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Valentine's Day should not be about who got the best, most expensive present from their partner. Instead, it should be a day to spend with someone you love, a day to do something special together. However, in today's world, this intent often gets lost, and instead, turns into a competition about who gave the better present.

In most cases, doing something special doesn't have to cost the world. While taking your significant other out for a meal at a restaurant can be a romantic gesture, there are many other things that can be done instead, and are likely to earn you extra 'brownie' points for doing something unexpected and with thought.

What about heading out to your local park for a picnic under the stars? Pack a picnic basket, a rug (and an extra blanket if it's a cold night) and snuggle up together under the stars, snacking on your favourite foods.

Another option is to surprise your partner with a candlelit dinner. If you're not the greatest chef in the world, it doesn't matter. It's the thought that counts, and candlelight makes anything special. If you've done a quick clean up of the place beforehand as well, it's likely that your partner is going to be extremely overjoyed by the gesture.

And when it comes to gifts, there are a world of options. It's often the simplest things that are most appreciated, so don't feel the need to go out and spend your weeks wage on a single gift. Perhaps you could create a set of vouchers to give to your partner, that they can 'cash in' at any time during the year (eg. IOU one week of dish washing duties, IOU one half hour massage, etc).

Perhaps you can reinstate 'date' night. Buy an inexpensive diary, and pick a night every month and fill in the entry with your proposed date night details. Showing your partner that you want to spend some 'you' time together is extremely romantic, especially if you've fallen into a routine of coming home and sitting in front of the t.v every night after being together for awhile.

Making your partner happy doesn't have to be about spending copious amounts of money. A little thought can go a long way. By doing the unexpected, and not simply turning up with the standard box of chocolates, you'll make your partner very happy this Valentine's Day. It comes down to showing them that you're thinking of them, and are not focused on the consumerism aspect of the day. Anything that comes from the heart is going to be much more appreciated than some from the store!

Learn more about this author, Kris Zelunka.
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