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It’s not easy being romantic, especially in today’s climate of watching the pennies and counting the cost.

But showing how much you care for someone doesn’t have to cost the earth. In fact, whether you’re tentatively setting out in to the world of dating or immersed in a full-blown relationship, there are lots of ways to display your sentimental side without even opening your wallet.

So there’s no longer any excuse for only buying the love of your life a bunch of flowers on Valentine’s Day. Now you can do something all year round without being in constant fear of a rapidly diminishing bank balance.

Here are few ideas to keep the romance alive – cut the cost, not the love.

Write a love poem

You don’t have to be Wordsworth of Byron, but penning a romantic stanza or two is a sure-fire way to add a bit of sparkle.

CD compilation

Forget forking out fifteen quid at HMV- make your own CD. Every relationship has a song that means something. If music be the food of love, play on.

Cook a meal

And on the subject of food…there’s nothing that gets the amorous juices flowing more than showing her how handy you are in the kitchen.

Send a romantic text/email

You can’t be with someone 24/7 but you can send them regular reminders of how much you care.

Kiss her Unexpectedly

Be spontaneous and give your partner an unexpected smooch.

Devote a day to whatever she wants

Clear your diary and treat your partner to a day of whatever she wants – altruism and romanticism personified.

Valentine all year round

Whether it’s a box of chocolates here or a bunch of flowers there, the spirit of St Valentine needn’t be relegated to one day of the year.

Take an interest

Obvious, yes, but one of the most neglected. It’s easy to get blasé and apathetic with a partner. So take an interest in their interests and pay attention.

Watch a romantic movie

Cinema has always been a reliable purveyor or love and romance. From Brief Encounter to Bridget Jones, there’s no shortage of movies to snuggle up to.

Have a picnic

Pack some sandwiches, chocolate and bottle of wine and head for a quite, secluded spot. If you’ve written your poem, read that to her as well!

Walk and talk

The local park or beach are great places to stroll and chat – walk along hand-in-hand having a good old natter (conversation is, after all, the key to a healthy relationship). You don’t have to discuss the mysteries of the universe or training and conference venues Staffordshire – just being in each other’s company talking about everyday things is he backbone of most relationships.

What cheap and cheerful things do you do to keep the sparkle and romance in your relationship?

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James Duval is an IT specialist who lives in Manchester.  When you can prise him away from his Xbox you can find him enjoying his other passions – cruising on his motorbike in an endless quest   to find the best gig and pubs across the country. He regularly writes for Keel e Conferences amongst others.

Plucking up the courage to engage a person in conversation can certainly cause a bit of anxiety, and while there is a certain distance that is necessary in the early stages of online dating, sending that first message can be just as nerve wracking as if you were speaking to the person face to face. The is of course because in either case you are making yourself vulnerable to another person, opening yourself up to either their openness or rejection, and it is that possible rejection that we are all terrified of. One of the consolations must surely be that we are all in the same position, all nervous, all sacred of rejection, but the only way to move forward is to act through the nerves and have courage to send that person you fancy a message.

While it may not seem simple, and anyone who has had to make this first step knows it isn’t, it is the necessary step to make. If you don’t send that first message then you may not send the next one. It may seem strange but you can use the distance created by the online setting to give yourself more courage. Perhaps you could compare it to what it would feel like approaching someone in person, once you realise that the computer offers you the protection of distance, it may be easier to gather your courage and send that message.

Once you send the message, the excitement of waiting for a response sets in. As with most new experiences it is the first moves you make that can determine how the rest pans out, but at the end of the day it is making the choice to take that first step that is both the most difficult and potentially the most rewarding. Courage is not the absence of fear, but acting in spite of it, rising above it and acting anyway. So the anxiety of sending that first message is totally normal, just remember to send it anyway.

What constitutes a good picture?

Some people choose not to upload a picture to their dating profile, but this is a huge mistake as the majority of users will skip past a profile with zero pictures, no matter how interesting the description might be. Basically we are a shallow bunch, so even if you think you are not photogenic, find a halfway decent picture and upload it!

Although uploading a picture is always preferable to leaving that part of your profile blank, it is possible to choose the wrong picture and put off potential dates before you get the opportunity to dazzle them with your sense of humour.

Examples of a bad picture:

1. Out of focus or blurry – there is really no excuse for this kind of rubbish picture, so avoid webcam snaps.

2. Long distance photos where you are but a speck on the horizon – you may as well not bother if this is the only picture you have!

3. Pictures of you in a crowd or with a family group – dates want to see what you look like, so if they are unable to work out who’s who, they will probably move on to the next profile.

4. Photos of you with your kids – never post pictures of your kids on a dating profile. Not everyone on a dating website is full of good intentions.

5. Gratuitous nudity – setting your stall out too early is a recipe for disaster and will only attract the wrong kind of potential date.

6. Photos of you partying hard or seriously drunk – there is nothing wrong with showing off your “fun” side, but some potential dates might be put off if they suspect you are in the pub every night.

7. Out of date pictures – lots of people lie about their appearance on dating sites. They claim to be ten years younger, slim, and hot, whereas they are really ten years older, overweight, and deeply unattractive. The trouble is, as soon as you actually meet up, the other person feels justifiably cheated. So be honest about your appearance and post a recent picture!

8. If you have any unsavoury hobbies, avoid drawing attention to them in your profile pictures. Examples include blood sports and collecting guns.

First of all, and this is probably the biggest error people make, you should never underestimate the importance of communication. Many people don’t exchange or share with their partners, resulting in frustration and misunderstandings. Women are famous for playing the assumption game, expecting men to guess what is on their mind and getting angry when they don’t. Communication is key and will prevent many headaches and heartaches! Always be clear about what you think and how you feel, so that your partner never has to wonder what is going on and why you are sulking and giving them the silent treatment.

Another mistake that often poisons relationships is extreme jealousy. Projecting a lack of trust will never lead to positive results, as it creates tension between partners. Insecurities are often the consequence of childhood drama or previous experiences and it is not easy to get rid of them, but it is necessary to work on them and learn to trust people more. This doesn’t mean reaching the other end of the spectrum and have blind faith in everyone, but at least give your lover a chance to prove they are worthy and reliable. Giving them some space and not questioning their every move will make it much easier for everyone.

Finally, what some people tend to do is pretend to be someone they are not, in hopes of pleasing their partner. In the same way as you should never try to change people, it is extremely important to be yourself and have people love you for who you are, not who they want you to be. Honesty is key in any relationship, as it provides a solid foundation to build on. Pretence is not only exhausting, when you are constantly trying to stick to some superficial standards, but it also leads to disappointment when you are tired of playing and show your true colours.

How to handle online rejection

Rejection, however it happens, can be very hard to take especially if you were hoping that the relationship would go further. However, everyone will suffer rejection at some point in their life and the secret is to accept it without bitterness and move on. This also applies when initially searching for an online date. If you contact someone and they do not respond or block you, don’t persist in pursuing it but have a look around the site to find someone else who you could potentially meet. In fact, persistent ‘chasing’ of a person on a site could be perceived as stalking which is likely to get you banned from the site, and with new laws coming into place, could even bring you into trouble with the law.

If you find that it is you are getting too many rejections, then it is worth taking a look at your profile. Is it perhaps a bit empty? Could your passionate interest in camel racing perhaps deter most women? And perhaps the photograph of you drunk on holiday isn’t putting over the best side of you. Stand back a little and try to view your profile as others would.

How to reject others

There is a tendency, when dating online; to consider the other party as just being ‘online’, however, at the other end of the computer is a real human being with real feelings. So, just as you would decline a relationship with someone in real life, you should do likewise with an online date. Take their feelings into consideration and let them down gently and, where possible, offer positive reasons in order to make them feel good about themselves. For example, a little white lie such as “I think you’re really cute but I have actually met someone here already” will allow you to reject someone but without putting the hurt onto them.

Whatever you do though, be nice, both to the other party, and, if it is you that is being rejected, be nice to yourself too and don’t give yourself a hard time.

Before your date, spend some time talking on the phone or online to get familiar with each other’s personalities. Keep the conversation light and positive. Having previous conversations before the date relieves some of the pressure to find topics to discuss. Use good communication and listen carefully when the other person is speaking. Ask questions to show your interest. Body language says a lot during a conversation. Look your date in the eye and lean toward her, showing that you really want to learn more about her life.

Decide beforehand if you and your date will ride to the venue together or separately. Do what makes you feel comfortable. Choose a casual venue with a comfortable atmosphere, like a sporting event, bowling or a picnic in the park. The activity should be one that both you and your date are interested in. If you have future dates, take turns deciding the activities. Dress appropriately to participate in an activity like rock climbing.

Take a change of clothes if you go to a more intimate dinner afterwards. By changing clothes, your date will see your casual personality as well as how you “clean up.” It’s like “two for the price of one.” The person who initiated the date should feel obligated to pay for dinner and other activities. If your date is adamant about going dutch, this should be discussed before the date to avoid an awkward situation of trying to decide when the check comes.

To kiss or not to kiss? That is the question. During the course of the date, you will know if there are any sparks. It could just be too early to tell. A hug or peck on the cheek is always a safe option. It takes the pressure off and provides a hint of mystery and anticipation for the next date, if there is one. You might make plans to see each other again or decide that you had fun and decide to move on.

Happy Dating!

First, keep things fun. You don’t want to lie to the other member and say that you are only interested in fun if you’re not. But every step in the process of meeting someone should be fun, including flirtation. To keep the flirtation fun, approach the other member with a light-hearted conversation, and smile while you’re typing. Discuss something that you’re interested in, perhaps something that you have in common on your profiles.

If it makes you nervous to flirt, try approaching it from a different angle than you’ve done before, but don’t give the impression that you’re someone you’re not. For example, if you usually get nervous because you run out of things to say, or you run out of things to say because you get nervous, approach the conversation with one or two topics to bring up and use wait time. Discuss something and then give the other member time to respond with his/her own thoughts. You may be surprised by the direction the conversation will go. You don’t have to sustain the conversation all on your own.  Also, be prepared with a polite goodbye. If the conversation does die, just excuse yourself politely.

Also, use language that sounds like you. This way if you do wind up meeting this member it will feel like you already know each other because there won’t be a big change in your speech patterns. This makes you more personable and it also makes it more likely that the other member will respond to you because you sound like a real person.

Remember, flirtation is all about forming a quick connection in a fun but genuine way. Try something like this, “Hi! Wow, I love your profile picture. That look of your face makes it seem like you’re really enjoying yourself. What were you doing when you took this picture?!?!…”

St. Valentine’s Day

The best UK dating sites allow a person to find his or her compatible other. It is truly simple to find another person on these UK online dating sites to enjoy Valentine’s Day with. Many people are looking for that one other person to share this incredible holiday with, and that person could be you! There are thousands of singles out there looking for passion and romance, and no one should miss out on this great opportunity to meet another amazing person.

People of all ages can find a quality person over the internet. People in their 50′s can use the best UK dating sites to find a significant other or simply a good companion. Many people use dating sites for casual dating, just to go out and have a good time with another person. Other people are truly blessed in using these sites and can end up marrying the soul mate of their life by using online dating sites!

This Valentine’s Day, why not see what is out there and find one’s potential mate for companionship or marriage? By trying out online dating, one may be able to have the best date of his or her life on Valentine’s Day. A person may be able to dine at a fine restaurant or go on a more adventurous date, such as hiking through the woods. It really is up to two people to find a date that works for them, whether it is grabbing a simple cup of coffee to say “hello” or going to a dinner and movie on Valentine’s Day. If one wants, one can even go on multiple dates on Valentine’s Day! For singles out there, grabbing a cup of coffee with a couple of people and meeting up for dinner with another has never been easier. One has so many options opened up to him or her through the wonderful world of UK online dating.

To find a romantic interest and some passion this upcoming Valentine’s Day, using the best UK dating sites is truly a great idea!

Fortunately, there are many online dating UK sites that can help you find someone special for Christmas. Whether you’re looking for a long-term relationship or something fun and carefree, online dating is the most rewarding experience. Best of all, nothing can stand in your way of meeting that special someone. Perhaps you’re working more hours with the upcoming holiday, or maybe you’re limited on cash. Both of these obstacles become trivial when signing up with the best UK dating sites.

With online dating, you can make your own schedule, which means there’s no right or wrong time to meet someone. So instead of trying to make it to the club on the weekends, or attempt to plan a dinner date, arrange to meet someone special on your own time. And, if Christmas presents are taking a toll on your finances, using online dating UK sites is your best option. Instead of having to take numerous dates out, you can engage in conversations with others right from the convenience of your own home. When you finally want to set up that special date, you’ll know it’s worth every penny.

Choosing the best UK dating sites may seem challenging, but each one has something different to offer. Research how much the site will cost, as many claim to be free, but will actually charge for retrieving certain information. To be on the safe side, look for online dating sites that have an all-inclusive membership price. Also look to see how many people use the site, as well as any information regarding successful matches. To help you decide, see if you can enjoy a free trial before signing up.

This Christmas, enjoy the perks of being in a relationship and having someone special to share the holiday with. Instead of worrying about being alone, do something about it and hop onto a UK dating site where there are plenty of people waiting to meet you; waiting to be your companion this holiday season.

However, look at it in reverse. If your friend were to tell you he was in love with you and you didn’t reciprocate the feelings, would you throw out the baby with the bathwater? Of course not. Instead, you’d do your best to re-assure the friend that you loved them but just not in that way. It might be awkward for a little while, but ultimately, your friendship would continue.

Before you break the news to your friend, you want to lay the ground work before breaking the upcoming news. Do some semi-romantic things for them that you might not have done in the past. For example, invite them over for dinner and do the cooking yourself. Suggest a walk after dinner and talk about more in depth topics like your hopes and dreams for the future. Encourage them to talk about theirs too so that you know if you’re compatible in your desires for the future.

The next step is to let your friend know how you feel about them. No, you don’t want to do it in a casual way or jokingly. They may not get the hint. Take some time when the two of you are alone and in private to tell them how over time your feelings have changed. Tell them you’ve suddenly begun to see them in a different light and could see a romantic future for the two of you, if they might feel the same way.

Then, you need to back off and give your friend some time to digest what you’ve just told them. Don’t push them or make them feel like you need to have an answer immediately. They may never have considered the proposition before and may just need to evaluate their own feelings a bit. Don’t take their silence as a no. Just respect their decision making time.

Regardless of what happens, you have nothing to lose by telling your best friend your feelings and everything to gain.