Have a fun-filled Valentine’s without breaking the bank

I hate to be the one to remind you, but today’s St Valentine’s Day! And you haven’t done anything about it, have you?

Well, now you know why your wife or girlfriend’s been grumpy these past few days.

So what are you going to do? Because one thing’s for sure. If you just try to ignore the whole thing, you’re not going to be popular…

But you don’t have to go nuts — rushing around to find a hugely expensive gift, and making a reservation somewhere you can’t afford just because that’s what everyone else is doing.

Despite all the fuss, St Valentine’s Day was just meant to be fun. And an excuse to stir up the passion in your relationship. So start by sending her some sexy SMSs to raise the temperature.

Even if she’s sleeping right next to you. Hint at nice things later in the day with out actually being specific, and you’ve bought yourself some time…

SIMPLE GESTURES

Slip out and buy some really nice flowers from a proper florist. And the makings of a romantic breakfast in bed. Some juice, fruit salad, croissants and so on. Or just be lazy and get a

takeaway from a good coffee shop if you like.

Put it all nicely on a tray and take it back to your bedroom — or round to her place! And before she even realises that you’d completely forgotten all about it, you’re a hero.

Now you can start planning something for later in the day. 

You don’t actually have to go out. You could just organise a pizza or whatever, jump into bed and picnic between the sheets. Complete with romantic music, and a bottle of wine...

If you do decide to go out, choose somewhere that allows you to talk, but not have to be focussed completely on each other. Like there’s a good band to listen to and plenty of interesting

people to watch. Or pep things up by meeting in a flashy bar and pretending you’ve never met before. Tease the people around you with how quickly you’re getting to know one another.

Or you could make it like a “blind date”. Pretend it’s your first time and use the flirty banter to rediscover what you first found attractive about one another.

Whatever you do, the aim’s to just to enjoy yourselves — and to set the scene for later. So there’s no need to go overboard with a five-course meal at the most expensive place in town…

If you want “St Valentine’s Night” to be really memorable, surprise her by showering or bathing together. Ever since Robert Redford washed Meryl Streep’s hair in Out of Africa, women have

loved the idea of a lover who knows what to do with soap and water.

But whatever you do, have a lot of fun! And you’ll be talking about your St Valentine’s Day for years — even though you almost forgot all about it!