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