THE DATE Preparation There are tons of...

THE DATE

Preparation

There are tons of things you can do for your sweetie that won’t

cost you an arm and a leg.

In order to make a memorable Valentine’s Day for less than $40,

there is some creative planning you must begin with.

1. Write out four little notes on tiny scrolls of paper. They

could be coupons -- good for one free massage -- or individual

stanzas of a poem; one on each piece of paper.

2. Buy a small bag of Hershey’s Kisses -- $2.50 at Stater Bros.; a

package of pre-made sugar cookie dough -- $2.59; a heart cookie

cutter (if you don’t already have one) -- $1.99; and a tube of red

frosting -- $1.69. Pick up your choice of Croc Rock Shiraz, merlot,

cabernet or chardonnay for $2.99.

3. Go to a local florist, such as Moore Flowers & Balloons in

Costa Mesa, and pick out four red or pink balloons. Insert one of the

pieces of paper, rolled up like little scrolls, in each balloon. Ask

the friendly florist to fill the balloons with helium. Average price

runs about $1.50 per balloon -- total $6.

4. While you are there, ask the florist for a bag of rose petals.

Most places, such as Every Bloomin’ Thing, bag the outer petals of

their flowers and sell them for discount prices. Sometimes they give

them away. Total cost -- free to $5.

5. Tape one Hershey’s kiss to the bottom of each balloon and make

a trail from the living room to the bedroom, decorated with a trail

of rose petals. Throw some on the bed and pillows as well.

Dinner

Grab your sweetie and head to Gallo’s Sandwich shop in Corona del

Mar. Pick up your favorite subs, a bag of chips and some drinks for

less than $20. Take your picnic feast to Inspiration Point and watch

the sun set over the Pacific. (Make sure you bring a blanket and

jackets, as the ocean breeze tends to get chilly as the sun goes

down.)

Recite for her an original poem, or if poetry is not your thing,

read her a love letter addressed to her.

Dessert

Go home and bake your sugar cookies. Once they have cooled,

decorate them with hearts, left over kisses, etc. Write each other

cute little notes in frosting such as, “kiss me.”

More dessert

Have your sweetheart puncture each of the balloons, on the trail

back to the bedroom, and redeem her coupons.