Simple but Unique Ways to Show Your Affection
From:
Meredith Rodkey
64 days 13 hours 27 minutes ago
Everyone’s cutting back on expenses these days – daily trips to Starbucks are out, mass transit is in. If you’re used to treating your husband to a hardcover book you know he’ll like, you might be thinking about scaling back on those tokens of affection.
One word of advice: Don’t.
Relationships need surprises – they make the recipient feel special, and they make the giver feel clever. The trick is to find ways to treat each other without spending a lot of money (or any at all). Here are five ideas to get you started; all should run you less than $5.
1. Send Postcards. Who doesn’t love getting mail? Buy a set of prints by your husband’s favorite painter, and drop them in the mail one by one. Even better, make a list of things you adore about him and mail them in reverse order. He’ll rush to get the mail to find out what No. 1 is.
2. Designate a Relationship Mascot. Find something small – a toy, a matchbook – and make it your symbol. In my household, our mascot is a tiny rubber duck; my husband and I take turns hiding it where we know the other will find it. Most important, we never mention it to the other. (It sounds corny, and it is corny, but it’s also silly and private, which is thrilling.)
3. Plan a Scavenger Hunt. All you need is a trail of Post-It Notes; the only limit to the route and the treasure is your creativity. One trail might weave through the house to the bedroom – where you’re waiting in something naughty, natch – while another trail might lead to the backyard, where you’ve set up a makeshift campground for stargazing.
4. Pick a Kiss Word. This one works best if, like the mascot, only one of you is in on the plan. Here’s how it works: Next Saturday, if you’re going to a baseball game, kiss your guy every time he utters the word “strike” or “umpire.” He may not even realize what you’re doing, but he’ll still feel adored.
5. Make a Mix. There’s a reason why people are always exchanging CDs – they’re easy and meaningful. To make your mixes even more special, take them one step further: Do research. Find bands you think your husband will enjoy, then leave the CD in the stereo of his car (or create a playlist on his iPod).
