Valentine's Day is one that consists of doing the things you and your loved one enjoy doing.

We often put so much time and effort into a day like this one, that we end up being disappointed or spending so much money that our budget is shot for the next two weeks. This is the time to do something you really enjoy, whether it's spending the evening at home and eating in or going to a restaurant.

Are you going out? Choose the restaurant because of its ambiance and good food, not because your friend went and returned saying that it was the new "in spot."

If you are staying in make sure you have all of the essentials you need. For me this would include good snack food, wine and rented movies or something from my own collection. You can rent the movie you have wanted to see, but did not. If you are looking for Valentine's Day movies Pretty Woman starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, immediately comes to mind but there are two romantic comedy's from the 1960's that are just perfect for this day. They are Barefoot In The Park and Sunday In New York; coincidentally Jane Fonda has the starring role in both movies. They are so wonderfully innocent, and Sunday In New York shows New York sights that are long since gone. However these are 'chick flicks' so choose something you both enjoy. Men get special points if they watch these movies. My friend once received huge points for watching The Women, a 1930's black and white film with nary a male in sight. I received no points because I fell asleep during the movie Dune. If you and your honey are of a certain age and not interested in watching young beauties on screen, I suggest two more recent fun movies made for the older set, Something's Gotta Give starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton or it's Complicated with Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. Bring either one of these movies home and have a wonderful time. These romantic movies are not bona fide chick flicks because two of the men are over-the-top rascally, however the remaining one is a smart guy with a tender heart; all are smart, strong, good looking men who won't embarrass him. With these two movies middle age never looked so good.

Your staying in dinner need not be spectacular, just special for the two of you. Being comfortable with your food, be it eating canned stew or ordering in, is the key to a perfect meal. If you cook, make something simple like baked chicken with wild rice and steamed green beans. Serve sliced tomatoes and cucumbers as a side dish. Pound cake and vanilla ice cream make a nice simple dessert. A little chocolate sauce couldn't hurt. These are my ideas, but you get the picture.

The thing to remember is this--special time means not taking telephone calls from long-winded friends or dashing out to see Moe's new car. If this is to be your special time, make it so and enjoy your day or evening.