It's the time of year when persons feel the magic of being in love and take February 14 to spoil their special someone with gifts. The traditional Valentine's Day gifts usually include flowers, stuffed toys, lingerie, and candy. The recession is affecting all of us on every level, so I want to give a few tips on how to still show your love without breaking your budget.

Couples

1.Go on a romantic picnic (or just have it in your back-yard). You are going to eat dinner anyway, so instead of trying to get a reservation at a busy, crowded and overpriced restaurant, stay in and have dinner as a picnic. If you don't want to go outside, have a carpet picnic and serve dessert on each other, no plates necessary!

2. Be the gift - Instead of trying to buy the perfect gift, why not be the gift. Give your lover a pedicure or even a massage, it's a great way to spend some intimate time with each other.

3.Go on a trip without a destination - Jump in the car and just let the road take you somewhere. Enjoy the scenic beauty of our island and each other. Don't be afraid to have some sexy fun.

4.Make sexy coupons - The best thing about a gift like this is that it keeps on giving long after the holiday. You decide what is on each coupon for your lover to redeem whenever he/she wants. Just remember to always honour the coupon regardless of when it is submitted to you.

5.Remix something around the house and have some sexy fun - Use your board games and add a sexy element when playing with each other, e.g. play Twister naked. Or have a marathon movie night complete with popcorn and all the snacks. The great thing about movie night at home is that intermission can be sexy too, just have some sexy fun together.

Singles

1.Get gorgeous, get your hair and nails done, put on that outfit that makes you feel great, start with looking good and it will translate to how you feel, notice how many compliments you get. Who knows? You may even meet someone to spend the Valentine's Day with.

2.Have a games night at home with your other single friends, each friend bring another single friend of the opposite sex and something to eat and drink. This can turn into a great party and you get to meet some new singles.

3.Give yourself some love, start the day off with an orgasm, it will lift your spirits for the busy day you have ahead and help you have a great day.

4.Grab your friends and go out, especially to Lipsticks and Lollipops at the Wyndham, 18th floor, you can meet other single people and even make a connection. Call 824-4914 for tickets.

5.Buy yourself something you really enjoy, a favourite meal, CD, movie, outfit. In this economic climate, many persons don't treat themselves very often because of other responsibilities. Take this opportunity to give yourself an indulgence and still stay within your budget.

May persons do not celebrate Valentine's Day for various reasons, but I think it's great to have a day to remind you to do something special for the ones you care about. Do not let this be the only time you do this, however, always try to let the persons you love know they are special to you as often as you can. In the meantime, have a very sexy Valentine's Day and don't be afraid to have fun. ween us. I really enjoyed our weekend together, but want my friend back. How can I fix this so we can go back to how it was before we saw each other naked?

Brenda, Ocho Rios

Dear Brenda,

This is a tricky one because, as much as you want it, you may not ever get back to exactly how you were before this incident. I would advise you to talk to your friend. Be honest with your feelings and also be sensitive to the fact that he may not feel the same way you do. In any case, it's better to deal with the facts. It is possible for you to move on from this, but it will take some time. Hope it works out for you.

Stay sexy,

Shelly