Just as you’ve recovered from the holiday shopping marathon, it’s time for another swing at the shopping scene with Valentines Day looming ahead. Thankfully, you don’t have to squeeze your budget again to give a thoughtful Valentine present.

Bargain hunters are a creative bunch. We think and shop outside of the norm. You’ll find us stalking swap meets, flea markets, warehouse sales, resale and discount stores. Our creative, value oriented minds won’t allow us to overspend or give “cheap” gift. We like inventive, out of the ordinary, value packed gifts. But how do you come up new creative ideas when you’re still suffering from a Christmas hangover.

Think outside the box. Go for something a bit different. Use your creativity. To help get those creative romantic juices flowing, try incorporating some of these ideas.

1. If you must give flowers, they should compliment a thoughtful gift. How about hand-painting your love message on an inexpensive glass vase filled with flowers?

2. Deliver one long stemmed, red rose everyday to their office for a week. Labor intensive… but whoa, what a way to get your point across!

3. Hide Valentines Day cards in places “he” or “she” will find them. Inside his favorite suit pocket, his briefcase, the top drawer of his desk or hidden in his lap top.

4. Have your kids draw a picture of a heart, a bouquet or even a “best mom” ”best dad” and frame it.

5. Memorize a Shakespeare sonnet (118 is a good standard) and deliver it at an appropriate moment.

6. If mom or dad is a chocoholic, a large hand-painted mug with sumptuous chocolate mix is a good bet.

7. Create a romantic dinner at home. Cook up a special menu, set an appropriate dining table complete with candles, a tablecloth, and play soft music. Dress for the occasion.

8. Learn “I love you” in as many languages as you can. Write them down in personal notes and deliver them with gifts of scented soap, lotions and bath oils…

9. Give yourself the night off. Have the kids head to a friend’s or relative’s house for the night. Then order dinner out, rent a favorite movie and snuggle up. This combined with #7 is sure to be memorable!

10. Romantic coupon books filled with massages, star gazing, wine tasting and other romantic IOU’s.

11. Frame the lyrics to your wedding or special love song.

12. Surprise your loved one when they come home from work. Load up on dozens of candles from tapers to votives. Then light and set them around the house. When they arrive home from work, greet them with a glass of wine with the warm romantic glow from the candles. Special skimpy attire required. Romance will blossom!

The true art of romance is making your special someone feel special. It has nothing to do cost and has everything to do with making someone feel cared about. The little details, effort and thoughtfulness that go into your Valentine gift matter the most.

Suzanne O'Connor