A dozen red roses for your sweetie on Valentine's Day is going to cost you about $80.

That's $6.67 per rose, and that's before tax and delivery charges are added.

Dinner out at a fancy restaurant will set you back even more, and a trip to the jewelry store could really drain your bank account.

How do I love thee? Let me count the dollars.

America's love affair with spending big bucks to say, "I love you," it seems to me, is getting out of control.

One source that tracks this sort of spending, the National Retail Federation, says Americans plan to spend close to $17.3 billion this year to convey their affection.

A survey they conducted revealed about 54 percent of Americans will observe the big day, spending an average of almost $134 on cards, candy, dinner and gifts.

I'm no cost-cutting expert, but I can think of a number of ways to celebrate the day that would make me feel loved without emptying my loved one's pockets.

· Make me dinner at home. It doesn't have to be gourmet, but a tablecloth and candles, a bottle of wine and some soft music would make me feel very special. And don't forget to do the dishes.

· Write me a letter telling me 10 reasons why you are still glad we are together. Or, write the list on a card you made yourself. (You can borrow supplies from my scrapbooking stash.) Trust me, it will touch my heart. No? OK, how about on sticky notes I find all day long, in the bedroom, bathroom, refrigerator, in my purse.

You get the idea. I know it's a stretch, but I really hope there are 10.

· Instead of taking me out to an expensive dinner, give me a gift card to our favorite restaurant, and take me there later, after the Valentine's week crowds have gone home. We could go out for lunch, during happy hour, for a cocktail and appetizer treat. Or just for dessert. For some couples, this could involve hiring a babysitter, and taking care of that is part of the gift.

· Buy a DVD of one of my favorite chick flicks, and then watch it with me. (Need a hint? "In Her Shoes," "Ever After," "You've Got Mail," "Moonstruck." I could go on…)

· Create a CD of my favorite music. Or your favorite music. Or songs you think are romantic.

· Give me a gift certificate for something I don't like doing – detailing the car's interior, cleaning the bathroom or filling the gas tank on a cold day – to be redeemed later.

Celebrating your love doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, unless you really want it to. Giving the one you love your creative attention can enrich your relationship and express your feelings in a more meaningful way than a dozen red roses ever could.

So, while millions of roses are being flown and trucked across the world to arrive at the doorstep of American households this week, and restaurants overbook reservations for Friday night, consider not buying into the cost and the mad rush to observe the holiday.

Stay home and express your love in a heartfelt and less costly way.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning knew how to do it. She put her feelings in writing.

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."

Linda Wojciechowski

associate editor

Catasauqua Press