LOVE TIPS & IDEAS

Get your partner a wristwatch. Inscribe it with: "I always have time for you."

It's romantic, but commonplace, to eat dinner by candlelight. So here's a change of pace: Eat breakfast by candlelight.

Doesn't your partner deserve a trophy for being the "World's Best Lover"? Use your creativity and the romantic possibilities of personalised plaques, ribbons, certificates and banners are immense.

Call your partner from work for no other reason than to say, "I love you."

Kidnap her! Blindfold her. Drive her around town until she's thoroughly lost. Then reveal your destination: Her favorite restaurant, or maybe a romantic inn.

Unplug the TV. Put a note on the screen saying, "Turn me on instead."

Hold hands.

Pick flowers for your partner from the side of the road.

Write a short note to your lover that's spread out over several postcards, then mail the cards one at a time. You'll build anticipation for the romantic conclusion on the final postcard. (Maybe deliver that last one in person.)

On your yearly romantic checklist, make plans for Valentine's Day-well in advance!

Give your lover a dozen roses-with a creative twist. Give eleven red roses and one white rose. Attach a note that reads: "In every bunch there's one who stands out-and you are that one."

Identify that one pivotal event that brought the two of you together. Celebrate that event every year.

When out together in public, wink at your partner from across the room.

Draw each other's caricature - try it even if you're no good at sketching!

Don't just go out to a movie on Saturday, like always. Call your partner from work on Wednesday and formally ask for a date.

Make a list of the top 10 things you love about your partner. And display it prominently.

Shower together.

Write "I Love You" on the bathroom mirror with a piece of soap.

Following a bubble bath you've prepared for her, wrap her in a towel that you've warmed up in the dryer.

Re-enact your first date.

Have "your song" playing on the stereo when your partner returns home from work.

Get the whole "family of products" in the fragrance of her favorite perfume (bath powder, soaps, cremes, candles, etc.)

Write your partner a love letter or poem on one sheet of paper. Glue it to thin cardboard, cut it up into puzzle-shaped pieces, then mail all the pieces. Or, mail one puzzle piece per day!

Take A Few Dance Classes - Nothing brings two people together quite like dancing - join a few intro classes at a nearby studio and enjoy the salsa.

Make a giant greeting card out of a big cardboard box (such as the type used to pack a refrigerator).

Guys: Surprise her by performing one of her chores for her. And not something easy like carrying the groceries, but something that requires some time and effort - like cooking all the meals over a weekend, or cleaning the entire house.

Want to jazz up the presentation of a special meal? Buy a little hunk of dry ice from a local ice house. Put it in a bowl of water and place it on your serving tray. You'll create wondrous, billowing white clouds!

Give a foot massage

Write a classic, romantic, passionate, handwritten, heartfelt love letter. Most adults haven't written a love letter since high school!

Call a local radio station and request a special love song to be dedicated to your partner. Make sure he or she is listening!

Practice even-day/odd-day romance: On even days it's your turn to be romantic, and on odd days it's your partner's turn.

Surprise your partner with a big kiss on the neck.

Spend the entire day watching romantic movies.

Buy a lottery ticket. Give it to your partner with a little note attached: "I hit the jackpot when I married you!"

Spread rose petals all over the bedroom.

Visit a karaoke bar and surprise your lover by getting up and singing "your song" to him/her.

Every once in a while, kiss her hand with a flourish. Note: The proper way to kiss a woman's hand is to lower your lips to her hand. You don't raise her hand to your lips.

Place a little love note or poem under the driver's-side windshield wiper of his or her car.

Bring home one small, unexpected gift each week.

Hide a love note in his or her wallet or bag

Make a bucket list together - list down all the things you want to do before you die!

Draw a silly picture of the two of you. Frame it.

Ladies: Send him a letter sealed with a kiss. Use your reddest lipstick.

Write nice messages on POST-ITS and stick them on the bathroom mirror before she or he wakes up

Make a toast to one another every time you hold a wineglass. Make eye contact. Take turns making the toast. Whisper it.

Have a "fingers only" dinner, make it messy and feed each other!