Over the top Romance. How to?

[InfiniteNow]

So, at the time of this post, Valentine's Day is approaching. However, this could serve as a list of benchmarks for good gifts and ideas for significant others on all occaions... birthday, anniversary, etc.

So, chocolates and flowers are boring, and jewelery is expensive. For those on a limited budget, who truly want to show the special someone in their lives that they really are special without being boring, what do you suggest?

Ideas... Thoughts... Stories of past successes, all welcome.

.....

Please share.

[infamous]

Originally Posted by InfiniteNow

So, at the time of this post, Valentine's Day is approaching. However, this could serve as a list of benchmarks for good gifts and ideas for significant others on all occaions... birthday, anniversary, etc.

So, chocolates and flowers are boring, and jewelery is expensive. For those on a limited budget, who truly want to show the special someone in their lives that they really are special without being boring, what do you suggest?

Ideas... Thoughts... Stories of past successes, all welcome.

.....

Please share.

A simple gift not too expensive given with honesty accompanied by a written note expressing how much that special one means to the one giving. If you can write a short poem, full of meaningful thoughts without becoming boring, that is also a nice gift. Whether just a note or a poem, a written note is something that your loved one can cherish and retain their entire lifetime. It's a gift that can be read and re-read as often as your loved one cares to do so. And if it's really thoughtful, I promise you it will be read more than once.......................................Infy

[Monomer]

I'm not a girly-girl, so flowers, chocolate and jewlery are completely wasted on me. My husband can show me that he loves me by cooking me dinner and/or cleaning the house so I don't have to (they're not something I enjoy doing). And a massage is always a winner.

[HydrogenBond]

How about recreating a meaningful "date:. This is something that you both brainstorm to get all the details just right. After the planning, you take a day apart, in indivdial preparation. Then meet for the date. The time apart will create excitement, anxiety and anticipation.

[Buffy]

I'll agree with Monomer on the "do anything you normally wouldn't do" and *especially* backrubs! But I *am* a girly-girl and I'm a total sucker for flowers, but here's the tip: Anything but red roses. 1) 50% of the time their inappropriate ("she's just not that into you" and it kills your chances), 2) if they are appropriate, they still raise eyebrows at the office ("oh so *that's* what you were doing Friday night, eh"), and 3) they're cliched and boring: I especially like multi-hued varieties (my favorite is one called "Mr. Lincolns" one of the orange-pink-red varieties), but mix in something other than Baby's Breath! Last year I got some lavenders with lavender Sweet-Peas and Cala Lilies: really classy!

Get me out of here is also wonderful. Depends on the girl though: I'm expensive because there's nothing I hate more than "roughing it," but one of my best friends would rather be in a tent somewhere on the John Muir trail than anywhere in the world. But anywhere but here.

The real bottom line is that its so rare for guys to put more than 5 seconds of thought into a present (cliched but true!), that *anything* you do that *shows* you put some thought into it rather than just money will be greatly appreciated! Who cares about the *price,* show me you love me!

Think before giving,
Buffy

[InfiniteNow]

How about the rest of you?

[CraigD]

1. Find a prospective significant other who’s a musician
2. Contrive dates at locations near large music stores
3. Inevitably, you’ll go wish-shopping. Pay attention
4. Determine the instrument of his/her dreams
5. Surprise them with it

It’s an expensive technique, but one that’s never, in my experience, failed (either on me or by me). And, if the relationship goes long-term, you’ll have access to all the expensive goodies just as if you’d selfishly bought them for yourself.

[Buffy]

I don't know. I bought my Les Paul myself, along with most of the other music junk I've got. I was married at the time I got it and I suppose it would have been okay if my ex had surprised me with it, but I'm not sure if I hadn't been that I would have felt right if my *boyfriend* had bought it for me. It just seems different. Besides which, I think we're all pretty picky about the instruments we actually pick: they're like puppies, they *tell* us that we're a match.

On the other hand, I've had my eye on an Ovation 12 string....

Pickin and grinnin,
Buffy

[InfiniteNow]

It's tomorrow. I've incorporated some of the ideas I received here on Hypo, but won't post yet. No surprises spoiled!

Now, things have been hectic at work, and I sure better not get caught on another late conference call. I'd be PI%&ED!!

[orbsycli]

Role play, have fun. Love. Maybe be totally honest with one another and fulfill each other's fantasy. Make something beautiful out of things around the house. Make a mandala of rose pedals, light some candles, or maybe a lot.
I'd drink a lot of wine, and only spend money on necessities.