Cheap and Romantic Valentine's Day Ideas

1. Steak on a Budget:

• If he's a red meat man, you need steak, but if that's not in your budget, try chuck rib eye, which is just a tad less tender but a lot easier on the wallet.
• For more on choosing, trimming and grilling steaks, check out about.com.
  

2. Don't Spend a Fortune on Wine:

• Search for the nearest Trader Joe's Wine Shop and stock up on the infamous “Two Buck Chuck."
• This Charles Shaw wine, available in Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz, goes down smooth and costs less than $3 a bottle.
  
• If you don't have a Trader Joe’s in your area, browse your local liquor store and remember that the price of wine is most affected by how long its been aged and how far it's been transported. 
• Look for newer bottles from Central America for a bargain.

3. Speak the Language of Love:

Even if you are no Shakespeare, you can still sign a sonnet for your someone by using this Love Letter Generator.


4. Give the Gift of IOU:

Personalize and print your own Love Coupons, a free gift that keeps on giving.


5. Personalized Valentine’s Day Cards:

Instead of paying $7 for a card, go to HP.com and personalize and print your own card.


6. Set the Mood:

• Light candles in every room. It’s an inexpensive way to create a romantic ambiance.

• Listen to romantic tunes: Try VH1 online radio where you can listen to Slow Jams, Romantic Era, Frank’s World, or CMT’s Greatest Country Love Songs.

7. Heat Things Up With a Flaming Dessert:

• Heat up some flavored brandy or liquor in the microwave for about 35 seconds on high. Pour it over your dessert and set fire to it using a long matchstick or barbeque grill lighter.

• Some great combinations are: chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream, fresh raspberries and Kahlua; or try chocolate cake, bananas and Amaretto.
  

• If you have no liquor on hand, soak sugar cubes in a flavored extract (vanilla, almond or lemon); place them around your dessert and light. Enjoy the show and when the flames subside, enjoy the sweets.  
  

 

1. Sit Close to Each Other:

A romantic dinner isn’t so romantic if the two of you are miles apart at a dining table made for six or eight.

Instead, try setting the breakfast nook or a TV table in the living room. The closer together you are the better, and changing the atmosphere in your own home will make you feel as if you’re in a hip new restaurant.

2. Re-Use Linens From Other Holidays:

Using what you already have is the best way to save money. You don’t have to decorate everything in pink just because its Valentine’s Day. Use your red table cloth and linens from Christmas, or use other royal colors like deep purple or gold.

3. Create Depth With What You Already Have:

• Layer a lace table cloth or curtain over a solid colored table linen. Or use a pretty scarf as a runner across the center of the table. No matter what color scheme you choose, as long as you have candles and flowers, your table-scape will be romantic.

• Don’t match: Mix and match silverware, china and crystal for a romantic vintage look.

4. It’s not Valentine’s Day Without Flowers!

Be sure to have some type of flowers on the table--even a single flower in a delicate vase makes a big impression. Or get a deal on day-old blooms and sprinkle petals on the table.

5. Creative Candles:

Put tea lights in dainty tea cups or float them in a water-filled wine glass. You can even color the water to match your decor.

Learn how to fold a napkin into a Swan.