How to Be Cheap on Valentines Day Without Getting Your Butt Kicked

January 27th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under • by erica

Although men have been known to complain that women are “difficult” and “hard to understand,” when it comes to gift giving, women are simple. It’s all about POINTS! That’s right, Points! You see women give you secret points for every action and gift you present no matter what the cost. A dozen roses is awarded the same number of points as a dozen carnations because it took the same amount of thought. Wildflowers that you stopped and personally plucked from the side of the road gets a few extra points because you spent extra time doing it. Going all over town to find her favorite flower gets you the most points because 1) you remembered what her favorite flower is, 2) you were spontaneous enough to get them, and 3) you went out of your way to find them.

To be truly successful at giving gifts to women, you just need to remember three things. 1) She wants to know you cared enough to put some thought into the gift. 2) She wants to know you are giving up some of your time to give her that gift. And 3), she wants to know you are willing to spend time with her (and only her) at least one evening a year. (Of course, you do get extra points by turning an evening into a full day.)

Since Valentines Day is the obligatory male-female day of connection that comes but once a year, it is especially important to prove your love on that day. If you “forget” or “just don’t want to give into another day created by Hallmark,” points will be deducted in a big way. However, going the extra mile doesn’t have to be expensive to curry favor…it simply has to fit within the three parameters above.

Now to be truly frugal this Valentines Day, and yet make it the best Valentines Day ever, consider turning Valentines Day into a week (or even two). Some of the ideas below can be done daily and will make the woman in your life feel like a queen without buying her the tiara. All women really want is what they see in the movies…an expression of passion and thoughtfulness.

GIVE HER ONE FLOWER A DAY FOR TWO WEEKS: Every day, deliver any kind of flower to her in a unique and thoughtful manner. Stick them under her windshield wiper, in the toothbrush holder, in the fridge (and so on) and you will delight her each time she finds it. That’s because you are going out of your way to 1) come up with ideas, and 2) get the flowers (even though you really just stole them from your neighbor’s garden). At the end of two weeks, she will have a lovely bouquet and fourteen days of enchanting memories.

FOR EXTRA POINTS: Put a flower under her windshield wiper when she’s at work or an appointment and she will know that you went way out of your way as soon as she sees it.

STICK POST-ITS DECLARING YOUR LOVE FOR HER ALL OVER THE HOUSE. Put one in her coat pocket, in her purse, on the visor in her car, in her planner, etc. This is something you can do all at once, yet she will find these notes over days and weeks. It’s free to do, but your “thoughtfulness” and the romantic sayings will get you two points per note…a win-win situation.

FOR EXTRA POINTS: Use flower-shaped or heart-shaped post-its for a little extra romance.

DRAW HER A BUBBLE BATH WITH CANDLES LIT ALL AROUND. I know…this is an old cliché…and yet it never grows old. Even though she may want to take the bath without you in it, you’ll get points for drawing the bath, the bubbles, and every candle you lit. Throw some rose petals on top of those bubbles, and you are bringing the magic of the movies into her life.

FOR EXTRA POINTS: Throw her towel in the dryer just before she’s ready to get out for that special spa treatment.

HAVE A MYSTERIOUS GIFT DELIVERED TO HER WORK. Make a special plan for the evening and deliver something that she will need for that event. For example, a pair of her comfortable boots for a nature hike, or one of her favorite sweaters for a night at the beach. She’ll be trying to guess all day what you have planned, which adds excitement to what may otherwise be an ordinary date. Always include a single rose.

FOR EXTRA POINTS: Make that a brand new gift and you’ll get extra points for that as well.

<!–[if !supportLists]–>5. <!–[endif]–>TAKE HER TO A ROMANTIC LOCATION FOR A PICNIC. You don’t have to be fancy with the picnic fare. Grab her favorite sandwich from Subway or some pre-made chicken and potato salad at your local grocery store. Take her someplace you might have taken her when you were teenagers…someplace where making out could be an option…and don’t forget the blanket to sit (or lay) on.

FOR EXTRA POINTS: Make that picnic occur at sunset. If the weather is cold, find an indoor location where you can watch the sunset in comfort.

Feel free to use these ideas without deviation, or brainstorm to think of a few of your own. Just remember, all the woman wants to know is that you are willing to go that extra mile…even if it is a requirement.