How do you show someone how much you care without breaking
the bank? Make it meaningful without overspending. We might suggest one of our fine gifts
from our product lines, but if you are low on funds, here are 10 ways to let someone
special know how much they mean to you.
Pleasure for Him Gift Basket
1. Chocolate Chip Cookie Bouquets
I mix up a batch of chocolate chip cookies (use the mini chips, they work the best),
spread it in a pan and bake it for the required length of time. Make sure the cookie dough
is spread on the pan thinly enough; if it's too thick it will weigh down on the stick.
When it is finished, I let it cool for a few minutes and then take a heart-shaped cookie
cutter (small size) and cut out hearts. I shove lollipop sticks into the hearts (carefully, so as not to break the
cookie) at different angles: some on the side, some through the bottom.
To hold the cookie bouquets, you can wrap in cellophane and tie a ribbon around it (use
six cookies or even 12 if you really like the person!). I painted a terracotta pot
glittery red and got a florist ball, put tissue paper decoratively over the ball and then
made a cookie plant and tied ribbons selectively on the sticks. It turned out really
great!
2. Poetry
I once spent quite a bit of time writing a "why I love you" letter. By the time
I finished, I had a testimonial to my love for him. I typed it up with the date, printed
it on pretty colored paper and framed it. It sits in our bedroom. And to be honest, on
those days when I forget, I go back and read the "why I love him" message. --iVillager
cmleslieh
3. A Night of Pampering
I'm planning on drawing a hot bath, scented with (manly) oil, and pouring him a glass of
wine. After the bath, I will warm some massage oil and give my husband an all-over
pampering. You can add your own variations -- this might be fun after the kids are in bed.
--iVillager loreenak
Pleasure for Him Gift Basket
4. A Nice Homemade Dinner
I have a great idea for a nice dinner. We have started a nice little garden on our back
patio so I am going to put a nice table out there and decorate it. I am then going to make
homemade pizzas, salad and ravioli. We will have dinner on the patio. I am giving him some
hand-dipped strawberries and a nice poem along with the dinner. During dinner we will have
nice romantic music and candlelight for atmosphere. Then maybe coffee and dessert. No
expensive restaurant or expensive presents, just something nice from the heart. --iVillager
rivermoon
5. A Tape of Your Thoughts
Record your thoughts and special memories on an audiotape for a loved one. You can add any
special songs, poems, etc. that you or your loved one may like. This is a timeless gift
that shows how much you care about your loved ones. This gift also shows a very personal
side of yourself without costing you a lot of money. --iVillager jennie
6. Chocolate Kiss Rosebuds
Get Hershey kisses wrapped in red and silver foil (on sale, of course!). Put a silver and
a red kiss base to base. Center a piece of plastic wrap over the tip of the red kiss and
stretch tightly over both kisses, gathering it at the tip of the silver kiss.
Take a 12-inch piece of florist wire and twist the end around the plastic wrap to
secure. Wind with green floral tape, beginning at twisted wire, wrap up and around the
silver kiss then spiral back down, covering wire stem and tucking in artificial wire until
the entire length is covered.
NOTE: Don't worry, once you start doing these, the directions will make sense. Add a
few artificial leaves to complete the flower. --iVillager mercyteapot
7. Romance in a Basket
Include wine or champagne glasses (really cheap at Wal-Mart or Target, usually in packages
of four so one package will make two baskets), a taper candle or a couple of votive
candles with holders, Hershey's kisses and a bottle of champagne or wine.
Some of the other items that I have added are an instrumental CD or cassette (these can
found very cheap), and bubble bath. --iVillager cassandy
8. Gel Candles
This is a great and inexpensive gift. You will need:
- 3 or 4 canning or decorative jars that hold about 8 ounces (jars need to have lids or
corks; canning jars are less than $1.00 apiece)
- 1 16-ounce bottle of liquid potpourri (sometimes called simmering potpourri; about $2.00
per bottle)
- 1 box of Knox gelatin (contains 4 packages of gelatin; $2.00)
- 1 tablespoon of salt
All of these materials are available at places like Wal-Mart or your local craft store.
You may have to get the gelatin at the grocery store.
Directions:
Pour about 1/2 the bottle of potpourri in a pan or glass bowl and heat it until it
starts to boil. After it boils, stir in the entire content of the box of gelatin (all four
packages) and the salt and stir until it is completely dissolved. Once everything is
dissolved stir in the other 1/2 of the bottle of potpourri. Pour it into 3 or 4 jars
(depending on the size of your jars). You can also drop a silk flower down into the jar.
Cover the jar and place it in the refrigerator for two hours. When you want to release the
scent, uncover your jar. You can decorate the lids with ribbons and flowers if you want
too.
This is simple, smells great and is really frugal. --iVillager lisanm
9. Romantic Centerpiece
Here's an easy centerpiece you can do yourself.
Materials:
- 1 large flower vase (any color)
- Decorative paper to wrap around the vase (cellophane looks the most festive)
- 12 large balloons
- Balloon sticks with cups
- Several yards of curling ribbon
Assembly instructions:
Wrap vase with decorative paper. Blow up the balloons, tie them to the cups, and attach
to the sticks. Tie long lengths of ribbon to each stick. The more ribbon you use the
better. I attach several lengths to each balloon long enough to drape on the table. --iVillager
fcloud
10. Another Romantic Centerpiece
Get a red or otherwise festive gift bag, and put red and white tissue paper in it and
something in the bottom to weigh it down. Tie red and white balloons to the handles.
Sprinkle red and white confetti hearts around bag on the table. --iVillager cmleslieh
