A movie, a board game, and a pizza. That's how my husband and I spent our 11th anniversary night. Sure, that may not sound romantic to everyone, but after 11 years of marriage and two kids, getting out or planning big romantic gestures can be difficult. Instead, we find simple ways to express our love, which is just as important, if not more so, than the big gestures. And with the economy the way it's been, we're always thinking of cheap romantic ideas to show my love.
Whether your relationship is still somewhat new or you've celebrate many anniversaries, it is important to remember to say I Love You frequently with both passion and sincerity. It's also important to remember that we say I love you with not just our words, but with our actions, our body language, and our expressions.
While the newness of a relationship wears off over time, the lasting intimacy that you create comes from this everyday appreciate, respect, and love for your partner. Finding simple joys in just being together and putting romance into everyday situations makes all the difference.
With that in mind, here are 100 simple and cheap romantic ideas to express your love. Keep in mind that while these refer to he/she, none are gender specific and all are interchangeable.
Write down fifty favorite memories of your life spent together so far. Invite your partner to add to the list, as well as to share special ideas for the future.
Leave a message on her voicemail with a silly, romantic poem. (Roses are red, violets are blue . . .)
Create a YouTube playlist of romantic songs and email it to him or burn it onto a cd and slip it into his car.
Surprise him at work with his favorite homemade brownies and a simple love note attached.
Spoon.
Cuddle on the couch.
Write her a love message on the mirror in lipstick to find in the morning.
Create a special sign that only the two of you will recognize - a squeeze of the hand, a tap on the shoulder, a gesture - that means I Love You and use it frequently.
Watch a sports event with him.
Dance to "your" song together in your living room.
Light some candles and enjoy dinner together after the kids have gone to bed.
Listen without interrupting.
Rub her feet.
Give him a massage.
Take a walk together, holding hands.
Surprise him with his favorite DVD and watch it together.
Place a single red rose on her windshield.
Send a romantic text message.
Send a sexy text message.
Surprise her with breakfast in bed.
Take him out for a romantic mid-day lunch.
Play a board game together.
Watch a comedic special and laugh out loud together.
Give him a Saturday off to play golf, hang with his friends, or just be alone.
Kiss.
Hug.
Engage in PDA.
Avoid criticizing your partner, especially around other people.
Send her flowers for no reason.
Have a bottle of wine and a pair of open arms waiting after a long day of work.
Do a chore that she normally does -- dishes, laundry?
Give her a girls night out with friends.
Tell her she's beautiful.
Make a banana split together and enjoy it while watching a movie.
Cook together.
Re-create your first date.
Keep a love journal, writing down one thought, emotion, gesture, etc about your partner each day for a year.
Be thankful.
Be respectful.
Buy a bag of Hershey kisses and surprise her with them (on her keyboard, in her pocket, on her pillow).
Lay in bed together for a few extra minutes.
Write her a love letter or love poem and send it in the mail.
Make his favorite dinner.
Make the coffee so that it's ready when she wakes up in the morning.
Ask how her day was.
Choose a book that you both will enjoy and read it together out loud.
Write down 10 things that you love about him and slip it in his wallet.
Rent a cheesy romantic movie and make pizza together.
Flirt with each other.
Give her a few minutes to unwind when she gets home from work.
