Valentine's Day on the Cheap: Planning a Perfect Romantic Event Inexpensively

Whether you want the best Valentine's Day ever or just want to have a very special, romantic event with your beloved, you may find yourself hampered by a wallet already stretched thin by so many other demands on the dollars you have. Nor do you want to have your lovely evening ruined by worries about how you will pay for it.

Rather than give up on your plans - or heaven's forbid, scale them back to beer and a pizza in front of the television - why not get a little creative in ways you can come up with the budget as well as bring the costs of extra special back to reality? This neither has to be particularly tough or painful. In fact, the rewards can make any effort you make very worthwhile.

Try one of these ideas:

1. Have other friends/couples in the same boat? Why not pool resources? You may be able to get a bargain deal if you call around and see if a local restaurant or special venue can offer the lot of you a package deal. A few places in Manhattan and other cities, for example, can shave about half the cost of dinner for six or more people if you schedule and pay in advance and agree on the same basic menu; you may even get a private dining room thrown in for the price (and perhaps you can find a talented musician friend to come provide some live romantic tunes).

2. Check around local newspapers and community web sites to look for companies and services that might offer something truly unique. How about a hot air balloon ride for three or four couples? Or an old-fashioned winter coach or sleigh ride for two couples? Get a few more people together, and you might find the cost of a small evening boat cruise - with or without wine and dinner served - can become far more affordable.

3. If an expensive dinner and tickets for a Broadway or other great show out of your price range, what about planning it as a matinee and a splendid lunch? Both cost far less and give you basically the same enjoyment.

4. Can't afford what you want for Valentine's Day? Well, make Cupid's Day work for you by finding some service or delicacy you can perform for others - custom chocolates (kits make them very easy to make wonderful heart-shaped chocolates or custom "heart" messages on a candy heart) or other delectables you can sell to finance a nicer time at a later date for you and Mr. or Ms. Wonderful.

5. Again in a group, you can all kick in money to plan a sumptuous, candle-lit romantic night at the home of someone in the group - then use the money you save from restaurant dining to plan a menu of steak and shrimp, Beef Wellington, or a truly outstanding and exotic Asian dish. Split between four or eight or more people, you might even be able to hire a server and rent a lovely tablecloth and delightful dish- and servingware.