Just add love… 5 inexpensive ideas for Valentine’s Day

The most romantic day of the year is almost here and pressure is mounting to get that perfect gift or plan the ideal date. While your man probably puts less importance on Valentine’s Day than you do (if he remembers it at all), you still wouldn’t want to come up empty-handed should he surprise you with the apple (or handbag/jewellery) of your eye.

Want something other than the ordinary for Valentine’s Day this year without breaking into your retirement fund? Here are five Valentine’s Day ideas that will go easy on your credit card while winning you big points with your loved one.

1. A little piece of your heart: We know that the way to a man’s heart is through the stomach, especially if the route is sugar-filled so go online for a few easy cookie recipes and get a heart-shaped cookie cutter or add some coloured red M&M’s or candy to make it more festive. Enlisting the kids to help out will help keep them out of mischief for the afternoon as well.

2. Dipped in love (and chocolate): Want to avoid the crowds, hiked-up prices and set menus at restaurants on Valentine’s Day, but can’t exactly claim Nigella Lawson’s culinary skills? If you don’t relish the thought of slaving away at a hot stove, the fondue is the ideal romantic dinner in. Start with a cheese fondue in which veggies like broccoli, cauliflower or peppers are dipped. Generally, melted Emmenthal or Gruyère cheese are used for fondues, but if Cheddar is your cheese of choice, that works too. The next part is the meat fondue where slices of chicken, beef or shrimp are cooked in hot oil (or broth, for a healthier option). The main event will naturally be the chocolate fondue, which is made by melting bars of chocolate with a bit of milk. Dip strawberries, cookie pieces, marshmallows, and apple slices(for an Arabian twist, add dates) for a taste of heaven. Don’t have a fondue set? Improvise with pre-cooking the meats, and keeping the melted cheese and chocolate warm in a saucepan, re-filling the serving bowl as required.

3. The Great Outdoors: The weather is simply glorious at this time of the year so make the most of it and have a date outside. Enjoy a picnic in Al Manzil or Al Safa Park or bring out the little Hibachi grill for a beach BBQ.

4. Pictures speak a thousand words: For a personalised card, create a photo essay compiling favourite photos of the two of you and copy them into a Word document with captions and romantic messages.

5. Big Screen / Little Screen: Head out to the movies – curl up in a couple of Lazy Boys (what better way to a man’s heart!) with the Cinestar’s Valentine’s offer. Or simply grab a basket, box or gift-bag, and fill it with some comforting goodies for your man to enjoy for a quiet night in: a Goodfellas or football DVD, a six-pack of beer, bag of popcorn, and a Sports Illustrated magazine.

It doesn’t really matter what you end up doing to celebrate Valentine’s, the only thing that counts is spending time together. After all, the most important ingredients in the recipe for V-Day are a dash of thought, a spoonful of caring, and a really big dose of love. Happy Valentine’s Day!