| We're all feeling the pinch of the recession, and we're | | | | because it doesn't sound too romantic from the title, |
| all making cutbacks - but this doesn't mean that | | | | but it really is. Simply design a treasure hunt around |
| romance has to go out the window. You may not be | | | | your house - or, better still, combine it with the tip |
| able to afford to whisk her off to Barcelona for a | | | | above and do it at the place you first met, or |
| weekend; you probably can't afford to pay for a | | | | somewhere special to you both. With each clue, |
| golfing break in France for him - but there are | | | | include a few words about how special he or she is to |
| hundreds of affordable - or even totally free - | | | | you, and make the final prize be...you! |
| romantic things you can do for one another. Here are | | | | 6. Rent a special film. And by this I don't mean 'The |
| our Top 10 ideas for romance on a budget: | | | | Specialist' with Sharon Stone, I mean a movie that is |
| 1. Create a Spa day at home. Every woman loves to | | | | special to you both in some way. Perhaps it was the |
| be pampered at a Spa, but the cost of this can be | | | | film you saw on your first date, perhaps it contains |
| astronomical. So why not create your very own | | | | 'your song' - whatever the reason, if it holds a special |
| treatment centre at home? Buy some inexpensive | | | | place in your heart, then a romantic night in front of the |
| massage oils, read a book on technique (or find info on | | | | TV is a cheap and lovely idea. |
| the web), and then spend a night massaging your | | | | 7. Take a passport photo of yourself. And not just any |
| loved one's aches away. The spa sauna can be | | | | passport photo - hold a sign that reads 'I Love You' in |
| replaced by a steaming bath, and you'll already have | | | | the photo booth. Present your loved one with this |
| robes at home too! | | | | memento for them to carry in their wallet at all times - |
| 2. Draw your loved one's portrait. Totally free, and | | | | they're really romantic gifts for her or him. |
| totally romantic. Don't worry if you're not a budding | | | | 8. Cook a romantic meal. Yes, this does happen to be |
| Leonardo Da Vinci, as it's the effort that has gone into | | | | perhaps the cliché of clichés, but it really |
| it that counts, not the final result. There are many | | | | is one of the best. It needn't be expensive, either, as |
| guides available on how to draw a portrait - try | | | | sourcing some top quality ingredients is always a lot |
| Amazon, or just give Google a go. You'll be creating a | | | | cheaper than a Michelin-starred hotel. OK, you may not |
| masterpiece in no time. | | | | be an award-wining chef, but as long as you have |
| 3. Pen a poem. Poetry is timeless - a romantic | | | | candlelight and your loved one, then the night will be |
| cliché that really works. Don't think that it's just | | | | perfect. |
| for women, either, as lots of men love receiving | | | | 9. Surprise them at work. Turn up in their lunch hour, or |
| poems. It doesn't matter if the last time you wrote a | | | | just when they're about to finish for the day, and go |
| few lines was when you wrote that limerick back at | | | | for a walk or a small bite to eat. Not only will it be a |
| school - just sit down, think about what that special | | | | surprise - which everyone loves - but it also shows |
| person really means to you, and write. | | | | that you love them so much you just can't keep away! |
| 4. Take them back to the place you met. Now, if you | | | | 10. Write a love letter. Another timeless tip, and one |
| happened to meet in the Penthouse of the 6-star hotel | | | | that doesn't cost a dime. Simply get out your writing |
| in Dubai, then this probably would break our budget - | | | | paper (remember that stuff?), your nicest pen, and |
| but if you met in the supermarket, in the park, or | | | | write about how you feel. When it's done, you can |
| virtually anywhere else, this is a great, simple and | | | | either leave it on her pillow in the morning, send it to him |
| inexpensive idea. | | | | at work, or present it to her yourself (perhaps with a |
| 5. Create a treasure hunt. Bear with me on this, | | | | rose in between your teeth too!). |