| Valentine treats from the heart,
not the wallet |
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If you don't think you have a way with words, you
have an endless number of loving lines at your disposal. Buy a blank
greeting card, and personalize it with a romantic quotation or a
famous poem that reflects the way that you feel about your valentine.
Web sites such as Links
2 Love, Romantic
Tokens and The
Love Quotes Encyclopedia are full of sonnets, verses and quotations
which, when written down and cited in your own handwriting, will
make it clear that you are a romantic.
Another simple, inexpensive and sentimental gift is
a framed picture of the two of you together. Digital photo fans
know how easy and inexpensive it is to enlarge and print a good
quality photo. If you don't have a digital camera and quality printer,
plenty of photo processing centers will make a 5-by-7 or 8-by-10
print the old-fashioned way for a reasonable cost.
Make a grand gesture
True romantics know that few things are more endearing than a willingness
to risk embarrassment or do something that seems completely out
of character. If you are crazy about the person you are with, why
not declare it publicly? Your valentine and any other witnesses
will have a great story to relate for years to come.
If you are usually reserved about expressing your
feelings, something as simple as delivering a single rose and a
handful of sweet words to your valentine in front of a group of
people you both know can be more valuable than enjoying a five-course
meal together. Even the memory of a hearty and good-natured laugh
together is likely to last longer then a bottle of cologne.
For the most daring fools for love, consider dragging
your main squeeze to a karaoke bar and singing a love song to him
or her. If you can't sing without attracting crows to your window,
that may be an even better reason to try. Ham it up. Humor is an
underrated force in the realm of romance, especially when you consider
how many people in long-term relationships claim that laughter keeps
them together.
Another way to make a grand gesture is to simply spend
Valentine's Day doing something you don't particularly like, but
that you know your valentine does. If he or she is an art fan and
you are not, spend the afternoon at a gallery or museum. If he or
she is a sports fan and you aren't, visit a sports bar at happy
hour and watch college basketball on ESPN together. Go to a movie
that your loved one would want to see, even if you would never choose
to do so yourself. If you go this route, make a promise to yourself
that you will stay cheerful about it and stick with it. It's only
one day, after all.
Pamper and fuss
In the '80s several companies came out with gimmicky "love
coupons" that people signed and slipped inside of greeting
cards. They were redeemable for things such as back rubs, breakfast
in bed and household chores. They really weren't a bad concept,
but there's no need to buy manufactured coupons when you can figure
out what your valentine would like best on your own. The more specific
the task, the more personal the gift, whether it's the promise of
a lavish home-cooked meal or that you'll finally clean out the garage
like you've been promising for months. Whatever you commit yourself
to doing, just make sure you are ready to deliver with as much enthusiasm
as you can muster.
Treating your valentine to pampering at a spa
is always appreciated. Some treatments such as a massage or spa
facials tend to be on the pricey side. Simpler extravagances such
as a manicure, pedicure or a clean shave are often more reasonable,
and still a special treat. You can, of course, give the gift of
a foot, back or neck massage yourself, which is a terrific way to
end a romantic evening.
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