How to Plan an Inexpensive, DIY Romantic Dinner

Can't afford to take your special lady out for an expensive dinner? You can create your own romantic, inexpensive picnic supper. Impress her with intimate food, wine, flowers and dinner that cost you very little. All you need is creativity to spark some passion.

First, set a time and tell your beloved to dress up. Next choose a pretty spot indoors or outdoors (weather permitting): a park, a beach, a wooded area. Have a back-up plan in case it rains.

If you choose an indoor area, create a diy romantic dining area. A simple table and two chairs is sufficient, because you're going to dress it up. Assemble elegant pieces of fabric or nice tablecloths. Lace, satin, or lame work nicely. Drape them over table and chairs.

String solid holiday lights in red, pink, purple, white, gold, blue (mix and match). Hang them around the table from the ceiling. They are lightweight and can easily taped up and removed.

Place a mirror in the center of the table. Scatter some sequins, ribbon, faux gems, metallic confetti in the center for effect. Purchase an inexpensive plant for the centerpiece that she can take home as a memento.

Inexpensive romantic plants include ivy (represents fidelity and devotion), African violets (represents tenderness), jade (represents strength and courage), baby rose bush (represents romantic love) or a chrysanthemum (which represents beauty and grace).

Pick an inexpensive candle and holder arrangement also (another romantic memento). Choose a tall pillar candle or multiple votive candle arrangement. You can find nice candle sets under $5 at Family Dollar and Walmart. Pick a romantic fragrance like gardenia, freesia or lavender.

Set up a CD player. Burn her a CD of your favorite songs. Some traditional Valentine's favorites include 'Unforgettable' by Nat King Cole and 'Somewhere my love' any version. Big band and jazz is romantic: Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Hayley Westenra, Enya, Celtic Woman. Air Supply is an 80's group with some really pretty stuff.

Classical instrumental is always good: Chopin, Strauss waltzes, Ravel, Baroque, Bach. If you can handle opera burn arias from Puccini ('La Boheme'), Verdi ('Rigoletto'), Bizet ('Carmen') and 'La Traviata' by Vivaldi. Give her the CD to remember your special night.

With the table set and music playing, serve an easy, romantic dinner:

Hors D'oeuvres: Traditionally oysters and sauteed mushrooms were served to make people fall in love. Other choices include: stuffed mushrooms, cheeses, smoked salmon, artichokes, caviar, pate de foie gras. These are expensive, so find out what she likes. Don't spend the money if neither of you like it. Veggies or cheese and crackers work great.

Serve wine (Chardonnay, Shiraz); Crane Lake is $3-$4 a bottle. Chill in an ice bucket. If you are underage or want non-alcoholic, make sparkling grape juice with seltzer water or ginger ale and juice.

For dinner, an Italian dish will touch a woman's heart. Lettuce salad, a loaf of Italian bread, and Alfredo. Make your own or buy Buitoni or Bertolli, for under $10. For dessert, serve sorbet, cheesecake, or tiramisu. Purchase frozen and thaw.

Serve dinner on nice plastic (for a picnic) or borrow some nice dishes and flatware from Grandma if you haven't got anything.

Be sure to take pictures. Frame them in matching frames. Have get a basket ready for her to take home. Put the pictures, CD, candle and flowers. Tell her that the candle represents your love and when she burns it she should remember that your love is like an eternal flame. Tell that when she smells the perfume of the candle and flowers, she can think of how lovely she it to you. Tell her what the plant represents, too. Trust me, she'll be putty in your hands seeing how romantic you are.