With Valentine's Day fast approaching and the economy floundering, many of us wonder how to impress our lover without breaking the bank. As the old saying goes, the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, so why not cook a romantic meal at home rather than blowing the budget at a restaurant?

For the best results, sit down and plan this event properly. Here are our tried-and-true tips for success:

1. Don't experiment, keep it simple

The effort you put into preparing a meal for your sweetie counts but this is no time to try something completely new. Choose something that you know your man loves (when in doubt, go with steak!), and save the experimentation for dessert. You can always keep strawberries and chocolate in reserve if disaster strikes and he'll never know the difference! We found a fabulous recipe for Strawberry Tiramisu.

2. Set the mood

Start with a romantic table setting, paying attention to the colours, textures, and accessories. Lighting and the right music must also be thought out. Skip the uber cheesy red roses - they cost much more on Valentine's Day anyway - and pick out something more imaginative.

3. Plan your wine list

Wine with dinner is probably a given, and it will also help you both to loosen up and relax. Pair your wine with the meal for the best result or choose a mutual favourite. Depending on the complexity of your menu, you might want to have a different bottle on hand for each course.

4. The Morning After

Since your evening was a huge success, you'll want to follow up with breakfast in bed. Keep the Valentine theme going - oatmeal with cranberries, pancakes with cherries or strawberries, or heart-shaped eggs (use a metal cookie cutter and crack the egg straight in). Champagne... obviously.

5. Your One and Only

In the end, the most successful Valentine's present is the one that makes your partner feel loved and appreciated. Whether it's the entire meal, or just a special dessert made with love and the intent to spoil, going out of your way to make something special is a romantic gesture that your partner will remember for years to come. All you really need to do is follow your heart (and the cooking instructions)!

by Robin Mitchell

p.s. for playtime afterward, check out our companion article - How To Spice Up Your Sex Life!