Big love on a small budget

New Haven (WTNH) - Mar Jennings was here with some ways to show your loved ones how you feel on Valentine's Day without breaking the bank.

The following information was provided by Mar:

If you like fine dining on Valentine's Day (or any day) but cringe at the cost of a nice bottle of wine, bring your own bottle. Many restaurants will allow customers to bring their own bottles and charge a corking fee to open and serve the wine. The corking fee is typically less than the cost of one glass of wine and you get to drink a better bottle of wine. Always check with the restaurant first to confirm their policy.

Roses and Chocolates:
Valentines Day is the day for roses, but it could be the worst day for your wallet because the mark-up on Valentine's Day can often be triple. Why not give a single long-stem red rose with a few other presents (see Progressive Presents below)? A single rose of high quality from a traditional florist is just as powerful as a dozen inexpensive roses. A single red rose says he or she is one-of-a-kind.

Who doesn't love chocolate? And what would Valentine's Day be without it? But a huge box is never necessary. A small box or package with three or four luxury and individually chosen pieces of specialty chocolate won't break the bank or the waistline.

Progressive Presents:
Giving lots of small presents one by one in different locations adds an element of surprise and fun. Books and calendars can be tailored to special interests. Retro games are fun and even a great deck of cards can be special. Tiffany's has a two-deck set of cards for $30 and it comes in a little blue box. Give the first gift at home, the second in a restaurant and the third during a nightcap. Place the last gift under the pillow. You will have made his or her day.

To wrap these gifts and help the environment, use newsprint. If you iron the newsprint on a very low setting, it will set the ink and won't rub off. Use the section of the paper that applies to your gift. If it's theatre tickets, use the entertainment section. If it's tickets to a sporting event or movie, use the appropriate section. And nothing says romance more than a red ribbon. Using newsprint and red ribbon on all the gifts provides consistency and visual interest. Good for your Valentine, good for the environment and good for you!

Gifts that keep on giving:
How about a coffee mug with both of your initials or names connected with a plus sign (MJ + CvS) just like when we were kids? It was cute then and it's even cuter now. Put in a gift card to Starbucks or their favorite coffee shop.

Add a charm to an existing bracelet or necklace. Add to an existing collection. River rocks make great paperweights. Use a permanent marker and write something witty like "Solid as a Rock" or "You Rock". Then sign your name with some "xx's and oo's".

Romance:
Romance doesn't cost a dime. All that's required is your time and a bit of creativity.

Start the seduction early by writing "I love you" on the bathroom mirror in soap if you're a man and lipstick if you're a woman. That will get your partner smiling and it's free.

Find an exposed beam in your basement or attic where you can draw a heart and put in both your names and the year. Use a Sharpie permanent marker. Now your house has a heart and soul and a snapshot into the lives of those who lived there. Imagine how exciting for the future inhabitants of your home to discover this simple gesture of love. This works just as well the day you decide to clean behind your refrigerator or when you need to replace your washer, stove or dishwasher.

Why let the card industry say it for you when taking the time to tell your loved one what it is about them that you love is much more intimate and personal? Buy a blank card and write your own message.

If you have a fireplace, nothing is more romantic than a picnic in front of the fire. For the cost of a dinner out or less, you can have a fabulous gourmet picnic right in the comfort of your own home. And nothing is more romantic than sharing food and feeding each other tempting treats. For a bit of added ambience, sprinkle rose petals on the blanket.

For more great information and ideas, log onto Mar's fabulous interactive Web site www.marjennings.com.