Most people take queues from TV commercials to tell them when to be romantic, such as on Valentine’s Day or for anniversaries. But why wait for a special occasion to be romantic with your loved one? Many times, the best way to be romantic is by surprising your wife, husband, boyfriend, or girlfriend when they least expect it, so in this article we’re going to talk about how to surprise them without breaking the bank.

Remember the movie Patch Adams? There was a scene in the movie when Robin Williams filled an entire house full of balloons and brought a smile to everyone’s face. Although the scene wasn’t a romantic one, that doesn’t mean you can’t use it for romance in your life. All you need to pull this off is a gas tank and a few hundred balloons. Spend the day filling them up and surprise your lover when they come home. The look on their face will be priceless. Want to make it extra romantic? Fill the whole house with red, white, and pink balloons to set the mood perfectly.

Another great idea is to sneak a love note in your significant other’s lunch, glove box, purse, or wallet. They’ll not only be surprised, but they’ll be warm with the thought of you thinking about them when they least expect it. Some people go as far as to make this a daily ritual. It is a really great way to keep the romance alive.

If you play a musical instrument, surprise your lover with a song about them. Buy a newspaper ad and tell them how much you love them. Get some window paint and write a message on their car, or write one on their bathroom mirror before they wake up. If you fancy yourself as an artist, you could even print a group of photos and create a custom collage that celebrates your loved one.

Lastly, you could bake a dinner at home and send the kids to the babysitters so that you can enjoy a romantic candlelight dinner. The key is to do something out of the ordinary and take the effort to do it right. You don’t have to do it every day of the week, but it is the little things like this that keep the romance alive in a relationship. Romantic gifts, no matter the occasion, can improve any relationship.

When your marriage is young, you have no problem avoiding arguments and saying I love you, but as time goes on the little things start to get in the way. Although you still love each other, the lack of hearing it or feeling it can lead to fighting or stress. Don’t let the little things get in the way of your love; do something special to celebrate your spouse and show them how much you care. You’ll be happy you did! Just make sure to keep it up and keep them on their toes. There is no such thing as being too romantic, so try something new every day, every week, every month, or every year.