Watch Louise on NE Cable News showing just some of the
FRUGAL, QUIRKY VALENTINES GIFTS she found. There's even more below!

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Frugal, quirky Valentine gifts are always memorable.

The Frugal Yankee has done the research and found some frugal, quirky ideas for Valentines gifts. With few bargains on fine chocolates or red roses, the Frugal Yankee approach reminds everyone, it is the thought that counts, especially if it reveals a lot of thought. A frugal, quirky Valentine gift shows love that goes beyond the wallet.

@ ALMOST NO COST

ONE PERFECT RED NOSE. Yes, nose. In the best handwriting, pen a note that says "The classic symbol of romantic love is one perfect red rose, but for us the nose knows." In a beautifully wrapped box is a red plastic clown's nose. Splurge, make it a dozen red noses.

MAKE A TRADITIONAL SHADOWBOX with reminders of the past year: photos, ticket stubs, bits of maps, seashells.

HOMEMADE GIFT CERTIFICATES It can be anything from a FOOT RUB certificate to an "I'LL COOK DINNER" pledge. Add a graphic, print it up and make the Valentines Day baby smile.

A YouTube VIDEO Imagine the reaction when your sweetie sees a link to a video. On the video is her Romeo telling the world why she's special.

50 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT YOU . Write them on a poster, in a journal, or on Post-Its all over the kitchen. For the chronologically impaired 10 THINGS would be easier and shorter to do, but 50 THINGS is very impressive.

Not ready for the DIY approach? Get the imagination in gear. Spend time looking for that great idea. For unique, handmade gifts, shop at ETSY.COM, CRAFTSU.COM and BEST AMERICAN ARTS.COM.

Check out MILO.COM, a free website that finds sought after products online with connections to buy it locally.

TRADITION WITH A TWIST
Start with the old stand-bys, but give them a twist

Buy a nice bottle of wine, then add a HAND BLOWN, HAND PAINTED WINE GLASS. There are lots of designs for $20. Until 3/31/2010, take a 15% Frugal Yankee discount off. Use code Luckyme.

Truffles are one of the nicest ways to eat chocolate. With a truffle kit, the romantic couple can have fun making them and then eating them. No great cooking skills needed. DARK CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT TRUFFLE MIX, $8.

Gift certificates – whether homemade (see above), or from a restaurant, or something else, a thoughtful one works. Make it better by finding a unique presentation. TEDDY WITH A MESSAGE in a bottle ($20) is one way to go.

A steamy novel can set the mood, except this baby is about the two of you! It includes name, address, and other specifics. Level of steaminess ranges from mild to smoking! Another option is much more classic. Put friends and family in "Pride and Prejudice", "Tom Sawyer", "Dracula", or others. $22-$40

HAND CRAFTED PURSE made from recycled fabrics. Instead of a store bought, made who knows where, look for one-of-a-kind, bags from local craftsmen like ALTON BAY CRAFTS. Each bag includes a tag that tells what this item was in a past life, maybe a Hawaiian shirt, a tablecloth, or even drapes. $16-35.

SOAPS & LOTIONS are excellent choices. Every Juliet wants to smell nice for her Romeo. Finding a lovely scent that is fun looking adds to the pleasure, for example
Goat Milk Soap shaped in VALENTINE HEARTS 3/$12.

Or consider other types of scented soaps from SUDZNBUBBLES.COM, $5-8 each

A SCANDLE is candle made of skin lotion. It burns at a low temperature, warming the lotion to create a warm, soft luxurious lotion. $13-$23.

Sugar scrubs are used as exfoliants. It'll make one smell good enough to . . . never mind. There's HOT CHOCOLATE SUGAR SCRUB ($14) at Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreen, and the like.

One Valentines Day tradition everyone knows is jewelry, but with budgets and the economy the way they are, splurging on gold & diamonds is difficult, instead try....

A HEART CHARM BRACELET . Old fashioned and funky, $25.

Find a BOX PENDANT and include your own message, $15,

Select a PERSONALIZED CHARM for a necklace or bracelet. Inexpensive and thoughtful at only $2.50 each.

For a bit of splurge, try CLASSIC EARRINGS. They come in great colors, $65.

MANLY MEN
Soap – ENGLISH LEATHER is a traditional masculine scent, $4.75.

Before the BBQ master throws that hunk-o-meat onto the grill, he can mark it. Is it venison? Is it rare or well done? GRILL CHARMS answer these questions and come in lots of designs. $4/each, set of 6, $20.

Another possibility, give GRILL TOPPERS . These branding irons enhance steak, burgers & chicken. They even have some designed for sausage or hot dogs, $19.

Looking to impart some instruction to the male of the house? Perhaps, taking the garbage out, or dressing better? Try TRAINING TREATS to reinforce good behavior, $12.

4 the MOM-TO-BE or NEW MOM

FLOATING BABY© T-SHIRT are fun gifts which will give everyone a laugh for a least nine months ($39) Discount for Frugal Yankees until Feb 14: use coupon code Frugal20 for a 20% discount.

What baby doesn't chew on the jewelry? Give new moms and dads bracelets or pendants that double as teething rings. TEETHING BLING comes in lots of styles and colors, $12-$20.

4 TECHIES

The world’s cutest 2GB USB DRIVES, $25.

For the cell phone addict, give them a cozy gift, MOCKS – MOBILE SOCKS, $8.

For the on the go audiophile, music on the go will have new meaning with SPEAKERS IN A BOX , lightweight, foldable, made of recycled materials, and only $15.

Nerds need love too. So for the computer addict in need of something more than mouse envy, check out the ROMANTIC COMPUTER MOUSE, $20

How often does this happen? The romantic couple wants to take a snap shot of themselves together, but there is no one there to help? The X SHOT solves the problem, $25-30.

QUIRKY GIFTS FOR THE TECHNO-PHOBE
Is This Thing On?: A Late Bloomer's Computer Handbook, $11.50

Old fashioned means of communication good enough? Have a thing for Sharpies, but perhaps they are a bit declassé? The SHERPA, an enclosure for that Sharpie, can be found online or at Burlington Mall, $30.

ROMANTIC – WITH A TWIST

Make that someone special a star! Put them on a MAGAZINE COVER. There are lots of titles to choose from. Simply provide a photo and write the headline. HINT: Make it celebrate something special in your relationship. Starts at $13.

Moving into the bedroom, how about PILLOWCASES with designs both naughty and nice, $27

It seems everyone is getting 'tooed' these days. Find personalized ones suitable walls, cars, whatever at UBERTATTS $5-$30

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AT HOME: Learn to Rub People the RIGHT Way!, this DVD holds a lot of promise! $25

ONE LAST DANCE: It's Never Too Late To Fall In Love, romantic story about two people over 75 and their romance, $18

MONDAY HEARTS FOR MADALENE, a beautiful little book, $11.50

For the right person a unique Valentines Gift is a RECYCLED GLASS LAVENDER HEART. Use it as a paperweight or just set it on a window sill or shelf, $20

JUST PLAIN QUIRKY

101 RECIPES FOR MICROWAVE MUG CAKES: Single-Serving Snacks in Less Than 10 Minutes, include a nice big mug with this book, $11.50

SPICE & ICE, 60 tongue-tingling cocktails. Let the party begin! $11.50

SOCK GRAM is a packaged gift with a card, funky socks, and a treat, $9-12/pair

Bracelet? Yes. But it's also a CLIPA. It's designed to hang handbags from the table and keep off the floor, $20

Always misplacing lip gloss? With YOYO LIP GLOSS, it will never be lost again, $3

FAIRY HOUSE....EVERYWHERE! . Did you know that Maine is a hotbed of Fairy Houses? $10

More soap - this time with duckies They even have valentine ducks, $6.50

PET OWNERS

Pet lovers are a special breed. Consider aPAW PENDANT, with birthstone either the owner's or the puppy's, $35

FUR SHUI: An Introduction to Animal Feng Shui. Hmmmm. $11

ACTIVISTS
Activists rarely want gifts, quirky or otherwise, but everyone appreciates something that also supports a cause. Here are few ideas.

PAPER TABLEWARE assists women undergoing breast cancer treatment. Complete party set, $20 Discount to Frugal Yankees: spend at least $25, use code SAVEME10 at check out to save 10%

TEES 4 A CAUSE. Each design supports a specific local effort. This one helps rebuild bikes to give to people in St Augustine who need a way to get around, $25
(To find more places that sell tee shirts & donates money to good causes, simply Google "Tee Shirts for a cause.")

For the recycler, patch reuse tshirts are made from promotional tshirts that were headed for the shredder. You get to complete the message. $12

Great bags, developed by Alicia Silverstone, animal welfare and environmental activist, including COSMETIC BAG $15, 5 PIECE BRUSH SET w/BAG15, and OVERNIGHT BAG $25

TEA LOVER
TEA WALLET, with a tin for your tea and filters. Add a package of a favorite tea, $25

Made from black tea, liquorice, spices & pink pepper SWEET LOVE TEA comes from the famed Parisian Kusmi Tea Co., now in North America, $13

Unsure exactly what tea to buy? Then splurge on the ROMANCE TEA SET that includes big tins of 3 premium teas and an infuser, $79

The old stand by is the mug. How about one with positive thoughts? Then the PLEASANT DREAMS MUG is teh answer, $13

WHEN FEB 14 IS “SINGLE’S AWARENESS DAY”

Valentines Day is shockingly associated with couples. For a little quirky fun, think about single friends and family.

It's Not You, It's Me: The Poetry of Breakup, anthology by 30 contemporary writers, $11

NEVER KISS A FROG: A Girl's Guide to Creatures from the Dating Swamp. This is good advice any day, and not just for gals, $14

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PS: Don't forget MILO.COM, a free website that lets you find the product you want online, and then buy it locally.

As you can see there are plenty of frugal, quirky gifts out there for just about every taste. The Frugal Yankee has found a few. Hopefully it'll get your creative juices flowing and find that perfect gift for that someone special.

Need a few more ideas, check out an article we wrote last year. VALENTINES DAY COUNTDOWN

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