Cheap Romantic Gift Ideas

I am not a romantic guy in a contemporary, "cute" dating sense. Still, I seem to have a knack for coming up with creative and cheap gift ideas for just about anything.

So when my friend Sarah emailed to ask if I could think of inexpensive ways for her to show her boyfriend affection on their three-month anniversary (who celebrates that?), I sighed, veiled my pessimism thinly, and came up with a list of cheap romantic gift ideas.

By the way, here's the email I got (shared with Sarah's permission of course):

"Brian! I have a mission for you. Even though you're jaded about these matters, I know you won't fail me. You never have. Kitt and I are about to celebrate our three month anniversary in eleven days and even as I am a poor social worker I want to do some special things leading up to our big day. I know you are smirking your usual crooked dismissive smirk right now but I also know you'll come up with a list of ideas a half a mile long in no time. Get to it, friend. Love, Sarah"

[Yes, his name is really Kitt, and I've already made the Knight Rider jokes.]

Since I apparently follow orders better than I like to admit, here are six cheap romantic gift ideas for celebrating, well, whatever you want to celebrate with your special someone. Three month anniversaries? A month of not fighting? A successful meeting between each others' parents? You took a roadtrip without killing each other? You know, those relationship high points.

Cheap Romantic Gift Ideas #1: Coupon for a Night of Freaky Sex. If your partner always wants to "try something new" and you always shy away from it, maybe it's time to let their fantasy become reality. Whatever it involves - blindfolds, French maid outfits, ice cubes, UPS uniforms, stethoscopes, Fruit Rollups, janitorial closets, etc. - let your special someone have their nookie wish fulfilled. As long the fetish or fantasy is legal and safe, give 'em a "coupon" for it and brace yourself.

Cheap Romantic Gift Ideas #2: Midnight Picnic. Instead of a daytime jaunt to the park, make it an evening picnic under the moon, stars, and whatever planets might be visible with the naked eye (you can watch that "Keep Looking Up" guy from public television to find out). To stay cheap, bring late-night eats instead of wine and brie. Maybe stop at Taco Bell for that "Fourth Meal" they're talking about?

Cheap Romantic Gift Ideas #3: Make a Painting Together. For just a few dollars, you can buy a cheap canvas and some fingerpaints. Or some paper and watercolours, for those of you who aren't as bold. The exercise of creating a painting together will either be cuddly and cute (after which you can have sex) or infuriating and annoying (after which you can have a fight and then some hot make-up sex). Whatever happens, you'll have a tangible, collaborative product and a memory of the day.

Cheap Romantic Gift Ideas #4: Have a Bed-In. John and Yoko did this, but your reasons won't be political. Pick a day and stay in bed all day together watching movies, eating snacks, cuddling, and spending that "quality time" without interruptions. If you have roommates, ask them to leave the house. Shut your cell phones off. Power your computers down. Don't answer the door. Without the normal patterns of life to distract you from each other, you may find that you love (or hate) each other even more than before.

Cheap Romantic Gift Ideas #5: Surprise Bag Lunch. If a noon table at the newest foofy bistro is too expensive, pack a lunch and deliver it to your significant other at their place of work. For added effect, include pudding, raisins, a juice box, and a lovey-dovey card. Especially if you don't normally visit your sig-o at work, this is a chance to surprise and embarrass him/her in front of coworkers.

Cheap Romantic Gift Ideas #6: Goldfish! They're cheap, and you get to name them. For just a few bucks, buy a fishbowl, two live goldfish, and some food - presenting it as a metaphor for the "you and me against the world" mindset that you embrace as a couple. Then, you can see what lasts longer - the goldfish or your relationship.

As much as I joke about these ideas, they really are some fun, inexpensive ways above to show that you care - even when you can't buy fancy tokens of affection on your slim salary.