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Here’s a gift idea you might need a little time to plan for. Try and spy out what childhood toy your partner is sentimental for and does not still have possession of. Is it something no longer in production? No problem, just go to Ebay.com and do some searching. Other great places to search are yard sales, flea markets and junk shops. If you have a creative bent, you could work on making something personalized just for him or her with that cherished toy. You can brainstorm on this one.

Are you having a hard time figuring out what to get your lovely Mate? Don’t feel bad – studies have shown that subjects who knew their gift recipients less (such as an acquaintance) actually gave more appropriate personal gifts than those who knew them well. Go with the obvious: If you already have a photo of the two of you together, why not get the print enlarged and installed into a nice frame? No picture of the two of you yet? Fine, then go through your photo collection and find one of yourself you know she/he will like. Perhaps it’s one they snapped of you! Your loved one will surely appreciate this personal gift. Even a photo in a small frame can be lovely and will fit nicely on their office desk.

Is there something that you like your partner to do before getting intimate, such as shaving or showering together? Figure out what it is that works for you and turn it into a code. Just be sure to educate your partner on what the code means, hint-hint, and be prepared to remind her or him on it from time to time when life gets in the way and they possibly forget…. Oh, and use the code!

Reward your lover by pampering… yourself! You can’t make someone else feel good if you don’t feel good yourself, so go ahead and get a spa treatment or a manicure. If it’s not in the budget, do it yourself or take a warm bath in Epsom salts and milk (like Cleopatra did). After you are all freshened up, get some tiny hair accessories and decorate your privates with them! Some that can work well are the tiny Velcro and fabric type in different shapes or the tiny jaw-type clips that come in themes and colors (often marketed to little girls), many come ½ inch or smaller. Cover yourself in a robe. Now, it’s time to present yourself!

Desire and arousal are really about attention. Do you feel like the two of you are in a rut? One simple thing you can do is try to find new ways to pay attention to your mate. Sometimes, something easy like changing up the way you look or dress can break the routine between you. Try a few things new for yourself!

Turn a domestic situation into a date. The next time the two of you are at the supermarket or the warehouse store, grab your Beloved’s arm or hang onto their coat as the two of you canvas the aisles. Make a chore-like task seem like a date and keep it sweet and lighthearted. Remember, you truly can make anything fun! Use your imagination, especially when thinking of some tasks you previously thought were mind-numbing.

If you own a cell phone, why not program it so that when your sweetie calls you from their cellphone, your phone sings a different tune from when the rest of the world calls you?! Browse your phone’s features for a tune you like. If you don’t find one you like, try downloading one, many are free of charge. Bonus: Use a tune that has special meaning for the two of you. P.S. Always answer when your sweetie calls you!

Although your True Love is sure to love and appreciate not only you, but your family, too…consider giving her/him a Freedom Pass once in a while! The next time there is a family gathering, go alone and let your True Love take the day off. You can fib and say they’re sick if you have to. Your Sweetie will love you for it! And consider blowing off one of these less-than-exciting gatherings together.

Do you have a picture of your Beloved on your desk at the office? If not, why not? Although it may seem corny, go ahead and do it anyway. When you are having a bad day, you can look at the photo of your Love and have a mini-vacation rest before going back to some dreaded task. The small break is good for stress! If you work at a place where you are not allowed to display photos, then get creative: post it in a drawer you use often so that you can see it every time you open it or find another secret place.

Remember “turn-down” service in hotels? That’s where the housekeeping staff sneaks into your hotel room during the afternoon and folds your bedding down off the pillow and the highlight for you is the chocolate treat they leave on your pillow! Surprise your loved one and do the same thing at home! Extra points for placing special, custom treats! Leave a tiny note too if you like.

Apply a temporary tattoo somewhere on your body, then dare your lover to locate where it is! If you really want to make your lover suffer, make them guess what the tattoo image is, too!

Decorate a box with wrapping paper you like or use a pretty empty tissue box and decorate it with stickers or trim (you can also use an opaque vase instead). If there is no hole, cut one out of the top. Load it with pieces of paper noting things you love about each other, one per sheet. Pull out and read one or two daily! Smiles all around….

What time do you prefer to make love together? Does it work best for both of you in the evening? Or in the morning? At another time? Have a great time figuring out which time of the day or night works best because there is at least one!

If you’re married (or have promise rings), consider getting the insides of your wedding ring bands inscribed with sentiments that mean something to the two of you. Then it’s like having an intimate secret with you all the time, which you can gaze at if you want.

Look in your local papers for a one-time massage class and take it with your Honey! Guaranteed to liven things up (or take turns relaxing…). This is frugal in the long run and good for exchanging favors with each other!

Show each other the neighborhoods both of you grew up in. Make a point of not meeting up with anyone else — keep it just between the two of you, like a date for each destination! Share what you liked most and least about growing up there. How much has the place changed (or has it)? Take your time, make it lazy. You will be creating new memories together even if the setting seems a little strange at first.

Mark all the important dates in a brand new calendar for your beloved or one that you can share. Include birthdays, your own various anniversaries together, etc. You can also get creative and make up future occasions, labeling them either clearly or mysteriously. This can also be given as a gift. Just remember, YOU need to keep track of all those wonderful dates too!

Do you have nicknames for each other? If not, come up with one for your honey! What is cute or unique about your sweetheart? What do they like? Do they have a favorite animal? You can try out a few and decide later what you both like, and what makes your beloved smile. When you’ve established a nickname, keep it secret between you.

Open up a separate savings account for the sole purpose of using the funds for romantic trips and getaways with your Favorite Person. Have as little as $5 or as much as say, $50 diverted from each paycheck into your Love Fund automatically. This way, you are less likely to miss it (since it comes out before you see it) and you may be surprised at how steadily it adds up to a useful sum for fun! Think of your Love Fund as an investment in future enjoyable and valuable memories.

(TIP: Online savings accounts render the best interest rates when compared to standard brick & mortar savings accounts, typically at several percentage points more. You can learn more at Flexo’s blog on personal finance.

When your annual anniversary arrives (you are keeping track aren’t you?), send a thank you card or letter to the person who introduced you and your sweetheart to each other. Or, the two of you can take him or her out to dinner! Better yet -– do both!

Buy the nicest little journal you can find (extra points for recycled or eco-friendly) and try to get one that is acid-free (for longevity). Now, the fun part: hide it and then pull it out when you are struck by intimate sentiments you wish to share with your Beloved…and write them down. You can include sweet thoughts you have about your Beloved and anything about them and your relationship together that you appreciate. If spontaneity concerns you, drafting it out first and writing it in the actual journal later is fine, too. Take your time, as this is sure to become a most cherished gift enjoyed forever.

Get your local newspaper’s weekend edition and note all the open houses near you. Spend a relaxing, low-key afternoon with your sweetheart touring around neighborhoods and exploring the houses for sale with no intention of buying. It can be fun too see other people’s living spaces, even if they are professionally staged. And there’s nothing like planning your next home together (even just in your imaginations) to rouse the romantic spirit. Typically, open houses are scheduled on Sundays, late morning to early afternoon, but check your local listings.

When was the last time you and your sweetie actually got all silly and giggly? Life can bring us down at times, but laughter heals us by increasing lung capacity, enhancing oxygen supply to the whole body, reducing the release of stress hormones, and increasing the release of endorphins — those feel-good pain alleviating hormones we all love. Laughter boosts the immune system too! You don’t need an occasion…the next time the two of you meet up, just be goofy. Wear something ridiculous with a straight face while and see how long both of you can keep your composure. Or initiate a tickle-fest or a pillow fight.

Leave tiny little gifts on random occasions on your Lover’s desk, pillow or place at the dining table. These items don’t have to cost much and will serve to let your loved one know they are constantly in your thoughts.