romantic gestures - on a budget

gazebo

ok, so here's the deal.

Apparently I really don't have any romance in me, I'm just not the romantic type.

My long suffering partner has asked for me to add a little more romance into our relationship, and to be honest I'm stuck for ideas.

I run her a bath, I make her cups of tea, I read to her, I rub her shoulders and feet etc, but apparently these things are not quite what she's after.

So, what would constitute a romantic gesture to you and is it something I can try with my other half?

Cheers

gratefulforhelp_2

Flowers? Chocolates? A book she'd like? A CD? Turning the TV off and talking to her? A walk? Tell her she looks good/you love her/you're glad she's there?

shell_girl

My OH is also 'romantically challenged'!!

It sounds as if you're doing lots of things already that show you care. Sometimes it's about the unexpected rather than the flashy.

If you both have mobiles, send her a text now and again for no reason at all other than to say something nice. Emails are even cheaper, but you could go the whole hog and leave her a little note somewhere she's not expecting it- ie in her packed lunch, folded up in her purse, inside the book she's reading...

Try and keep it real though- don't be pushed into making gestures and doing things that just aren't 'you'.

gazebo

see all of these suggestions are good, but in my mind they are things I already do.

Romantically challenged - I like that phrase :rotfl:

Chakani

A friend of mine who excels in the romance department, when sent out to buy eggs, replaced one with a Kinder egg - love note tucked underneath, of course.

Buy her an unexpected bar of chocolate or occasional bunch of flowers (maybe even arrange them in a vase so they are waiting for her when she comes home, it'll make them look more expensive too - I have some gorgeous Gladioli at the moment that are in season so on offer in all the supermarkets, tall green spires that bloom into huge exotic flowers, great value for £2 in Sainsburys this week), leave her little notes where she will find them.

Cook dinner and get some candles on the table (and wash up!)

Buy her a hat and gloves (again, a couple of pounds from a supermarket) and wrap them up, ribbon and everything, take a big flask of yummy homemade soup, or mulled wine, and take her to watch the fireworks on bonfire night - nothing better than being snuggled up and feeling cherished.

pinkclouds

Flowers (as little as 2 or 3 pounds from the supermarket), randomly doing one of her chores (without being asked) so she has less housework occasionally, hugs which don't lead to anything else (if you know what I mean), taking her shopping without asking "what do you need to buy" or "where shall we go next" or "have you finished yet" (go have a coffee somewhere in the mall and wait for her to phone you).

Tbh, I hate baths and massages so I don't think I have a lot in common with your OH. Can you ask her outright what she would like or is part of the romance deal to come up with something on your own?

Chakani

shell_girl wrote: »

My OH is also 'romantically challenged'!!

It sounds as if you're doing lots of things already that show you care. Sometimes it's about the unexpected rather than the flashy.

I think Shellgirl has hit the nail on the head, it's things that are unexpected, nice little surprises.

My OH is much the same, loving and thoughtful, but as spontaneous and romantic as a pebble! I have long accepted that that's just the way he is, and I should just buy my own flowers, but would absolutely love it if he did.

gazebo

again, loving the spontaneous and romantic as a pebble

Good ideas though and I shall be working some of these into my everyday life

thank you :T

ailuro2

leave her a note in her packed lunch, light some candles round the bath and go and leave her in peace for half an hour while you make dinner?

Love doesn't have to be about romance - my DH isn't very romantic at all, but neither am I so I don't really mind. We're a finely matched pair, and that's what matters!

Red_Doe

I`m lucky, my fiance is wonderfully romantic.
He will take our dog for a walk and return, handing me a picked flower, like a forget-me-not, or a shell he found on the beach he thought I`d like.
Or he`ll surprise me by cooking lunch.
Or a pretty card will come through the post, with romantic words hand written on it.

[Deleted User]

gazebo wrote: »

ok, so here's the deal.

Apparently I really don't have any romance in me, I'm just not the romantic type.

My long suffering partner has asked for me to add a little more romance into our relationship, and to be honest I'm stuck for ideas.

I run her a bath, I make her cups of tea, I read to her, I rub her shoulders and feet etc, but apparently these things are not quite what she's after.

So, what would constitute a romantic gesture to you and is it something I can try with my other half?

Cheers

I think you are doing fab all ready - my husband also does the cup of tea, making me hot water bottles, brushing my hair sort of thingies and I really do appreciate these things.

- However, how leaving a trail of paper hearts leading into the kitchen and to a small box of luxury chocs?
- Notes in her work bag / lunchbox
- A flower on her pillow when she goes to bed a night
- Arranging a night out for her and her best mate as a suprise and being the taxi for the night (might be difficult if you have kids)
- Make a posh picnic and go to the seaside / local park (if you are not so great at cooking then ask a friend to help)
- Hide small cheap gifts around the house and create a treasure hunt. Gifts can just be her favourite bar of chocolate etc.
- Make a mix tape (ipod list nowadays) of her favourite music

Hope these suggestions help.