The best Valentines ideas for 2011 for romance on a budget

Are you hoping to make Valentines Day 2011 a special one for your sweetie? Is your loved one a little tired of getting the same old flowers and chocolates? Or are you still recovering from the hit your wallet took during the holiday shopping season, and in need of some budget-friendly – but still romantic – ideas? It can sometimes be a challenge thinking of new cost-effective ways to spoil your loved one, so here are some of the best Valentines ideas to start you off:

Write a love note:A handwritten love letter is still one of the sweetest ways to show you care, and a lovely way to personalize a gift that will touch even the most pragmatic person. Add it to an email gift card and you have the perfect combination of the practical and the passionate.

Let your love bloom: Fresh flowers for Valentine's are nice, but not only are they kind of clichéd, they can be quite expensive and they don't last long to boot. For an alte ative gift, how about giving your Valentine something like the Dunecraft Bonsai Rock Garden from Kmart.com, or start them off on their very own flower garden with seeds, planters and a nice garden tool set like the Trademark Poker 7-in-1 Plant Care Garden Tool Set, available from Sears.com, which comes with six tools and a handy carrying bag.

Chocoholic twist: If your sweetie loves chocolate but doesn't really want another box of chocolates for Valentine's, change things up a bit by whipping up some chocolate fondue – the cute heart fondue set from Buy.com is a romantic way to serve your sweet treat.

Valentine cards? For a twist on the traditional Valentine card, why not give an online gift card for a store or activity your loved one will really relish? If your Valentine is a real foodie, try a gift card for a gourmet food gifts store like Omaha Steaks, or if you're dating a shoe addict, get a Zappos.com Gift Card. Or for something both of you will be able to enjoy, get a BedandBreakfast.com Gift Card. Plus it's a great way to save as you'll only be loading your card with the amount you can afford. Check out the deals on all three gift cards at the eBillme gift card mall.

Remember that there's no need to go into debt to give your sweetheart the perfect Valentines Day, and in fact there's nothing less romantic than reaching for your credit card during a date, only to have it declined! So stay debt-free for Valentine's 2011 with the following money-saving tips:

• Do your homework: There are loads of deals to be found online, and it's easy to compare prices between different stores, so this is a great way to make sure you're maximizing the savings on your purchase.
• Look out for rewards: Especially if you're making a big purchase, it's worth looking into retailers or payment options that offer you rewards like cash back or discounts on future purchases.
• Avoid credit cards: The best way to keep track of your purchases and not spend beyond your means is to try paying in cash as much as possible, since it's easy to get into a vicious cycle with debt if you're constantly racking up a credit card balance and getting hit with interest and annual fees. Even when shopping online there are non-credit payment options available, many of which offer similar benefits to credit cards. eBillme is one such option that lets you pay for your shopping with your bank, online, just like you would pay for a utility bill, so no one sees your financial info except you and your bank.

Have a happy Valentines Day!