The Frugal Valentine

by Julie Coulter Bellon

Valentine’s Day is set aside as a time to tell your special someone how much you love them. Traditionally, rich chocolates and expensive jewelry have been the gifts of choice, but in this economic downturn, I wanted to suggest some gifts or ideas for your valentine that were frugal, but still full of heart.

Plan a romantic movie date at home. Rent a movie, make the popcorn, and cuddle under the blankets. Or, if your budget is a little larger, you could buy the romantic DVD with a bag of popcorn, and maybe a bottle of sparkling cider, and put it in an inexpensive basket to give to your valentine. Either way, the mood will be set for romance. Here are some of my favorite romantic movies that might give you some ideas as well. I generally like romantic comedies more than straight romance, but choose what your valentine would like.

Pride and Prejudice

Ever After

Princess Bride

Sleepless in Seattle

Beauty and the Beast

Somewhere in Time

Sabrina

While You Were Sleeping

Sound of Music

Romancing the Stone

A Walk to Remember

Other romantic movies that my friends have recommended to me that I have never seen:

Casablanca

An Affair to Remember

House of Flying Daggers

Gone With the Wind

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Doctor Zhivago

To Catch a Thief

Write your valentine a sappy romantic poem, even if you stink at poetry. As Plato once said, “At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet.” Think of all the traits you love about your valentine, or the moment you first knew you were in love, and go from there. If all else fails, go for a few verses of Roses are red, Violets are blue . . . Or, if you are really uncomfortable with writing a poem, find a romantic poem you can read to your valentine that best expresses what you want to say.

Fill a small basket with lotion, massage oils, bubble bath and candles. Offer to give your valentine a massage.

Make a list of the ten most romantic moments you’ve had with your valentine. Or, make a list of what you love best about your valentine. Wrap the paper in ribbon and give it to them.

Make your valentine a CD of all their favorite songs or songs that are special to you as a couple. Perhaps have a private dance at home by candlelight, or reminisce about the meaning of the songs while they’re playing.

Drive to a spot above your city, pull out some blankets and a thermos of hot chocolate and watch the sunset together. This is a perfect time to reminisce about your courtship and what you appreciate most about each other. One of my favorite quotes is from E. Joseph Cossman when he said, Love is a friendship set to music.>Nourish that friendship and love.

Prepare your valentine’s favorite meal. Use your best china and eat together by candlelight.

After you’ve eaten your meal, give the dishwasher a break and wash the dishes together by hand. You'll be surprised at what can happen!

Give your valentine your favorite picture of the two of you together in a frame. Write the date and a romantic quote on the back. Here are a few ideas for quotes:

“If you have love, you don’t need anything else, and if you don’t have it, it doesn’t matter much what else you have.”

–Sir James M. Barrie

“Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”

–Franklin P. Jones

“Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination.”

–Voltaire

“Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence.”

–Henry Louis Mencken

“Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.”

–Robert Frost

If you don’t have a valentine this year, consider sharing your love by volunteering at a homeless shelter or food bank or making a valentine for a member of our military who are away from home and loved onesExtra hands and hearts are always appreciated. Also, if you are interested, Operation Care and Comfort (an organization that sends care packages to our military men and women overseas) is doing a Comic Book Drive for our troops. They are asking people to donate comic books, new or used, funny or not, to be shipped to our troops in care packages on an ongoing basis. Comic books are easy to read because they are short stories and they cost very little to add to the shipments weight-wise. You are free to include a note with your donation - paper clip it to the cover or insert it inside. If you do this, comic books are considered "media" and may be shipped using the media rate at the post office. This will save you money! You can mail comics to:

Operation: Care and Comfort
2392 Walden Sq
San Jose, CA 95124span style="font-size:100%;">>

Whatever you do, be it extravagant or frugal, have a happy Valentine's Day!