Valentines Day
BUYING the perfect Valentine's Day gift for that someone special in your life doesn't mean you need to break your budget.
Put some thought into your gift this year and create one yourself.
Here are a few great ideas: you'll have fun making these items which are guaranteed to impress:
■ Personally made cards:
Be creative and design some great covers yourself. You can use computer software to help you design and print your cards, and maybe include a photo of the two of you.
After printing it out, add glitter or materials to make it standout. Or instead of using a computer simply get out the paints, pens or textas and have a go yourself.
■ Unique photo gifts
There's plenty of places where you can take your digital images and get them printed out on a range of products that make great gift ideas: these include mugs, t-shirts, keyrings, jigsaw puzzles and posters. Photos can create a gift that is unique to you and help share memories.
■ Make a romantic dinner
These days when cooking is all the go on TV and there are recipes galore to choose from it's not hard to put together a perfectly cooked romantic dinner.
Find out what your Valentine's favourite food is and make it. Or maybe just make a romantic dessert with chocolate and strawberries.
Why not put extra effort into the table setting and add candles and flowers.
■ Origami flowers
Be a little different and this year offer flowers that won't die after a few days.
The art of folding paper can make an interesting gift and you can choose from so many different colours and patterns. Research on the internet to learn the different flowers you can fold to add to your bouquet.
Get creative and find out what else you can make such as gift boxes, animals or stars.
■ Write a love letter
Write your feelings down and let that special someone know exactly how you feel about them.
Hand written letters are more personal, but when printing out a letter you can use special fonts to make it look appealing.
Put the letter, together with petals or glitter, in an envelope to add that extra effect.
■ Plan a day
Make plans to go for a romantic walk or a picnic.
Go to a special spot that means something special to both of you such as where you first met or had your first kiss or find somewhere with beautiful scenery.
■ Chocolate
Chocolate is always a winner on Valentine's Day. Buy a box or go out to a chocolate cafe and sample the range of varieties available. There are some new and interesting flavours such as chilli chocolate that will be fun to try.