Valentine's Day for the Cheap (ahem, Frugal), Unimaginative and Procrastinator Among Us

For most people who are involved in a romantic relationship, Valentine's Day elicits one of two emotions: duty or anticipation. There is perhaps no other holiday for which we assign so much anticipation, and conversely,  garners so much potential for disappointment. If you are the person for whom chocolate panties or a dozen red roses  have traditionally been a mainstay "go to" gift for the big day, it goes without saying that your significant other may be ready for a change up. And if finances are of particular concern this year, don't let the greeting card companies or floral shops to convince you that they have all the answers. Here are a few ideas that cost next to nothing, but can say  "I Love/Appreciate/Acknowledge You" in a big way.

1) Say it with a sign. You don't have to be a poet to write a short, 4 line love poem and hang ithem out for the world to see. And cheesiness can be excused on Valentine's Day. Here's one to get you started:

Roses are red, Violets are blue, There's no one I'd rather be with, Than YOU!!!!

Buy five large pieces of fluorescent poster board, and on each, write one line of your poem in large, black marker. On the fifth, write HAPPY VALENTINES DAY, ______(your Partner's name here). On the evening of the 13th, follow his/her standard route to work/school/coffee, and hang up the posters, Burma Shave style and in verse order, along the route. A stapler works well for telephone poles. You may have to use duct tape for metal. Be sure to hang the signs where they will be visible,secure them well(think wind) and DON'T hang them on private property (fences, houses, cars, etc) or covering road signs. Be sure to give your beloved a heads up that she should "keep your eyes wide open and pay attention" on her way to work or school.  And please, be a responsible Valentiner and remove the signs as quickly as possible post V-Day. Also, don't put yourself  in danger hanging those things up!!!

2) Love In The Digital Age Nothing says lovin' like a personalized YouTube vid. You can record yourself singing, playing the guitar, or reading a romantic love poem (Emily Dickinson, Shakespeare) and send lovey the link in an email with a short, personalized message. A recorded message is a great way to say what you may be a little shy to say face-to-face, but PUH-LEASE......no marriage proposals, nudity, or profanity. Ick.

If you are really feeling ambitious, use WordPress or Blogger to create a special V-day blog of your relationship. Upload pictures and document something memorable about your relationship: first meeting, special dates, etc.

3) Scavenge It You are the treasure in the treasure hunt of love. Send lovey an email, v-mail, or personalized handwritten note with the first clue (ie, "Go to the place where we had our first date and sit on the bench where we fed the ducks. Underneath the bench will be your next clue".) Hide the clues well so that they can't be inadvertently destroyed or blown away.

If you are using live people in your scheme (ie, the guy at the counter in your favorite coffee shop), make sure he will be working when your target shows up looking for his clue. And use only 3 to 4 destinations....who wants to be hunting all over town when they can be snuggling with you? The destination in the hunt can be your home where a tasty dinner or appetizers are waiting for lovey, a coffee shop where you have a nice hot chocolate and sweet in store, or a romantic candlelit picnic in the park.

4) Baby, You Can Drive My Car It may not sound romatic, but cleaning your mate's car inside and out is a turn on for them. Trust me and the loads of women's fashion glam magazines that say so (ie, 25 Secrets of Great Sex!!). Be sure to do a thorough job, don't forget the fragrance (perhaps yours if you wear it, as long as its not overdone) and add a romantic note and picture of you hanging from the rear view mirror. Ladies, especially, trust me on this one if you are flat out of ideas.

5) Get Personal with a twist You know your honey better than anyone, and a personalized date doing what he/she loves best is probably the most romantic gift you could give. Golfing, fishing, or shopping can all be romantic outings if you personalize them. For example, If golfing, prepare a little memory or something that you love about your squeeze, and read it to him/her out loud at each hole. Bring along a split of champagne, good beer, or non-alcoholic cider, and present him with a golf magazine. You might feel a little self-conscious, but who cares?

Guys, if your gal likes to shop, scout the place out ahead of time. When the big day arrives, escort her to the book store and read her a little passage from some book that strikes you as romantic. Then squire her to several clothing stores where you have picked out an item from each that you think she would look really fantastic/sexy in. You don't have to buy a thing, but showing her that you are dressing her in your imagination will mean a lot to the woman who loves to shop for the perfect outfit. Afterwards, you can present her with a small trinket that lets her know you are thinking of her. A coffee card for her next outing would fit the bill.

6) Make a scene Remember the scene in Out of Africa where Robert Redford washes Meryl Streep's hair when they are camping? No? You should. It is without question one of the sexiest non-sex moments on screen. Do you have a memorable romantic movie moment? Rent the movie, watch it, then recreate it with your mate. It is fun, imaginative, and shows that you have forethought.

Whatever you decide to do for your big day, remember that where Valentine's Day is concerned, a little thought and planning go a long way towards a successful "gift". Think small, but symbolic. I once received a heart shaped Pez dispenser for Valentine's Day, and because it was sweet, quirky, and unique, it is still one of my favorite "love offerings".