Check In On Pete

In kind with most people my age... I often don't have a ton of money to lavish my loved ones with gifts... even for special events like their birthdays. So the following is list of a few things that you can do to show that special person just how much they mean to you.... on the CHEAP.

Make your gift(s). Now this seems pretty straight-forward and common, but there are some pitfalls to avoid. First off, if you're gonna make something for her... go ahead and make everything for her... including the cake and dinner. Include a gift of some sort.... something you have a talent for.... make a picture... write her a song.... build her a birdhouse.... write a very special video game starring her.... whatever. Just make sure it represents your VERY BEST work and that it is something SHE will enjoy. If you've done this a few times in the past perhaps its best to forgo your normal homemade gifts and do something different. The point here is to spend time doing something just for her.

Spend time with just her. If you don't have a lot of cash at your disposable... just spending time together at home can be a great way to spend the day. Watch the movies she loves to watch... play a game or do some activity that she's always begging you to do with her. Any way that you choose to do it.... just be sure to make the whole day about HER. Sitting home together, even if your cuddling, and watching your favorite movies while she reads a book isn't at all about her is it? If all else fails and your girl is too social to appreciate being at home with just you... invite some intimate friends over for an impromptu party for some of that homemade cake and dinner you were planning.

Finally, say the shit you never ever say but really should. Actions often speak louder than words, but its my experience is that every girl "likes to hear it once in a while". So let her know how you feel..... bonus points if you can tie in your homemade gift to express how you feel.

So.... to give you an idea.... heres what I planned to do. Keep in mind that my girlfriend and I live together.... and have been together for five years next week. This means we find seemingly strange things to be sensitive or romantic.

1. Baking her a cake.... more of this to come in Part II.

2. Making her a great dinner she will actually ENJOY. Anyone who knows me will know that this requires quite a bit of effort to avoid my normal scientific experimentation in the kitchen and create something edible.

3. Creating a card for her. I can draw... but I've done pics for her in the past.... so this year I'm just gonna draw her card... probably something funny and tied in with another gift....

4. Indenturing myself to her for one week. She won't have to lift a finger to get herself as much as a glass of water this week. Its all about me showing how much all that she does means to me. Also, its a great way to find out.... if you aren't already aware.... how hard your significant other works on their share of the household responsibilities/chores.

5. Finally, as a part of this week long celebration of her birth.... I will bring her home a small gift everyday after work. This may include a ton of her favorite candy.... a book... flowers.... with something biggish on Friday..... which I cant disclose here bc she reads the blog too :P

Sure many of the things in this list are things you should do no matter what time of year it is.... but the fact is that we all get lazy and going to the extreme to cater to the one you love can not only remind you to do these things more often... but also remind you why you do these things in the first place. All in all.... the important thing is that just because you dont have money doesnt mean you can't give something valuable to someone else. The most overlooked, but probably greatest gift of all, is your time.... so spend it on/with someone you love.

Stay tuned for Part II a chronological account of my making a birthday cake for my girlfriend on her special day.

People should read this.