I almost forgot that Valentine’s Day is one of the biggest dining days of the year, and therefore deserves a special mention on Recession Dining.

The National Retail Federation is already predicting a 25 percent decrease in spending on this recessionary Valentine’s Day.

So, if you are here to find out how to spend less than five dollars on your date on Valentine’s Day, you’re going to be sadly disappointed.

Because this installment of Recession Dining has one point to make: Valentine’s Day is NOT the day to be cheap. Neither do I recommend blowing your life savings or spending uncomfortable amounts of money just to show your love. That is pure idiocy.

What I do believe in is this: Valentine’s Day should be carefully considered. Because, fairly or unfairly, the gesture you make will be directly correlated to the quality and quantity of your affection.

Trying to save money on a date does not mean less love for the other party. But being a cheapskate may be misinterpreted as such.

I understand that there is a fine distinction between saving money and being cheap. It is a distinction not many grasp. So let me illustrate with the following Valentine hot button issues.

FLOWERS CAN BE A THORNY ISSUE

Saving Money

• Buying less than a dozen roses
• Buying less expensive flowers but making up for it with volume
• Going out of your way to create your own bouquet, carefully selected pretty though less costly blooms.

Cheap

• Not giving your significant other flowers or a card or anything at all, while proclaiming your disdain for Valentine’s as a Hallmark holiday. Yes, Hallmark holiday Valentine's may be, but can you imagine how it must be like to be the only kid in the classroom not to get a Valentine? I also wonder about the romantic repercussions of that kind of stoicism towards Valentine's day.
• Stealing flowers from public gardens to create your own bouquet. If you are five years old, however, you might get away with this.

ROMANCING WITH FOOD

Saving Money

• Having dinner at a cheap hole-in-the-wall that holds special meaning for you i.e., “We met at this deli. I’d like to relive that special moment tonight,” splurging on the most special items on the menu (remember, this is a cheap hole-in-the-wall) and then going to a much, much nicer spot for coffee and dessert.
• Going to a cheap or medium-priced, affordable restaurant or hole-in-the-wall you both have been wanting to try for a long time. Novelty is romantic, n'est pas?
• Having brunch instead of dinner at that pricey place, since brunch is usually a less expensive meal.
• Not going out but cooking a special meal. For some reason, I always envision medium-rare filet mignon, red wine and strawberries as the perfect menu for a stay-at-home Valentine’s dinner date. Serve these on pristine white plates (not paper), take out the special silver, use cloth napkins and a tablecloth, light some candles, set the table with flowers, and the mood with music. It could be much simpler than this, but I say a home-cooked meal made and presented with care trumps any dinner out.

Cheap

• Not planning anything special and treating Valentine’s Day just like another day in the recession.
• Having dinner at a pricey place but complaining about the prices. Then ordering water only. And setting a price cap on your date’s order.
• Having dinner at a medium-priced place and still complaining about the prices.
• Having dinner at a cheap, random hole-in-the-wall you didn't even research* and splitting the bill.

FORETHOUGHT IS FOREPLAY

Now remember, pricey, medium and cheap are relative. What is cheap to a Wall Street executive may be expensive to a Wall Street executive whose annual pay has been just limited to half a million dollars.

So just use common sense. But above all, here is the best advice I can give. Plan it. In fact, that’s why I rushed to publish this issue of Recession Dining today, almost a week before the day. When you plan ahead, you have a better chance of controlling cost. Plus it shows thought, love and care, better than any amount of money can. And that is the key to surviving Valentine’s Day, with or without a recession.

*See other RECESSION DINING issues for affordable restaurant ideas for Valentine's Day.