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    Yasmin Correa said

    Even though the usual flowers and chocolate have much to be respected, sometimes it can get rather boring and redundant. Though, we’d all love to have a few thousand dollars on hand every Valentine’s Day, that, in the real world, usually isn’t as easy as in the movies. So, for the frugal and modest portion of humanity, here are a list of ten cute, different and affordable craft, date and private ideas that you could offer your loved one on that once a year, special occasion, that many consider to be a love conspiracy. That day being "Valentine’d Day".

    From Men to Women

    Women aren’t as hard to understand as most would like to suggest. Honestly, most of us are just romantics at heart. And, though, we’ve grown into womanhood, we still have a bit of that little girl lingering inside of us somewhere. So, why not, turn the clock back just a bit and give your valentine a pretty cool retro gift.

    • A teddy bear, sprayed with your cologne and a home made Valentines day card.
    • A t-shirt that you’ve recently worn (please make sure it doesn’t smell like funky corn chips and sweat), wrapped up neatly in a hand made gift box.
    • Your picture together put into a pretty little frame that you can personalize yourself by just gluing on a few things here and there.
    • For the “Woodworkers & Carpenters” out there, why not carve both your names in wood and make a pretty little wall hanging… don’t forget to put the “I love you” or “together forever” quote somewhere on it. Oh, and most importantly, SPELL HER NAME CORRECTLY!
    • Cook for her. Simple and adorable… Hey and if you can’t cook, then buy it made and fix into a romantic candle light dinner just for the two of you. McDonald’s INCLUDED! Also, a pick-nick is always nice.
    • Write a note, something like “Will you be my girlfriend/wife? Check yes or no”. That is sure to bring back some lovely and sweet memories. Oh, and don’t forget to wrap that note around her favorite retro candy bar, like a “Whatchamacallit”.
    • Take her to the park, swing her on the a swing and sing her a little tune. Even if you can’t sing. The gesture matters most of all.
    • Write her a poem, “Rose are red, violets are blue, candy is sweet and so are you”.. just not so corny and not THAT retro. Along with the poem, brush her hair, or do her nails, or rub her feet. Anything goes great with a nice poem.
    • Stay home, have the in-laws babysit, rent a good movie, make your best batch of microwave popcorn and watch a movie with her. Just the two of you. Cuddling is MEGA important.
    • As little as it may seem, most people take the meaning, personalization and power out of saying those 3 little words… tell her how much you love her. Make it original. Make it personal. Make it YOU. Nothing is more important, then saying “I LOVE YOU”.

    From Women to Men

    Though, us females love to believe that men are a ungrateful and easily satisfied species, that is not always the case. Guys need love too! Just not all that MUSHY love. They want some manly love. Even though, we love to believe that a nice negligee and some kinky sexy stuff always works (and it does), the men in our life deserve more. Men love manly stuff! So here we go…

    • VERY, VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: DON’T NAG A MAN ON VALENTINES DAY. Trust me, this alone will seem like a gift all in itself. Wait, as the matter of fact, give them a nice compliment…. about ANYTHING. Just do it.

    • Make it a point of having some “You” time. Just you and him, not talking about the kids, the bills, the mortgage, the rent, the car, the in-laws, the job…. Nothing! Just you and him, having some nicely spent, quiet time, doing what ever it is you enjoy doing together the most. Then surprise him with a massage. Men, love that stuff!

    • Play a game of his favorite sport with him. And if you can’t play it, watch it with him. As the matter of fact, go all out. Put on the jersey, put the crazy face paint on, get out the big pointy finger, get the cap and don’t forget to make the chicken wings!

    • If you don’t already know it, find out your man’s hobby. You know, the thing he likes to do the most (sex not included), and try to do it yourself. The odds are that he will be very impressed and appreciative of your attempt and treasure the moment forever. So, if he like making toy car models, make one for him. No one ever said it had to be perfect, it just has to be your best effort.

    • COOK, COOK, COOK…. There is not better way to a man’s heart then through his stomach. Make him a meal he’ll never forget. Try to get a recipe from his mom or grandmother, and go all out. If mom and grandmother are no longer in the picture, then thank your lucky stars for “Paula Dean”!

    • If he’s a mechanic, don’t be afraid to get down and dirty with him. You will impress him to high heaven, if you make it a date under the hood of a car.

    • Sing to him. Lip sink if necessary. Hey why not go all out and do a little strip teas while your at it. I don’t know of any man that will not go crazy over that small gesture.

    • If you’re in it for life, and you’re artistic at the core, and have a fanaticism for self expression… then go get matching tattoos or piercings.

    • Play a High-steaks game of Strip Poker (or any other card game he enjoys). Make sure HE wins… Board games will do!

    • Just as I said to the women. It’s incredible how much people belittle the meaning, the personalization and power of those 3 little words… So tell him how much you love him. Make it original. Make it personal. Make it YOU. Nothing is more important, then saying “I LOVE YOU”.

    Friends, please understand “romance” and “love” is not about how much you can give, but about how you give it. “Valentine’s Day” specifically, is about telling someone how much you care; romantically, familiarly or otherwise. Take a moment, with not a lot of fanciness or money involved, and make it known, to them, to your friends, to the world around you, and most importantly to yourself, how much you LOVE that person.

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