Valentines on a budget

By Victoria A. Tullock Editor-in-Chief                 With the economy still in limbo, people are trying to come up with constructive ways to show their affection for the person in their life without breaking the bank. So what can people do to not look cheap to their partner, but at the same time say I love you? Here are some suggestions on how to make a perfect at-home romantic dinner, but not look like you're coming off as cheap.   If you eat dinner everyday at home this may seem cliché and a bit boring, but you remaking your home to look like a romantic restaurant will impress your sweetie. So how do you do this? First, plan ahead and know your partner's routine for that day, make up some fake plans (make sure they are not too good, like don't tell them they are going to a concert of their favorite singer) just tell them to dress up and that you made reservations somewhere. Make sure they know to be at your house at a certain time. This is easily achieved by telling them that your day is packed and that you will need them there at your place at the exact time. You want tell them they can be a little late, but not too much because you guys have reservations. Now to transforming your home:

1.    Plan your meal

a. If you're a cook then find a good simple recipe that will not take too long and one that you can stick in the oven for two hours while you clean yourself up and finish the final touches on the place.b. If you're not a cook, then find a really inexpensive nice place that you know your partner likes, and order for take-out or delivery and make sure you set-up the food and throw away the evidence.

2.    Clean your apartment a day before

3.    Dress your place up with candles, a nice tablecloth or flowers.

4.    Pick some light romantic music to play in the background and make sure not to put it on continuous play, but make a playlist that will last awhile and set it on auto (no bump and grind music remember we said romantic, such as Luther Vandross).

5.    Get rid of extra chairs around the table to only seat two. Put the remaining chairs out of sight.

6.    Get out the good china or you can pick some up for pretty cheap at the dollar store (it's not porcelain but it's better than paper plates).

7.    Wear something comfortable but nice, and ladies if you are the one preparing the dinner then wear something sexy, but not uncomfortable or trashy.

8.   If you want, you can pick up some fake flower petals at any place selling valentine's items and sprinkle them around anywhere you may want to set the mood (i.e. rose peddles leading the way to an awesome dinner).

9.    Text your partner and check their status, and make sure to have pulled out the food and put it in nice serving dishes (again, the dollar store has the dishes for cheap).

10.  Check the volume of the music and make sure it is loud enough to hear, but not so loud that you can't have a comfortable conversation. When your partner arrives turn on the music, dim or turn off the lights, and light the candles.

11.  If you have children, involve them as well. They will make great little maitre d's.

12. Most importantly, enjoy your evening.