1. Get creative when it comes to dinner: You really don’t have to spend a lot on a romantic dinner at a restaurant. Why not have a nice candlelit dinner at home? You could even get all dressed up for it. If you know you’re going to be too tired to cook after work on Valentine’s Day, which falls on a Tuesday this year, order a special meal ahead of time and pick it up on your way home.

2. Enjoy a little ambiance: If you both really want to go out on the town together, you could have coffee or a drink and dessert at an expensive café, restaurant or romantic bistro. This is a way to savor the atmosphere — and your date — without emptying your wallet.

3. Seek out some silence: Here’s a potential date idea if you’ve both been stressed out lately: You could wander through bookstores with coffee shops that encourage browsing. Rediscover passages you love from your favorite books, and enjoy the quiet.

4. Have low-cost fun with food on Feb 14: You can pull out the cookie cutters and make heart-shaped cookies and even cut your lunch sandwiches into hearts. You also can make heart-shaped cupcakes by placing a marble inside each muffin tin on the outside of the paper cupcake cup.

5. Give thoughtful gifts: Most people stick to the same general gift themes on Valentine’s Day: flowers, chocolates, cards, maybe a piece of jewelry. Can you think of something different that might mean a whole lot more — and maybe even cost a whole lot less? Such gifts could include room made goodies or gift certificates for your services. The gift certificate idea might be just the ticket for you if you’re short on cash but high on love this Valentine’s Day. You could offer to run errands for your loved one, make a nice dinner, clean the house, repair the car or give a massage.

6. Reflect on that flower purchase: If you’re sure your special someone will be devastated without the gift of flowers, then you probably should get some. But once again, you don’t have to follow the herd. Everyone opts for roses at this time of year, but there are plenty of other gorgeous and neglected (i.e., less expensive) flower varieties to choose from. And red isn’t your only option, either. You also could choose peach, pink or yellow. What’s more, if you place your flower order early, you stand to save on your purchase. And here’s another detail to consider: Does your partner love to garden? If so, a beautiful outdoor plant that will keep on living might be more appropriate than cut flowers that will quickly fade.

7. Write down how you feel: Using any kind of paper — you could write out dozens of reasons why you love your partner. Leave the messages all over the house, in both noticeable and hidden-away places. This is a gift that could keep on giving for weeks or months to come.

8. A romantic getaway: Not the kind that costs a fortune! Instead, wow your Valentine by taking them to the first place you had a date, or the place you had your first kiss. If this isn’t possible due to geographic issues, recreate your first date, rent the first movie you saw together. This is for the creative minded and it will impress your guy/gal.

9. Plan ahead for next year: If Valentine’s Day is a holiday that matters to you and your significant other, make a mental note of how quickly it can sneak up on you after the big holidays in December. Think about realistic ways you can cut back on your spending so you’ll be able to use cash to cover Valentine’s Day without relying on credit cards and going into debt.

2. Take many pictures: The most important thing to keep in mind when photographing groups and families is to take many pictures in order to ensure the highest number of shots that you are happy with. Work quickly so as to keep the experience fun.

3. Shoot first, ask questions later: Be ready to press that shutter button at a moment’s notice in order to capture those fleeting special moments.

4. Don’t use a flash indoors where possible: Although the flash can be a real lifesaver, the burst of artificial light can cause harsh, flat light that is not complimentary to the subject. Where possible use naturally lit areas, or if taking pictures at night turn on indoor lighting to reduce red eye and harsh flashed-out subjects.

5. Use a flash outdoors: Even in bright sunlight, forcing your flash to fire can often mean the difference between a so-so snapshot and an eye-grabbing masterpiece. The reason is that this kind of bright day flash will fill in the shadows and even out harsh contrasts.

6. Look for reflections: One of the quickest and easiest ways to add an artistic touch to your holiday photos is to focus on capturing reflections rather than the object itself. Simply keep an eye out for interesting splashes of colour reflected from Christmas lights and other holiday decorations.

7. Blur and zoom those Christmas lights: Try something new, set your camera to a slower shutter speed then purposefully move the camera while taking the picture. The idea is to blur the colourful Christmas lights.

For the zooming effect to look clean, you will want to mount your camera on a tripod to restrict movement while you zoom in or out during exposure.

8. Give the gift of a photo: A family photo is appreciated by all especially parents and grandparents.

9. Plan ahead: Charge batteries and clear memory cards or buy film to ensure you don’t miss any priceless moments with those you love.