WOOSTER, Ohio -- Who needs diamonds and roses when you can have hand-written love notes on your toilet paper roll?
In these tough economic times, it's nice to know that there are still ways to show your sweetie you love her for free.
Dennis Tafoya, who owns Muddy Waters Cafe in Wooster, Ohio, with his wife, Paula, said he is no stranger to being a romantic. He's a big fan of not only leaving notes on the bathroom tissue but he also warms up her gloves on the defroster in the car so they're nice and toasty when she gets in.
If you're hurting for money this Valentine's Day, Tafoya recommends the men "try and do a manicure" on their ladies.
"That'll give you miles," he said. "It's the effort that shows -- the effort doesn't cost anything."
Making chocolate-covered strawberries are among his go-tos for creating a special moment for Paula.
"They make a good show, and they are so flippin' easy," he said.
Notes on TP aren't the only place Tafoya goes to leave visual "I love yous."
"She (Paula) used to go to the UPS box down the street everyday, and I would put an 'I love you' note in there and it would roll out when she opened it," he said.
For College of Wooster junior Tanner Hall, being romantic came easily after meeting his girlfriend of more than a year, Ashante Yenni.
Hall said he has learned over the years that putting a little effort into a gift can make it much more special than spending a lot of money. "As long as you put some sort of thought into it, they will like it," he said. Last year for Valentine's Day, the money-conscious college student wrote an original song for his lady, then typed up the words " in some elegant letters, because it is all about the presentation." He then framed the song, wrapped it, and put it on his girlfriend's desk as he waited for her to come home, Hall said. Upon arriving, he said she opened the song, and before she could ask him what it was for, he had his guitar out and was playing it for her. "It will make her melt," Hall said of composing music for a girlfriend. "She will cry on the spot." And while song writing took a little bit of planning -- about a week from beginning note to final lyric -- it was well worth it, because it was made just for her, he said. Another "more pricey" gift Hall has bought for Yenni is registering a star in her name. Hall bought "Ashante's Star" for her last year, and while the $50 price tag was an investment at the time, it is a gift that will last forever, he said. Another easy, inexpensive, everyday gift that can be tailored specifically for Valentine's Day is burning a CD, Hall said.
"By making a CD you can tell a story," Hall said. "Not someone else's story, but yours and your girlfriend's." If you're short on ideas for your loved one this holiday, the Pink Tomato, located in downtown Wooster, has loads of projects that won't break your wallet. From frames, to accordion books, to picture trees, the business has all anyone needs to plan the perfect Valentine's Day surprise. "Handcrafted comes from within," said Jodi Kennedy, who co-owns the craft studio with Christy Hoffman. "We offer a do-it-yourself crafting studio without the huge investment. ... Here, you can always come back and do something fresh and new." Pink Tomato customers Heather Satyshure and Emily McCloy, both of Wooster, recently made a "tree of love" at the shop, which features a white metal, tree-like stand that hangs hand-decorated pictures off of the branches. Satyshure first came into the store looking for ideas for her wedding invitations, which she is completely designing and making at the studio. "These are gifts that you actually make yourself and they have that personal touch which means more than something you just go out and buy," she said. McCloy said she plans on taking her 7-year-old daughter to the shop so she can decorate her Valentine's Day box and cards for her school party. "When I walk in the door I get so many ideas," she said. "I do a lot of different crafts but I need help and I can get that here." So if you're short on dough this year but still want to give your significant other the perfect Valentine's Day present, follow Tafoya's lead: "A little bit of thought and a little bit of effort is all it takes," he said. "It's so simple."
