Romancing Your Valentine: How To Spend a Romantic Valentines Day Without Overspending

• Finding it hard to think of a romantic, thoughtful but low-cost gift? Photographs are a fantastic and personal present. By collecting together photographs of special times and displaying them in an album you are handing over a collection of happy memories of special times. If your images are printed then buy a nice album and add comments to the pictures about where you were and who your were with. If you have digital images, why not use an online service to create a photobook of your pictures? You can find some great services costing from about £5 if you do an internet search.
• They say the way to a mans heart is through is stomach. I am not a man but the way to my heart is definitely through food (hence the enormous crush on Michel Roux Jr!) and for me a great way to show someone how much you care is to prepare a meal that is full to the brim with love and includes some of their favourite ingredients or dishes. If you want some inspiration for new recipes, try looking at BBC Good Food? They have a large selection of recipes for all occasions written by an array of chefs.
• If you don't have time to create an album full of photo's or prepare a meal, why not do one thing on Valentines day that is unexpected or out of the ordinary? You could do a whole host of things such as: send flowers to your beloveds place of work, meet them unexpectedly on their journey home to accompany them on their journey (armed with sweets, chocolates or some yummy hot chocolate), bring a bottle of bubbly home with you or get home early to draw a bath for their arrival home, placing candles around it along with their favourite tipple freshly poured by its side.
• If you are planning dinner at home don't serve it in your jogging bottoms make an effort to look nice for your partner. You don't have to wear a ball gown or a dinner suit (though it would be nice to do that if you want to) but put on a clean shirt or a slick of lipstick at the very least.
• Don't neglect your table! Dress your dinner table up for Valentines day. There is no excuse not to as you can do it cheaply and achieve fantastic results. Simply buy a white cotton tablecloth and adorn it with rose petals (two roses will do), rose scented candles and a decorative dish to hold rose scented pot pouri. If you have silverware then use it and dress your table with napkins tied with a red ribbon (or tissue napkins in pink or red). 
• Why not write a romantic love poem for your beloved? This is a very personal way to express your feelings and you can write something humorous or serious and sensitive to express your feelings. Write something and include in your Valentines Day e card or have it printed on nice paper and leave it somewhere for them to find on the special day.
• If you have children, why not get them to help you make cards, decorations or gift boxes as well as help prepare dinner or buy gifts? This is a great way for your children to learn about Valentines day as well as gain an understanding of romance between parents. Find some great ideas for kids crafts here.