Published on 02/11/2008

hearts Are you the hopeless romantic type that wants to get your Valentine something traditional, but aren't sure what to get with your budget? We've got some ideas for you.

Savvy Student Valentine's Day - Traditional Style

Savvy Student for the traditional Valentine's Day

Looking for something more alternative for your Valentine? See more options here!

chocolates If you want to go the traditional way this Valentine’s Day any partner, man or woman, will appreciate a sweet indulgence. So, why not buy the best? Although Godiva Chocolatier is well known for being both delicious and expensive, there are more affordable options available. For $12.50 you can get your Valentine 14 chocolate hearts wrapped in red and gold foil.

If money isn’t an issue, the 40 Godiva truffles in a fabric box for $85 might be more your thing. Let’s just hope your Valentine is as generous as you and is willing to share.

rose Flowers are one of the more traditional Valentine’s Day gifts, but buying them doesn’t have to break the bank. Fancy florist shops are not the only place to buy roses for your Valentine, grocery stores like Loblaws or Dominion sell them too. While the second week of February is always more expensive, the prices at grocery stores will not be as outrageous as at florists. At Dominion, 12 sweetheart roses cost $14.99 while 24 long-stem roses are $49.99.

If the grocery stores sell out, you can still buy roses at florists, but they will cost you more. For $79.95 plus delivery charges, Flowers by the Dozen offers one dozen long-stem roses, available in red, white, pink, yellow and orange.

plate with fork Looking for a nice date place to go to instead of buying each other expensive gifts this year? From the dimly lit, romantic atmosphere to the delicious and affordable entrees starting at $8.95, Spring Rolls in the Atrium on Bay has it all. This Valentine’s Day, the Two Can Tango Mango special allows anyone who orders an entrée to enter a draw to win Tango lessons for two. It could be the Valentine’s dinner that keeps on giving! The contest’s namesake, the Tango Mango Chicken and Tiger Shrimp dish, served with white rice will cost you $12.95, while the Tango Mango with chicken only is $8.95.

If you want to enjoy your Valentine’s dinner on top of the city, and don’t mind shelling out a few extra bucks, Panorama on the 51^st floor of the Manulife Centre at Bay and Bloor is always a nice option. For this romantic holiday, there is a set three course menu including shrimp and asparagus salad
with caviar verjuice aioli as one choice of appetizer, followed by seared salmon and twice cooked tuna
with cedar smoked bacon risotto as one of the main course options. A choice of champagne strawberries with coconut sabayon or passion fruit mousse and raspberry rhubarb jam with vanilla cream are available for dessert. This sky-high Valentine’s dinner costs $170 per couple.

underwear Whether you want to give your Valentine something sexy or surprise them by wearing it yourself, lingerie is always a good idea. While lingerie can be quite expensive, La Senza usually has some cheaper options. A “seniorita ruffle baby doll” in lime mousse, tango red or black is $29.50.

La Perla on Avenue Road sells more expensive, higher quality lingerie. For a baby doll made of silk with black lace detailing and featuring images of forbidden pleasures between monks and ladies, it costs $398.

hotel If you and your partner are looking for a little alone time and can’t seem to get it with roommates constantly knocking at your door, why not go on a romantic getaway this Valentine’s Day? The Delta Chelsea, near the corner of Gerrard and Yonge Street, offers the “your stay your way, a little romance” package. For as little as $154 plus tax, you can give your Valentine a relaxing night away in a Delta-category room with chocolates, flowers and a bath bomb.

If you would prefer a view of frozen Lake Ontario, the Radisson Hotel at Queens Quay and Lower Simcoe Streets can also accommodate romantic Valentine’s couples. For $259, you can treat your Valentine to a night away with a view, complete with chocolate covered strawberries, sparkling wine and VIP treatment including bathrobes and a turn-down service.

jewelry Something almost any girl would go crazy for this Valentine’s Day is jewelry from Tiffany & Co. Not everything at this legendary store will break the bank, though. The “Return to Tiffany” heart earrings are affordable at $160.

If you want to buy from Tiffany and have a slightly larger budget, the matching “Return to Tiffany” heart tag necklace is a popular choice, costing $300.
If you want to buy your Valentine jewelry, but the budget is tight this year, Icing by Claire’s offers a nice selection of knock-off styles. This Tiffany look-alike bracelet costs only $7, while the real thing is $205.

	If you want to go the traditional way this Valentine’s Day any partner, man or woman, will appreciate a sweet indulgence. So, why not buy the best? Although Godiva Chocolatier is well known for being both delicious and expensive, there are more affordable options available. For $12.50 you can get your Valentine 14 chocolate hearts wrapped in red and gold foil. If money isn’t an issue, the 40 Godiva truffles in a fabric box for $85 might be more your thing. Let’s just hope your Valentine is as generous as you and is willing to share.
	Flowers are one of the more traditional Valentine’s Day gifts, but buying them doesn’t have to break the bank. Fancy florist shops are not the only place to buy roses for your Valentine, grocery stores like Loblaws or Dominion sell them too. While the second week of February is always more expensive, the prices at grocery stores will not be as outrageous as at florists. At Dominion, 12 sweetheart roses cost $14.99 while 24 long-stem roses are $49.99. If the grocery stores sell out, you can still buy roses at florists, but they will cost you more. For $79.95 plus delivery charges, Flowers by the Dozen offers one dozen long-stem roses, available in red, white, pink, yellow and orange.
	Looking for a nice date place to go to instead of buying each other expensive gifts this year? From the dimly lit, romantic atmosphere to the delicious and affordable entrees starting at $8.95, Spring Rolls in the Atrium on Bay has it all. This Valentine’s Day, the Two Can Tango Mango special allows anyone who orders an entrée to enter a draw to win Tango lessons for two. It could be the Valentine’s dinner that keeps on giving! The contest’s namesake, the Tango Mango Chicken and Tiger Shrimp dish, served with white rice will cost you $12.95, while the Tango Mango with chicken only is $8.95. If you want to enjoy your Valentine’s dinner on top of the city, and don’t mind shelling out a few extra bucks, Panorama on the 51^st floor of the Manulife Centre at Bay and Bloor is always a nice option. For this romantic holiday, there is a set three course menu including shrimp and asparagus salad with caviar verjuice aioli as one choice of appetizer, followed by seared salmon and twice cooked tuna with cedar smoked bacon risotto as one of the main course options. A choice of champagne strawberries with coconut sabayon or passion fruit mousse and raspberry rhubarb jam with vanilla cream are available for dessert. This sky-high Valentine’s dinner costs $170 per couple.
	Whether you want to give your Valentine something sexy or surprise them by wearing it yourself, lingerie is always a good idea. While lingerie can be quite expensive, La Senza usually has some cheaper options. A “seniorita ruffle baby doll” in lime mousse, tango red or black is $29.50. La Perla on Avenue Road sells more expensive, higher quality lingerie. For a baby doll made of silk with black lace detailing and featuring images of forbidden pleasures between monks and ladies, it costs $398.
	If you and your partner are looking for a little alone time and can’t seem to get it with roommates constantly knocking at your door, why not go on a romantic getaway this Valentine’s Day? The Delta Chelsea, near the corner of Gerrard and Yonge Street, offers the “your stay your way, a little romance” package. For as little as $154 plus tax, you can give your Valentine a relaxing night away in a Delta-category room with chocolates, flowers and a bath bomb. If you would prefer a view of frozen Lake Ontario, the Radisson Hotel at Queens Quay and Lower Simcoe Streets can also accommodate romantic Valentine’s couples. For $259, you can treat your Valentine to a night away with a view, complete with chocolate covered strawberries, sparkling wine and VIP treatment including bathrobes and a turn-down service.
	Something almost any girl would go crazy for this Valentine’s Day is jewelry from Tiffany & Co. Not everything at this legendary store will break the bank, though. The “Return to Tiffany” heart earrings are affordable at $160. If you want to buy from Tiffany and have a slightly larger budget, the matching “Return to Tiffany” heart tag necklace is a popular choice, costing $300. If you want to buy your Valentine jewelry, but the budget is tight this year, Icing by Claire’s offers a nice selection of knock-off styles. This Tiffany look-alike bracelet costs only $7, while the real thing is $205.