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Inexpensive Ways to Say 'I Love You' That Work

  • Published Jan 02, 2001
Inexpensive Ways to Say 'I Love You' That Work
(Especially But Not Exclusively for Men)

By Susan M. Shannon Davies

Susan M. Shannon Davies is a regular contributor to No-Debt Living, which provides financial, consumer, college and time-management news with a Christian perspective.

Want to add a little romance and zest to your love life without having to take out a loan for an expensive piece of jewelry or a vacation? Would you like to get a jump on making this Valentine's Day something to remember?

Saying "I love you" in a memorable, romantic way doesn't require a cosigned loan or a platinum-sized bank card bill. And, if you're like most spouses, a little advance planning is a very good thing.

To help the romantically challenged, here are some suggestions for showing your love in special, inexpensive ways:

  • Make a list of all the things you love about life with your spouse. Slip it into a card and tape it to the bathroom mirror.

  • Treat your spouse to breakfast in bed.

  • Make or buy a small token of your love and hide it as part of a treasure hunt. Pick out five or six hiding places and hide the gift in the last place. Then construct the clues working backward.

  • Cut out small pink paper hearts and write a favorite Scripture verse on each one. Put a couple where your spouse will find them right away. Then hide a couple more to be found during the following week.

  • Plan and make a candlelight dinner after the kids go to bed. Or a candlelight dessert for two, followed by candlelight dancing in the living room.

  • Surprise your spouse with heart-shaped cookies sometime during the day.

  • Get out your wedding album or pictures of when you first met, and look at them together. Trace how God has worked in your marriage from then until now.

  • Find, or write ahead of time, a special blessing prayer for married couples and pray it with your spouse.

  • Ask a neighbor to watch the kids (if necessary) while you and your spouse go for a walk. Be sure to hold hands and share your feelings about how important he or she is to you.

  • Find a book at the library, or buy one, with appropriate poetry. Pull it out several times during the day and read a poem aloud to your spouse.


Win the Creative Ways to Say "I Love You" Contest!

If you have a story about an inexpensive, creative way to say "I love you," please e-mail it to the romantically challenged editor of No-Debt Living, Robert Frank, at rfrank@nodebtnews.com. The best and funniest ideas will be shared with readers at www.nodebtnews.com and Crosswalk.com in the weeks ahead. The winner - to be chosen by the editors at No Debt News - will receive a Believer's Life System day planner ... (so he or she can plan those romantic events throughout the year). Please keep your submissions to under 200 words.

You know that praying with your spouse is important, but there's always some reason it doesn't happen at your house. Authors Jan and David Stoop offer ways to Overcome the Hurdles to Praying Together.

For more money-saving ideas visit No-Debt Living, www.nodebtnews.com, where you can view more than 100 valuable articles and resources on financial, college, consumer and time-management news with a Christian perspective. Copyright 2000 No-Debt Living.Reprinted with permission from No-Debt Living.