Birthday/Valentine''s Help..

[OUpearlgirl]

My boyfriend''s birthday is February 11.. only three days before Valentine''s Day. I''m already so strapped for cash that I don''t know how I can do either, much less both. I feel bad, because he just started a new job and he also has an allowance from his parents. We both did very nice Christmas gifts, but I just cannot afford to give him something that costs very much.
I''m turning 21 in March and he has said multiple times that he is saving up for it. I told him "no don''t do that!" and he said that he had to because it''s my 21st and a big deal. He knows I don''t have a ton of money right now.

Here''s where I need your help! Although he is very sweet and perfectly amazing.. I don''t think he would appreciate something like a scrapbook or anything too "cutesy." I cook for him a lot, so making him dinner wouldn''t be very special. I have thought that while he is at work on his birthday I could decorate his house or bedroom with balloons and streamers everywhere and bake him a nice cake.. But that''s where my ideas run out.

What can you make/do that is inexpensive and not something he would find cheesy? Thanks for the help!!

 

[door knob solitaire]

Sounds like you and I have similar fellas. My advice...don''t over think this one. Go basic but add some fun. I would plan a scaled down version of a scavenger hunt. No I don''t mean cheesy...I mean va va va voom. I am not going into details.

But I will tell you sometimes plans that don''t include expensive gifts are far more memorable than those that do. Don''t believe me? Who bought you what Christmas 2005. You don''t even remember...but a dinner and romance with your fella, that is a different story. That is all guys want, really. To be reminded that he is your one and only. And the center of your world. That is free. But I would use some great food, special dessert maybe fondue, lots of candles and some special him time.

I once made a coupon book. It was filled with fun things, but also coupons to order his take out instead of mine...or one free pass to fore-go a girly thing...or a coupon for him to choose the movie or music...back rubs, car washed, trash duties, lawn duties...since you are students...lunch delivery when and where he needs it and the best...a get out of jail free card. Not cheesy, but valuable to him...I guarantee it. I will keep working on ideas for you...but that is all I have stored up.

 

[Independent Gal]

Bake bake bake! There are few things more touching than being baked for. Make him a cake for his bday, and a valentine''s cookie or hand made truffles for Valentine''s day.

BTW, the most to-die-for birthday cake EVAH is the 1-2-3-4 yellow cake in the Joy of Cooking. Do you have that book? It''s labour intensive, but oh so worth it.

 

[Fancy605]

Decorating and baking is a very cute idea. I think he would like that. I have been in similar situations with my now husband. We''ve done $50 budget Christmas, budget birthdays, etc. We always end up happy regardless. What sort of things does he like? Sometimes I am able to find something really inexpensive that caters a lot towards my husband''s likes (Favorite movies, sports teams, bands, etc.)

 

[fleur-de-lis]

What are his hobbies? About what is he passionate? Does he play a sport? Is there a sport he enjoys watching on TV? What are his favorite electronics? When he hangs out with his friends, what do they do?

("Low budget" means different things to different people: five dollars? Fifty? Five Hundred? Sometimes the best gifts are a combo of handmade and purchased....)

ETA: As for handmade items, I can't help but thinking that in my own life, although my fiance's primary scarf for wearing in wintry places is cashmere and Dolce and Gabbana (i.e. not the typical target for what I'm about to suggest), I think even he would be very touched and would adore if I knitted/crocheted him a scarf from scratch for Valentine's Day.... I mean, seriously, who gets handmade items any more??

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Thanks for all of the help so far ladies! My budget is probably $50 for both occasions, so around $100 total. I can go a little over that, but I don't want to go up to $200.

A little about him, in case this helps.. He loves golfing, he loves the Red Sox, he's obsessed with the OU Sooners. He played basketball for years, but can't anymore because of a knee injury. He will watch just about any sport on TV. He's a guy's guy who loves drinking beer with his buddies and watching sports. He's a neat freak. He wants to be a "land man" for an oil company.. Umm let's see.. Favorite color is blue or green. He dresses totally preppy.

IndyGal- I do have that cook book and I definitely have the time to do something labor intensive! Thank you so much for the suggestion.

DKS- I hadn't thought about a non-cheesy coupon book. Great idea!

ETA: I forgot to mention that he is going to Boston for the first time in March. I plan on getting him a travel guide to Boston, but cannot think of anything else to go with that!

Thanks so much for your ideas already. I really appreciate it!

 

[EricaR]

On our first valentines day I didn''t have a lot of money but I still wanted to do something really cute. I went to the craft store and found some blank jigsaw puzzles. I wrote a note on the puzzle and decorated it with some rubber stamps, then broke apart the pieces. I found a few cute Valentine''s Day cards, filled them out, and put two or three puzzle pieces into each envelope. I met up with one of his co-workers that morning to hand over the cards. His co-workers took turns delivering the cards spread out during the day so he had to wait to assemble all of the pieces until he had received every card.

 

[Harleigh]

Hi OU!

I go through these things a lot! Sometimes it''s due to lack of funds, lack of creative ideas, etc..., but my FI always appreciates whatever I come up with.

I like the scavenger hunt idea...I''ve done it a couple of times often leaving a favorite CD, cigars (which I hate but he lovees during poker games, etc...) and a humidor and sometimes, well, lingerie before a trip we were taking after I returned from a trip of my own.

I bought little white heart-shaped puzzles (available at most craft stores), wrote out the clues on each one reminding him of something that was important to us/our relationship and he had to actually figure out where each clue was...I wish I could''ve been there each time to record his reactions to each clue and then when he found what I left him!

As for baking, I have done the giant cookie pizza with something romantic written on it, which he loved, but he is very much into sweets regardless of what it said.

I also think it would be sweet for you to make him a CD of songs that remind you of him/your relationship together...

If he''s into sports, how about this from Amazon? NFL Greatest Follies Complete Collection

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_/002-0705087-3008005?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=NFL+Greatest+Follies+Complete+Collection&x=3&y=25

It''s not too expensive and I guarantee it will keep your guy entertained for the entire 212 minutes. I got this for Rusty and he loves it...I''m sure it will be playing somewhere in the house on Sunday in between SuperBowl sessions!

Hope that helps!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/27/2008 8:24:25 PM
Author:OUpeargirl
Here''s where I need your help! Although he is very sweet and perfectly amazing.. I don''t think he would appreciate something like a scrapbook or anything too ''cutesy.'' I cook for him a lot, so making him dinner wouldn''t be very special. I have thought that while he is at work on his birthday I could decorate his house or bedroom with balloons and streamers everywhere and bake him a nice cake.. But that''s where my ideas run out.

What can you make/do that is inexpensive and not something he would find cheesy? Thanks for the help!!

It would if all you had on was an apron....

 

[door knob solitaire]

Ellen!!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/28/2008 2:33:16 PM
Author: door knob solitaire
Ellen!!

What?

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Hahahaha! What Ellen said and DKS''s response gave me quite a good laugh.

Thank you for the ideas! I now have some inspiration! I''ll report back with what I do/how it goes. You guys are so sweet, thanks again for the help.

 

[AmberWaves]

OU, I just saw this! My husband''s b-day is Feb. 10, and our first married v-day on the 14th, so I''m just like, DANG. It''s hard enough to come up with one idea, much less ideas for two different milestones! I also appreciate all the suggestions: especially Ellen''s!!

 

[door knob solitaire]

Pearly girl...if you do what Ellen suggested...you can leave MOST of the details out, OK?

That Ellen

, we gotta watch her if ya know what I mean!

 

[OUpearlgirl]

DKS, don't you worry. I will spare you all any details that would make anyone, myself included, extremely uncomfortable!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/28/2008 7:00:39 PM
Author: door knob solitaire
Pearly girl...if you do what Ellen suggested...you can leave MOST of the details out, OK?

That Ellen

, we gotta watch her if ya know what I mean!

Honestly, you are just NO fun.

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Ok, IndyGal.. I looked in my Joy of Cooking book and the 1-2-3-4 yellow cake is not listed. I''m pretty sure mine is very old. Is yours a newer copy?

 

[Haven]

Your BF sounds a lot like my FI--a man''s man, sports fan, and definitely not someone who would appreciate a scrapbook or other crafty item.

I''ve talked about this before in threads about traditions with your SO, but my FI appreciated this one gift so much that we''ve made a tradition out of it and have been doing it for over three years. For our first Valentine''s Day, I believe, I wrote him a heartfelt letter. It wasn''t a gushy lovey-dovey love letter, but an honest, sincere, old-fashioned letter telling him why I think he''s so special, why I''m proud to know him, etc. He actually started to tear up when he read it (rare for him) and he got up and walked away from me. I didn''t know he was tearing up at first, and just thought that he hated it! But then he told me how special it was and we''ve been writing letters to each other ever since. I reread them whenever I need a pick-me-up. Or when the sun is shining particularly bright. Or just whenever I feel like it.

Each letter only costs me time, all of which is spent thinking about the man I love and how important he is to me, so well worth it!

 

[door knob solitaire]

Haven that is lovely. Thanks for sharing.

ETA: I just remembered something hubub did for me one Valentines day. He got a package of those cheapo school kid multipack valentine cards...I think there was 50 or 60 cards in the pack. He wrote something special about me on each one. It may be something like best cookie decorator...or most frugal shopper...best tofu hotdog griller...best elaborate gift wrapper and then much more serious things-things that we share in dreams or ideas or interest. I treasured those little cards for years. So one year I bought a pack of thankyou cards...and did pretty much what haven did in one letter, but in a whole pack of reasons why I am thankful to have him. Awhhhhhh. Waaaa I'm gong to cry.

 

[monarch64]

Date: 1/28/2008 12:12:38 PM
Author: EricaR
On our first valentines day I didn''t have a lot of money but I still wanted to do something really cute. I went to the craft store and found some blank jigsaw puzzles. I wrote a note on the puzzle and decorated it with some rubber stamps, then broke apart the pieces. I found a few cute Valentine''s Day cards, filled them out, and put two or three puzzle pieces into each envelope. I met up with one of his co-workers that morning to hand over the cards. His co-workers took turns delivering the cards spread out during the day so he had to wait to assemble all of the pieces until he had received every card.

Such a cool idea!!!!! Thank you for sharing that, EricaR...I''m filing it away in my memory bank for future gifts!

 

[monarch64]

I also really like the baking + only an apron idea....but I woud have to add lingerie and high heels...sorry. *ducks head and squeals with glee*

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/29/2008 12:14:58 AM
Author: monarch64
I also really like the baking + only an apron idea....but I woud have to add lingerie and high heels...sorry. *ducks head and squeals with glee*

Heels work. Skip the lingerie.

I'm just glad some of you appreciated my idea.

 

[door knob solitaire]

Ellen!!! (no longer is this

adequate...this is more appropriate....

)

You are turning our beloved clean G rated PS into parental guidence suggested or worse!

YOU singlehandedly. Tisk tisk tisk. You are skating on thin ice, missy.
One more outburst from you and I might have to press the report button.

OU pearl girl, have you seen the nice respectable warm and fuzzy long sleeved flannel PJ''s from Old Navy? Leave it to me to save this thread from who knows where it was leading. Whew.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/29/2008 12:12:25 PM
Author: door knob solitaire
Ellen!!! (no longer is this

adequate...this is more appropriate....

)

You are turning our beloved clean G rated PS into parental guidence suggested or worse!

YOU singlehandedly. Tisk tisk tisk. You are skating on thin ice, missy.
One more outburst from you and I might have to press the report button.

OU pearl girl, have you seen the nice respectable warm and fuzzy long sleeved flannel PJ''s from Old Navy? Leave it to me to save this thread from who knows where it was leading. Whew.

Ok, I''ll quit. killjoy

 

[OUpearlgirl]

OU pearl girl, have you seen the nice respectable warm and fuzzy long sleeved flannel PJ''s from Old Navy? Leave it to me to save this thread from who knows where it was leading. Whew.

Ahh I am actually wearing a pair right now! This thread is causing me quite a fit of giggles.. It''s a very good thing my bf doesn''t know about this site. A very good thing, indeed.

 

[Independent Gal]

I have a new-ish Joy of Cooking. It''s on pg. 938 of mine.

Here it is - the joy of cake - the best cake EVAH! 1-2-3-4 Yellow Cake:

Ingredients at room temp
Preheat oven to 350 F
Grease and flour 3 x 8 or 9 inch pans

Sift together twice:
2 2/3 cups sifted cake flour
2 1/4 tsp baking pdr
1/2 tsp salt

Combine in another bowl
1 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

In a large bowl (this is bowl 3 now... no skimping on the bowls on this cake)
Beat until creamy 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
Gradually add and beat at high speed until light in colour and texture (3-5 mins)
1 1/2 cups sugar
Beat in 1 at a time
4 large egg YOLKS (ALERT! ALERT don''t throw away the whites, you need those)

Add the flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with the milk mixture in 2 parts, beating on a low speed until smooth and scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary

In another bowl (yes, this is bowl 4, hence the name of the cake) beat the 4 egg whites (see? told you) with 1/4 tsp cream of tartar on mdm spd until soft peaks form
Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar while beating at high speed, then keep beating until stiff (not dry) peaks form
Use a rubber spatula to gradually fold the whites mixture into the yellow mixture

Divide mixture into pans, bake 25-35 mins or until toothpick comes out clean
Cool it!
Frost and / or fill.

 

[Angel7]

Sorry I have no good ideas...but I just wanted to tell Ellen she''s killing me! Love it..too funny!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/29/2008 1:59:16 PM
Author: Angel7
Sorry I have no good ideas...but I just wanted to tell Ellen she''s killing me! Love it..too funny!

Good!

 

[HollyS]

Date: 1/29/2008 8:39:51 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 1/29/2008 12:14:58 AM
Author: monarch64
I also really like the baking + only an apron idea....but I woud have to add lingerie and high heels...sorry. *ducks head and squeals with glee*

Heels work. Skip the lingerie.

I''m just glad some of you appreciated my idea.

You are bawdy, risque, and hilarious! I like that about you!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/29/2008 6:50:59 PM
Author: HollyS

Date: 1/29/2008 8:39:51 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 1/29/2008 12:14:58 AM
Author: monarch64
I also really like the baking + only an apron idea....but I woud have to add lingerie and high heels...sorry. *ducks head and squeals with glee*

Heels work. Skip the lingerie.

I''m just glad some of you appreciated my idea.

You are bawdy, risque, and hilarious! I like that about you!

Why, tank you dahlink.