I like to take my girlfriend out somewhere romantic but free, such as a walk in the park or beach, or wine in front of a roaring fire. The great outdoors is free, and wine/chocolate picnic pack is easy to bring with you and much cheaper than a restaurant meal.
Keep it simple. It doesn't have to be elaborate to be romantic, just sincere. Some of the most romantic evenings I have ever spent were just taking a walk together hand-in-hand under the moonlight or staying in with chinese take-out and a great romantic movie. Sometimes, it is just the gift of each other that means the most. I would rather have my husband's time and attention than the biggest diamond in the world.
All what you said would come true BUT if we buy/spend less, then Corporations will have to produce less which means that they will not need the same workforce that they have today, which means that they will layoff people in the thousands (already happening). These laid off people + the ones in fear of being laid off will buy even less AND corporations will produce less and therefore need a lesser workforce and so will layoff even more.....You get the picture.
While living within one's means is a good principle, we shouldn't go to the other extreme and become misers either. Like everything good in life and in this World, there needs to be a balance. The last 10+ years have no doubt seen too much irresponsible spending by Americans (and a lot of other countries as well) and hence this "Correction (with a Capital C) BUT let's not try and "Fix" the problem by becoming misers. We'll only be shooting ourselves in the foot by doing that.
Take the time to cook your special someone a nice dinner. It will cost a lot less then going out and the fact that you put your heart into it and took the time to cook will mean much more.
My husband knows me as a frugal gal who loves her coupons so he made me a personal coupon book for Valentine's Day last year. He typed it up on the computer and it had coupons for..."A free back massage" and "You win the argument"..(I love this one) Another one was "A night off cooking" They were really funny and fun. He included a romantic candle and a book in the package. He is pretty amazing!
Valentine's day is such an overtly commercial thing nowadays, but a little thought makes it so much more. I use Hand written notes that express more than a store bought card ever could.
Valentine's day is such an overtly commercial thing nowadays, but a little thought makes it so much more. I use Hand written notes that express more than a store bought card ever could.
everybody gets all twisted up over valentines day. kay jewelers has done a fantastic job of raising the expectation from chocolates to diamonds over the years. but for us, what keeps the magic alive is using valentines day to remember why we love the PEOPLE in our lives, not the things. a nice dinner, and then we play the 'why do i love you' game. we remember things that made us start dating, and then, the defining moment that made us decide to say 'i love you' for the first time, and so forth, up to the birth of our kids, and then we tell them why we love them, and stuff. all told, it runs about an hour and a half, and at the end of the night, everyone feels super good about themselves, and the relationships in the house are stronger for it.
I love getting fresh cut flowers from our garden. I see them everyday in our yard, but when they are brought in special for Valentine's Day - it makes me smile.
As our kids have gotten older, they still like to do something for Valentines. We decided to do something different one year and decorated the door of a widow in our neighborhood with red, pink and white hearts of various shapes. We put words on them similiar to the little heart shaped candies. We went over late night on the 13th and taped the Valentines to the door. The kids enjoyed seeing the Valentines hang on her door for the rest of the month. They talked about it all year, about the first of February the next year, they wanted to do more than just the neighbor, we did 3 doors that year. The tradition has continued, we have a fun dinner at home with the kids then get out the colored paper and get to work, making our hearts. This year the kids have 8 different widow's and widowor's in mind. I am glad that I have instilled in my children the importance of helping others.
Start a journal the year before (365 days before) for him or her, adding one entry every day. Make it about him/her in some way, whether that be a poem, a small thought, a quote you read, something he/she did, your feelings aboyt him her (good or bad). Although these may seem time intensive, it's really not. All you do is spend a few moments each day, writing a few sentences (or more if you feel like it). I find it to be a heartfelt and sweet way to show someone how much you really love and care for them every single day!
Our whole family prepares the celebratory meal together. We write each other notes of appreciation and do things to help and show our care. We also try to go for a walk or hike together. We live in a warm climate, so this is a nice treat. This has evolved as we have three young children, and we are trying to avoid the consumption/consumer trap of most holidays. We try to show that time spent together is better than stuff
Find a new recipe or recipes that you've never tried and that you both decide on then go shopping for ingredients that you don't have and make a day or evening of cooking and eating together.
Thanks!
I like to take my girlfriend out somewhere romantic but free, such as a walk in the park or beach, or wine in front of a roaring fire. The great outdoors is free, and wine/chocolate picnic pack is easy to bring with you and much cheaper than a restaurant meal.
Keep it simple. It doesn't have to be elaborate to be romantic, just sincere. Some of the most romantic evenings I have ever spent were just taking a walk together hand-in-hand under the moonlight or staying in with chinese take-out and a great romantic movie. Sometimes, it is just the gift of each other that means the most. I would rather have my husband's time and attention than the biggest diamond in the world.
Write a note to your spouse telling them the top 10 reasons you love them. In this fast-paced world we can easily take these qualities for granted.
All what you said would come true BUT if we buy/spend less, then Corporations will have to produce less which means that they will not need the same workforce that they have today, which means that they will layoff people in the thousands (already happening). These laid off people + the ones in fear of being laid off will buy even less AND corporations will produce less and therefore need a lesser workforce and so will layoff even more.....You get the picture.
While living within one's means is a good principle, we shouldn't go to the other extreme and become misers either. Like everything good in life and in this World, there needs to be a balance. The last 10+ years have no doubt seen too much irresponsible spending by Americans (and a lot of other countries as well) and hence this "Correction (with a Capital C) BUT let's not try and "Fix" the problem by becoming misers. We'll only be shooting ourselves in the foot by doing that.
Should go well!
great ideas, thanks!
Thank you , thank you
you can write a new one. There is no limitation.
We're always very frugal, and there's nothing like a home-cooked meal.
Take the time to cook your special someone a nice dinner. It will cost a lot less then going out and the fact that you put your heart into it and took the time to cook will mean much more.
My husband knows me as a frugal gal who loves her coupons so he made me a personal coupon book for Valentine's Day last year. He typed it up on the computer and it had coupons for..."A free back massage" and "You win the argument"..(I love this one) Another one was "A night off cooking" They were really funny and fun. He included a romantic candle and a book in the package. He is pretty amazing!
I can probably find this out at eHow.com, but I'm too lazy.
What happens if I have a how-to idea that's already been written about but I feel I have more to add?
We do dinner at home with a good bottle of wine.
Valentine's day is such an overtly commercial thing nowadays, but a little thought makes it so much more. I use Hand written notes that express more than a store bought card ever could.
Valentine's day is such an overtly commercial thing nowadays, but a little thought makes it so much more. I use Hand written notes that express more than a store bought card ever could.
everybody gets all twisted up over valentines day. kay jewelers has done a fantastic job of raising the expectation from chocolates to diamonds over the years. but for us, what keeps the magic alive is using valentines day to remember why we love the PEOPLE in our lives, not the things. a nice dinner, and then we play the 'why do i love you' game. we remember things that made us start dating, and then, the defining moment that made us decide to say 'i love you' for the first time, and so forth, up to the birth of our kids, and then we tell them why we love them, and stuff. all told, it runs about an hour and a half, and at the end of the night, everyone feels super good about themselves, and the relationships in the house are stronger for it.
I love getting fresh cut flowers from our garden. I see them everyday in our yard, but when they are brought in special for Valentine's Day - it makes me smile.
I love showing up to my honey's office and hand delivering flowers! Less expensive and lot more fun!
We avoid the crowds and unnecessary spending and go out for a hot chocolate treat on Valentine's Day.
I would love to win - thanks for having this giveaway.
As our kids have gotten older, they still like to do something for Valentines. We decided to do something different one year and decorated the door of a widow in our neighborhood with red, pink and white hearts of various shapes. We put words on them similiar to the little heart shaped candies. We went over late night on the 13th and taped the Valentines to the door. The kids enjoyed seeing the Valentines hang on her door for the rest of the month. They talked about it all year, about the first of February the next year, they wanted to do more than just the neighbor, we did 3 doors that year. The tradition has continued, we have a fun dinner at home with the kids then get out the colored paper and get to work, making our hearts. This year the kids have 8 different widow's and widowor's in mind. I am glad that I have instilled in my children the importance of helping others.
handmade cards with personal sentiments are my favorite way to save. SO much more personal and keepsake-worthy
You should also check out "Extreme How-To", a great "Do It Yourself" publication as well...www.ExtremeHowTo.com
-HandyGuy1
Start a journal the year before (365 days before) for him or her, adding one entry every day. Make it about him/her in some way, whether that be a poem, a small thought, a quote you read, something he/she did, your feelings aboyt him her (good or bad). Although these may seem time intensive, it's really not. All you do is spend a few moments each day, writing a few sentences (or more if you feel like it). I find it to be a heartfelt and sweet way to show someone how much you really love and care for them every single day!
Our whole family prepares the celebratory meal together. We write each other notes of appreciation and do things to help and show our care. We also try to go for a walk or hike together. We live in a warm climate, so this is a nice treat. This has evolved as we have three young children, and we are trying to avoid the consumption/consumer trap of most holidays. We try to show that time spent together is better than stuff
Find a new recipe or recipes that you've never tried and that you both decide on then go shopping for ingredients that you don't have and make a day or evening of cooking and eating together.
Thanks!