Think outside the chocolate box for Valentine’s Day gifts

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the next few days will surely be fraught with preparations for Sweethearts, Pumpkins, Honey-Bunches and the like.

As self-appointed president of the CFCSA (Central Florida Cheap Student Association), I figured there’s no time like the present to tackle that pesky gift-giving dilemma: How to keep your non-existent Valentine’s Day budget in check.

Let that special someone know just how much you care with the following gift ideas:

1. Car clean-out, wash, detail: Perfect for the love with a full load or busy schedule.

This could mean a visit to the car wash, or imagine the fun of creating your own steamy car-wash scene.

I’m thinking white tank top, lots of water, bubbles … need I say more?

2. A spotless house: Who wouldn’t want his or her sweetie showing up scantily clad and bent over, scrubbing the floor in a little French maid outfit or English butler bow tie? Turn up the heat with a few steamy foreign phrases and an accent and watch the scene unfold.

3. Stock the iPod: Dating a lover of literature or an avid reader? Borrow the mp3 player and stock it with a few free podcasts from LearnOutLoud.com.

For example, set the mood with the short story “Young Goodman Brown,” by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

There is nothing like a little classic subtle sexuality, and Hawthorne’s about as subtle as a train wreck.

For extra points, locate a copy of a syllabus for a course he or she is taking and try to find copies of any books or stories required for that course.

4. Make a mix-tape: Remember making mix-tapes in high school, or am I totally dating myself here?

For some serious old-school appeal, create a mix-tape with artists similar to your valentine’s favorites.

Suggestion: With romance in mind, avoid death metal, gangsta rap and Yanni. Rent a copy of Say Anything with John Cusack and re-enact the famous boombox scene.

Now, you might be saying, “But I got the coin, and I wanna spend it!”

That’s fabulous! What’s your number? I’ve been looking for a personal Botox fairy.

All kidding aside, whether you have the bucks, bringing your “A-game” into the love realm requires thinking outside of the box.

If you really want to see your stock value soar, it’s the little things that make us gush.

Show your creativity, your passion and that you pay attention. Don’t just rely on spending the dough to raise your stock.

Here’s to you, Valentine.