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