Recession Proof Valentines Day Romance

Just because the economy is down, doesn’t mean the romance factor has to decrease this Valentines Day!

Take a look at these tips to take the commercialism out of your V-Day celebration and get down to the heart of the matter with these simple and inventive ideas for a sweet-yet-cheap Valentines Day.

1. Stay in and serve dinner for two.
Splurge on fine ingredients (lobster, truffle oil, steak) or fancy wine and you’ll instantly save over 50% by cooking it at home. Make it memorable with candles, small portions (no one wants to feel stuffed on the love holiday!), and dress up like you're dining in the most fancy foodery.

2. Go dancing in your own living room.
Plan out a lengthy playlist featuring danceable songs that set the mood for love. (Slow songs by Adele, Billie Holiday, Robin Thicke, Michael Buble are tops, or music that means something significant to you both.) Move the furniture, create some mood lighting, and set up a bar stocked with your honey’s favorite drink. You now have bottle service and complete privacy.

3. Try a naughty game night.
Play strip anything: Strip Wii sports, strip Scrabble (using only naughty words for added effect), strip King’s Cup, strip Twister, strip Scene It: Twilight Edition. As long as you both enjoy the game and you’re playing for articles of clothing, it’s going to be hot. Have a bottle of wine open to loosen up the first round.

4. Make a romance mix.
It seems old fashioned but people love a music mix. CD’s are the basic minimum, but why not get a USB drive with 100+ songs you know your Valentine will love? Throw in a heartfelt love letter, poem, or some naughty pictures and be digitally romantic!

5. Hit the best strip club in town.
For spicy fun, go enjoy the eye candy and spend a randy couple of hours warming up for a hot night; it's still a lot less than a fancy dinner with champagne. 

6. Do your own stripping at home.
Sit your man down with a drink, then set the mood with lighting and a sexy tune. (Try “S&M” or “Skin” by Rihanna) Tease then please; give him the ultimate lap dance with a special ending.  

7. Try role-playing.
Pretend you're strangers and pick up on him at the bar, try out the leather daddy look, cruise each other online— whatever your fantasy may be. Just talk to your partner about the ideas first, so you’re both fully on board for a kinky Valentines.

8. Pamper with an at home spa night.
Chill champagne, light candles, and pick up bath oils and scrubs from the drugstore. Have his robe clean and ready to slip on, and then lavish him with at-home treatments. Finish with a full body massage that includes aromatic oils. 

9. Send him on a sexy scavenger hunt.
Text your man clues to meet you at a significant spot (the bar where you met, make out spot with a view, etc.) where you’ll be waiting with treats, a card, or dinner. It will make for a night he'll never forget.

10. Make a dessert bar in the bedroom.
Chocolate syrup, a paintbrush or two and whipped cream (and some spare sheets) are all you need. After getting messy, clean up is a snap (and quite fun).

11. Give him love on the go.
Put hot coffee in a travel mug, then wrap a bagel or breakfast sandwich up and put them in his car before he leaves for work in the morning. Slip a mix CD in his dash, hide a love note or naughty pic under the visor, and leave a map of where to meet you that night. He’ll be excitedly anticipating your evening together all day.

12. So he’s not a classic romantic?
Skip the over-priced roses and get him a bouquet of Snickers bars, condoms, beers from all over the world, scratcher tickets, or boxers and T’s. It’s a lot more personal and he will feel flattered in a way that’s totally comfortable.

13. Save cash with smart choices.
Make reservations at a restaurant with no corkage fee (BYOB/BYOW), or just enjoy the main meal at the restaurant and leave the pleasurable additions (appestizers, desserts, etc.) for home to keep the bill comfortably low.

14. Give Valentine's Day in a box.
Grab a large box and fill it with everything you need for a night of uninterrupted bliss: wine, opener, glasses, chocolates, condoms, lube, music, a movie, cheese, bread, a blanket, massage oil, ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign, blindfold, toys—whatever puts you in the mood. Present the box, and yourself, with a bow to your guy and let the rest of the world disappear for one night.