5 ways to show you care

According to the Retail Council of Canada, Canadians show their love and friendship on Valentine's Day in traditional ways, dropping $19.75 million on flowers and $138 million on candy in 2003.

But if you really want to impress your loved ones, why not consider more innovative -- and less expensive -- ways to express your feelings?

1. Time
In today's fast paced world, the best gift is often a gift of time. A gift certificate or coupon book for jobs and favours is easily created and greatly appreciated. Some ideas: a car wash, babysitting, garage cleaning, dog walking or yard work.

Offer up a full day of spoiling: breakfast in bed, a drawn bath with bubbles and a good book, a day of leisure followed by a candlelit dinner.

2. Talent
If you have a skill that can benefit the special people in your life, why not capitalize on it? For example, if you're a good cook, package homemade mixes (pancake/cookie/quick breads/cornbread) in containers complete with preparation instructions. Or put together a booklet of favourite recipes.

If woodworking is more your cup of tea, birdhouses and mailboxes make good gifts that can easily be personalized to match the recipient.

Make potpourri or homemade bath salts -- your local library and the Internet (check out our craft channel) will give you plenty of ideas for making and packaging these items for a fraction of what it costs to purchase them in stores.