The marital relationship

Romance at a Glance

Romantic Ideas
Especially for Him
Especially for Her
Gift Ideas
Gift Presentation
Date Ideas
Anniversary Ideas
Valentine's Day Ideas
Christmas Ideas
Romantic Quotes
"I love you" in other languages


Romantic Ideas

Carve your initials in a tree in your yard.

I bought a tear-off (day by day) calendar for my (then) fiance (now husband). It had a short quote for each day, and I wrote messages to him for each day as well. Sometimes it was a verse, or I read the quote or saying for the day, and wrote how he was doing in those areas, or just told him things I love about him. He looked forward to the new messages every day and has saved the pages of the calendar in his special memory box (which is romance to me!). It wouldn't have to be done for every day, messages every once in a while are romantic -- on a pretty practical gift! - submitted by Cindy T.

Create your own personal holiday (the anniversary of when you knew you were in love or just "Our Day").

Do a chore for your spouse (yes, this can be romantic, especially if your spouse is the practical sort).

Give your spouse an all over massage.

Turn off your TV (and computer) and spend the evening talking or cuddling.

Leave a small love message spelled out with jelly beans, legos or whatever you have on hand.

Make up hand signals that means something personal or romantic (like tugging your left ear lobe means "I love you" or tapping the back of your spouse's handmeans "let's find a little privacy").

Kiss your spouse while waiting for the stoplight to change.

Write little love messages on sticky notes and put them all over your spouses car, favorite chair of computer center.

Have a wrestling match or pillow fight and let your spouse win (of course, you are the prize).

Read aloud to each other before bedtime (maybe a couple's devotional?).

Declare "Wife or Husband Appreciation Day."

Have a small love message engraved on his/her keychain.

Send an e-card.

You can use dry erase markers on the bathroom mirror to leave a message for your spouse (I used to use lipstick). The markers make for easier cleanup and a more colorful message (I purchased a package of 4 colored markers). - submitted by Rhonda L.

Invite your spouse to play strip poker, Uno or Scrabble (rules may vary).

If you have a spouse that travels alone, get a copy of the itinerary and contact the hotel in advance asking them to deliver flowers or a note to the room. You might get referred to a local florist by the hotel as they may not provide that service. One time I ordered a bottle of wine for my wife to be chilled in her room when she arrived. (submitted anonymously)

Create a spa experience at home. Plan a weekend filled with spa-type treatments, bubble bath, manicure, pedicure, therapeutic massage. Decorate the house with streamers, balloons, etc. Prepare gourmet meals, or have them brought in, along with favorite beverages. Pamper your spouse continuously for the entire time. End the weekend with a shopping expedition for favorite items (e.g., clothes, sporting goods, household accessories) and dinner at a fine dining establishment. (submitted by Keith S.)

Pack his lunch everday. Food always tastes better when someone else has fixed it. (submitted by Tracy M.)

Drive by the place where he or she works and leave a note in their car. (submitted by Tim M.)

When eating popcorn (usually while viewing a movie), feed it to each other. After awhile, hold one piece between your teeth, and the other can bite half of it off, creating a "popcorn kiss." (submitted by J.E.C.)

Sing a love song that you've made up yourself. It doesn't matter if you sound silly, because laughter is sexy. I often make up my own words to popular lullabys or children's tunes. This works especially well when my husband is in a bad mood.