed | | | | a place you both have enjoyed together, or make a |
| packets for spring planting, or one single flower with | | | | collage of sentimental tokens collected during your |
| the recipient's favorite hot beverage in the | | | | relationship.Balloons are a nice gift. Keep in mind that |
| morning.Festive FeastA romantic night out can be | | | | you can tuck a note inside a latex balloon before |
| lovely. You can have reservations made in advance | | | | filling it or attach an item to a balloon.Happy |
| and can get gussied up for an enjoyable evening. | | | | Valentine's Day and here's wishing that love fills the |
| Planning the perfect setting complete with candles, | | | | air as you celebrate with your dearest.Sara Noel is a |
| wine, and excellent service is so romantic.Traditional: | | | | freelance writer and the Editor/Publisher of |
| Expensive restaurant out on the town. The problem | | | | and Visit both these sites for information on getting |
| is that everyone else has the same idea. You'll often | | | | back to basics through frugality, gardening, lost arts, |
| run into staff that is rushed or crowded parking lots | | | | simplicity, homesteading, and natural family living. |
| and restaurants. This suggestion has the best of | | | | |