Isn't it hilarious to go to the grocery on the 14th of February and see the lines of men (and women) with flowers/cards/stuffed animals/junk? At this point they do not even care about what they are buying-- all they know is if they do not get something, they could be dead meat!  It could be you don't find it funny because you are one of those in line!

After trying to fight the crowds at the card stands and buying overpriced flowers that are going to die before the week is out, I decided that something has to be better than this. 

Now don't get me wrong, I am all for buying flowers, but I had rather choose the time myself.  You can buy a dozen roses for 1/4 of the price any other week of the year.  I once had a friend in college that used to go through the dumpsters behind a local flower shop for flowers for his girlfriend.  He told all the guys, and his girl found out and was his girl no longer-- end of story.  You don't have to be that cheap!  So then-- what is out there that is inexpensive but not cheap?

By the way, that reminds me of a joke... A young woman was taking an afternoon nap.  After she woke up, she told her husband, "I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentine's Day.  What do you think in means?"  "You'll know tonight." he said.  Later that evening the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife.  Delighted, she opened it-- only to find a book entitled "The Meaning of Dreams."

I did a little research and here are a couple of ideas that may help us out.  Don't worry, these are classy ideas-- you won't find anything crude here...

1.  Make your own card.  I remember when my Mom used to tell me when I was a kid that she had rather have a card made by us than a store bought card anyday.  I thought she was crazy-- then I had kids!  By the way, then I really was crazy!!!  So, we love that from our children, and I believe it will work with our spouses and friends as well.  Put some thought behind it and do a little work, and cheat Hallmark of $$.

2. Write a poem--  this might be hard for some of us, but if it is from the heart it will be appreciated and loved.  Anyway, have you really read the poems in some of these cards? Seriously, do these people get paid money to write this nonsense?  Lets use the brain God gave us and do something original.

3.  If you feel you have to support Hallmark Inc., buy your card early and mail it out to Loveland, Colorado.  Your card will be postmarked LOVEland, CO and will include a stamped four line poem (quality undetermined). 

Enclose a pre-addressed & pre-stamped Valentine's card in a envelope and mail to: Postmaster, Attn: Valentines, Loveland, CO 80537.  It is so easy and your love will know that you thought about Valentine's Day sometime before the night before and will see you in a whole different light!  Actually, most of us probably look better in the dark-- but oh well.

You can also send it to postmasters of these cities:  Valentine, Texas 79854 Valentine, Nebraska 69201, Kissimmee, Florida 32741, Loving, New Mexico 88256,  Romance, Arkansas 72136

4.  Last but not least, you can make an all year Valentine.  Before you read on, this is not for the weak of hearts, no pune intended.  This is going to be hard work so if you are looking fo the easy way out don't read this one.  Cut out at least 365 hearts from red paper.  By the way, this is a leap year so you need 366-- sorry guys.

Place a special message on each heart.  It can be anything that you know will make the love of your life happy throughout the year.  Bible verse, naps, trips, back rubs, dinners, prayers, on and on we can go, but I hope that you get the idea.  If not, go back to watching TV, playing Wii or bidding on Star Wars figurines. 

Place these hearts with messages in a basket/jug/ bottle/ laundry basket (just kidding about that one) and wrap as a gift and give to her this year.  They may want to read all at once or do just one a day-- or they may just throw it off the wall and you will have wasted all of that valuable time!!! But I doubt it but even if so you will be better for your effort. 

These are just a few ideas that I have come across that will help make this year special, yet save some valuable money to spend on football, fishing, fighting or just fooling around. 

Some said it this way: "If your outgo exceeds your income, then your upkeep will be your downfall."  How true is that?

If you read this far, please check that this was helpful and it will really make my day!  Even if it wasn't, I had such a great time writing it.  Check out my listings on Ebay.