Holiday Nook

Valentine’s Day can be expensive. If you’re not able to spend a week’s salary on flowers, candy and a night out, why not create your own romantic Valentine’s Day gifts yourself?

On Valentine’s Day, it really is the thought that counts. You can make the day special for your partner by putting effort into the planning. The fact that you took the time to arrange everything ahead of time is what will make him or her love it.

Plan a Valentine’s Day picnic. Too cold outside in February where you live? Take it to a museum or other cultural spot that allows you to bring in picnic foods. Spread out at their tables and have a nice meal while enjoying the ambiance. Provide an array of foods that are romantic like chocolate-covered strawberries. But make them yourself so that it shows you care. You might also make fried chicken and chocolate cake for a retro picnic feel.

Collect a series of downloads from iTunes for a CD for your beloved. Pick all romantic songs and then burn a CD for her. Pick songs that are meaningful to you both and maybe some new favorites. Take her out for a drive and play the CD for her. Drive somewhere you’ve wanted to go but haven’t been to. Maybe there’s a scenic drive nearby or a tourist spot in town that you have never even gone to. The drive and the CD are key, not the destination.

Create a day for him or her. It can be anything you think your partner would really want to do but maybe never has the time to. Plan a day when you are both off from work. Laze around over pancakes and coffee and then go roller-skating, to an indoor rock climbing wall, or to a play or concert. Make it the whole day so it seems really planned out and special. You might even print up a program of the day’s events from your computer so it’s really special. Include friends in the day if you think it’s a good idea. Part of the day can be spent over lunch with them and then you can continue on your way alone together if you like. The element of surprise works wonders. Don’t tell your partner where you are going in advance. Just let him or her enjoy the day.

Handwritten notes are still a great way to say “I love you” in a heartfelt way. If you haven’t written your beloved a letter in a while, get some nice stationery and a pen and write a long letter telling him or her why you are in love with them. Deliver it in grand fashion on a silver tray along with a single rose or over breakfast at her favorite diner. Have the waitress bring it over to surprise her or slip it in her handbag when she’s not looking.

There are so many ways to be thoughtful on Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank. You can also plan to celebrate it on a different night than February 14th when prices are sky high. The roses and candy go on sale the next day, so why not plan the 15th every year as your special Valentine’s Day together?