by Heather Tomasello

Created on: January 06, 2009

Are you looking for something more creative to give your sweetheart for Valentine's Day than the same old chocolates, flowers, or lingerie/silk boxers? Here are 25 fresh and fun ideas to say "I love you" with style. (Some are practically free and others a little more pricey. All are guaranteed to thrill!)

1. Challenge him/her to a game of one-on-one basketball.

2. Secretly do the chore that your loved one most detests.

3. Take his/her car and have it washed, waxed and detailed.

4. Give him a basket with one bottle of wine vintage for each year you've been together.

5. Write a "Top Ten Reasons I Love You" List and have it framed.

6. Pack and picnic and have lunch with your sweetheart at a local park.

7. Does your city have a nice arts district or downtown area? Enjoy a leisurely stroll there together and afterwards have a cup of coffee at one of the cute little cafes.

8. Go roller-skating together (how long has it been since you did that?)

9. Pack a portable grill and have s'mores under the stars.

10. Buy or make magnetic words and write a love letter on the refrigerator.

11. Take out a classified in the paper to declare your adoration.

12. Use a pack of post-it notes to write the reasons you love your mate. Stick them around the house.

13. Give a bouquet of chocolate chip cookies instead of flowers. Bake cookies with popsicles sticks inserted. Then wrap in red cellophane and tie with a bow. Stick in a vase or flower pot.

14. Write a note or a poem on posterboard using different candy names and tape candy in place of the words (For example: "I would've been a Dummy if I hadn't dated you, Sweetart. I love your Hugs and Kisses. You're a real LifeSaver.")

Other Suggestions: Smarties, Milky Way, Kisses, Hugs, Kit Kat, 100 Grand, Pay Day, Jolly Ranchers, Butterfinger, Big Red, Nerds, Starburst, Babe Ruth, Mr. Goodbar, Almond Joy, Lifesavers.

15. Write an alphabet of things characteristics and qualities that you love about your mate. For example: Adorable, Bright, Crazy, etc.

16. Pack an overnight bag for your sweetheart and take them to a show or dinner, then for a surprise hotel overnight. Buy their favorite toiletries ahead of time and they won't suspect a thing!

17. Create a treasure hunt date with clues leading from one spot to another. Use places that have significance to your relationship: the place of your first date, first kiss, the Church where you were married, etc. Wait at the final destination point with a sign that says, "You are the treasure!"

18. Buy a copy of The Book of Us by David and Kate Marshall and begin to fill it out together.

19. Wake him/her up super-early and go for a hot air balloon ride. Say, "you make me feel on top of the world!" as you glide over tree tops.

20. Take a Scrabble board out write a love note in tiles. Leave it on the table for him to find.

21. Make a puzzle from a photo collage of your favorite pictures. Glue the photos to cardboard or heavy paper and cut into puzzle pieces.

22. Write a message on your driveway or sidewalk in chalk.

23. Recreate your first date.

24. Rent two or three "romantic" movies, like "Casablanca," "When Harry Met Sally," "Breakfast at Tiffany's," etc. Get your sweetheart's favorite movie snacks and pop some popcorn.

25. Give your love a copy of O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi (first read it yourself if you have not already.) Write him/her a special note on the inside of the cover. Express your desire to give gifts not as an end in itself, but as a way to show how much you cherish one another.

If you really want to "Wow!" your beloved, why not try all 25?!

Learn more about this author, Heather Tomasello.
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