Romantic on a Budget

Many of the most meaningful gifts that you can give to the one you love cost very little or nothing at all. I heard one of my favorite radio personalities recently indicate that he found his child's Etch-A-Sketch on the table on his way to work and took the time to write, "I love you" to his wife. He indicated that he received a significant response, causing me to think about all of those acts of kindness that cost little or nothing.

For women - What about going through your husband's shoes and shining them all? This is an action that most of us appreciate but always manage to postpone. While you're at it, see if any of the shoelaces need replacing. You can do this with very little expense. There are all sorts of opportunities to bake or cook a favorite meal. You might want to think about baking a dozen cupcakes and decorate them, with hearts and the letters, "I love you."

If he's a golfer, wait until you have an hour or so and clean all his clubs and golf shoes. A gentle cleanser such as soapy warm water is great and would be enthusiastically received. Wash the golf towel too. It's likely to have been there since last spring.

Give him a gift certificate from you for a back rub or foot massage. Check out your local television guide and identify the next sporting event for his favorite team. Make it a catered event (by you), complete with no-one around to distract, munchies and the right beverage. Invite a friend.

For men - If your wife or significant other takes her lunch, put a secret "I love you" note in it. Bring her coffee to her in the morning with a rose attached to the cup with a ribbon.
If you have kids, arrange to take them to a park or zoo on a Saturday and give the gift of a day to herself, complete with a gift certificate for manicure or pedicure.

Snoop a little bit and identify her favorite lipstick or nail polish. With a little help, you can probably replace an old one of each at little cost. Wrap in a gift bag or box and stick it in her purse.

Vacuum the entire house. Get out the mop and bucket and clean the kitchen floor. Wash her car and check the windshield wiper fluid. Change the cat's litter box or groom the dog. Visit a discount store and buy ten or fifteen inexpensive greeting cards. Wrap with a bow and stick them in her desk, saving her a trip when she needs a get well or birthday card.

As spring approaches, check the sales at your outlet hardware/gardening stores. Buy a selection of seed packets for her favorite plants and wrap them with a new hand shovel. Give her a gift certificate worth turning over the soil in her garden on the first sunny weekend in spring. Add a coupon worth three Saturdays of weeding (by you).

You can see how easy all of this becomes. Think about communicating your love, saving him or her from a dreaded task or do something that he or she normally has to ask you to do. Diamonds and power tools are always appreciated and cherished gifts, complete with the corresponding expenses. But it's the gift of consideration and thoughtfulness that will be treasured the longest.