50 ways to say I love you

Things we've done in the past...

Create a heart attack
"Heart Attack" a room in your house -- Cut out paper hearts and stick them all over the walls. Guaranteed to be a great surprise. Balloon Frenzy -- When my husband and I were dating money was tight. He knew that I really liked Mike & Ikes candy. So he went out and bought red balloons, ribbon and candy. He tied a little bag of candy to a ribbon and a balloon. My living room was full of balloons and I was eating candy for weeks. Car Ambush -- Another thing that my husband did that Valentine's was when I was at work, he found my car and with toothpaste he wrote on my rear window _______ loves Marcy. (His name in the blank.) It was very sweet and it let everyone know how he felt about me.
–Marcy Buchanan, via email

Tell the world
Paint "I love you ______" on a Huge banner across a walkway over a large highway
–Melissa Currie, Calgary, AB

Dates to remember
Buy a calendar with a romantic theme (flowers, Victoriana, etc) and go through it marking off all the significant dates in your relationship: first date, first kiss, day you moved in together, etc. Use stickers and markers to decorate the squares or pages for these days and give it to your sweetheart -- s/he'll be delighted you remembered them all! Attach a note with a tender message, such as "All my best days are with you". After New Year's, calendars are usually 50 per cent or more off, so this is a great gift for those on a budget.
–Silvia Neuteboom, Ottawa, Ont.

Love coupons
Instead of purchasing a gift for Valentine's, make up a jar with message of love and coupons of things that you can do for him that last past the one romantic day of the year.
–Lisa Narancsik, via email

Alone time

Soak up each other's attention
Last Valentine's Day I sent my husband a valentine that said: "I love you so much I kiss the ground you walk on and shower you with roses." I had put a trail of Hershey kisses all the way down the hall into the bathroom, where I had lit candles all around the room. I had run a warm bubble bath and hung roses all over the shower where we shared a romantic bath, and Valentine's Day together.
–Tabatha Tilson, via email

Entice him at work
Phone him while he is working and make all sorts of "interesting" promises for when he gets home from work valentines evening
–Arlene Cherry Strathmore, AB

A romantic getaway
An overnight stay at a quaint little inn or hotel would certainly make her gleam with joy. Try taking her out on the pretense that you're going shopping. This not only will shock her (most men hate to shop) but it will show that you've gone out of your way to not only keeping it a secret, but that you're also a hopeless romantic.
–Dan Firman, via email

How do I love thee?
Make a list of all the reasons you love your partner. Add everything you can think of, from their gorgeous eyes to the way they laugh to how they make you feel when you're with them. Then find a quiet place to sit down and read your list to your partner.
–Carrie Grosvenor, Ancaster, ont.

King (or queen) for a day
This is what I do. Surprise him by making him King for a Day. Prepare breakfast in bed followed by a coffee and newspaper. A quick trip to the carwash while he finishes reading the paper and then it's off to do one of his favourite things -- skating on an open pond. Afterward it's a quaint stop for hot chocolate and marshmallows. A nice country drives takes us along the wine route where we stop for an afternoon wine tasting session at a local winery. Then off to his favourite restaurant for a romantic candle light dinner.
–Karen Audet, Fort Erie, ont

A trail of naughty paper hearts
Leave heart shaped paper in red and pink scattered on the steps with thoughts of what you'll do to him once he reaches the end of the notes.
–Marilena Vitaterna, via email

A night out alone
Take him out for a romantic dinner, and slip home before you pick the kids up from the sitters!
–Marilena Vitaterna, via email

Plan ahead
This year for Christmas I booked a one–night getaway at the Ramada Inn for February 13th...Men are sometimes hard to buy for, and this way I have something special to give my Sweetie for Christmas...I will put the brochure in his stocking...and we will wake up on Valentine's Day at out "get away."
–Cindy Bailey, Trenton, Ont.

Cook dinner together
Instead of going to the usual restaurant for an expensive meal, cook a simple but delicious dinner at home, and then get dressed up and take him out for some real couples dancing. Check your Yellow Pages and newspaper for clubs and dance schools. Most of them usually have something on for Valentine's Day, charge a nominal fee, and may even offer lessons for beginners. Try Latin clubs for salsa dancing or the local ballroom studio.

Dance like no one is looking
Nothing beats the romance of being swept away by the music, wrapped in your partner's arms.
–Silvia Neuteboom, Ottawa, Ont.