Right now, we are driving and driving and driving and driving and you get the idea. So I decided to repost this list from February 9, 2008.  It’s not too early to start scheming.

How to Celebrate Valentine’s Day Cheaply

1. Mail something to your sweetie. My husband always gets the mail so he would receive the letter/package. If you get the mail is there another place you could mail something? One friend e-mailed her husband a picture of her blowing a kiss. A good idea that her husband enjoyed.

2. Make your own card or letter. It could be just a note, a thank you, or a small book. My reminder is to write something from your heart with your hand. E-mails don’t count this time.

3. Have a relative or friend babysit. Ask someone that will be happy with a thank you or inexpensive gift. Maybe work out a babysitting exchange.

4. Turn your dining room into a romantic restaurant alcove. Do a little or go all out. Cook, use take out, or order in. This would mean more if the husband would do it for the wife.
5. Tell the world. Do you have a sidewalk? Sidewalk Chalk? Make graffiti. If you have an unfinished or soon-to-be-repainted wall this would work great! If you don’t have chalk, maybe a paper sign for your window or soap on the car window?
6. Make a memory box. Instead of candy in a box use ticket stubs, poetry, little notes, photos, small mementos [like sea shells] that remind you of great times together. Wrap it up and give it to your other half. You could make an audio memory with a cassette tape or digital recorder. Include each of your favorite songs, a song from your wedding, etc.
7. Hide and Seek. No, not the game. Hidden love notes. You could even make a special puzzle and hide the pieces. My father-in-law once mentioned this idea in a sermon and jokingly suggested a note in a sandwich. The next day he ate half his love note from my mother-in-law!
8. Mysterious Outing. This is for the guys. Most women don’t mind well-planned surprises; Men don’t handle them as well. Leave her a message to meet or be ready at a certain time. Have a fun outing planned – don’t forget a babysitter! It doesn’t have to be night in a hotel. It could just be a walk, a bike ride, or some window shopping.
9. Coupons. Not the ones in the Sunday Paper. Ones you make yourself. For back scratches, quality time, lunch, alone time for the busy mother, a chore completed, etc. Use your imagination.
10. Have a Picnic. The food doesn’t have to be expensive. The picnic doesn’t even have to be outside. It might be much more fun inside anyways…
11. Do it For Them. Does your heart throb love Monopoly and you hate it? Chances are it’s not been played in a while. Is your house Burger King vs. McDonalds? Poetry vs. Jules Verne? ESPN vs. Hallmark? Don’t just compromise. Cheerfully do one of their favorite [and your unfavorite] things.
12. Read together. Fairy tales? Love poems? A classic? Science fiction? Financial planning? It’s not what you’re reading that’s most important.
13. Make a list. Each of you could make a list of things that you think are romantic. Then put them on the calendar, and DO THEM!
14. Pretend you just met. Remember when you could just sit and talk for hours? You didn’t sit and bemoan all the bad things going on, how the mortgage went up again, and the gas tank is empty. Make a list of conversation starters if you’re worried it will be a silent time. It might be helpful to NOT talk about the kids. Talk about your dreams, your goals, your past good times.
15. Enlist a co-workers help. Do you know someone that works with your honey? Can you contact them without your honey knowing? Give the co-worker a stack of letters/small presents and ask them to deliver them throughout the day. Your honey will be pleasantly surprised by things appearing in their work area.