Quarantine or not, love is still in the air during these Covid-19 times. But with the economy struggling and everyone on a tight budget, expressing your love for someone you care about takes a different twist.

Expensive gifts are out of the question as are romantic dinners in expensive restaurants. But don’t despair – expressions of love come in many fascinating ways, not just in the ways we have all come to take for granted.

Here are some examples:

1. Identify the five ‘love languages’

In 1992, Dr Gary Chapman published a New York Times bestseller titled “The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate.”

In this and his later books, he explained that each person responds more to certain languages and less to others. Here are some examples:

• Words of affirmation: Praise, express gratitude, recognise good behaviour and acknowledge good acts.
• Gifts: Give gifts that match the situation and the person.
• Acts of service: Wash the dishes, send the car for servicing.
• Quality time: Spend time with him, give him your undivided attention. Talk but listen as well.
• Physical touch: Hold hands, kiss, hug.

2. Identify the action to match the ‘love language’

When you match the right act to the right language, everything falls in place, and everybody feels appreciated.

You can easily cut down on spending lavishly if you know just the right thing to do to please your loved one. Here is a list incorporating actions for not only your partner, but others and yourself.

Words of Affirmation

• Give a truthful and meaningful compliment. Quote specific examples so they know you have been paying attention.
• Write a note expressing your love, gratitude, and appreciation.
• Hide many little notes expressing your love or make it a long note listing 99 reasons why you love them.
• If you’re good at poetry, singing or music, share something special with him lyrically.
• Make a playlist of their favourite songs and throw in a surprise recording of your voice.

Gifts

• Know what your loved one wants or needs and buy it from your special gift-giving fund.
• Surprise your loved one with a meaningful gift. This can be given as-is, or hidden in their bag, or delivered to them.
• Plan a scavenger hunt with various gifts hidden around the home and clues from one gift to the other.

Make a DIY gift basket filled with yummy food or any other small stuff that your loved one likes and uses.

Acts of service

• Take over doing all the chores for the entire day so they can enjoy a day of full relaxation.
• Cook a meal that he enjoys. Consider aesthetics – nice plates, good cutlery, a little decor here and there.
• Offer to do something you know they don”t. For example: offer to shop for groceries this time around, or do laundry.

Quality time

• Give your loved one your undivided time and attention. Have a meal or plan a day where you put away your phone, gadgets, and other distractions.
• Pick an activity to do together that they like.
• For partners, do what you both used to love doing together from the time when you were dating (or even pretend that it’s your first date).

Physical touch

• Make something with your own hands – bake, paint, cook.
• Snuggle up together on the sofa as you watch your loved ones’ favourite movie.
• Take a romantic walk together just the two of you holding hands.
• Prepare a home aromatherapy spa, or learn the basics of a good massage and give the best massage ever to your partner.

3. Just do it

Be inspired by the suggestions and customise your ideas depending on your loved one’s preferences. Consider your budget and your lead time. Take any of your favourite ideas listed above or come up with more everyday budget ideas:

• Plan a romantic home-cooked dinner date.
• Go online gift shopping for one another with a fixed budget that makes it creative (i e below RM50).
• Create a memories scrapbook or photo book.
• Have a picnic in your own garden or balcony.
• Write a love letter, copy a love poem, or write down many little notes saying why you love him.
• Decide on a suitable moment for your love expression and schedule it so you book their time in advance.

This article first appeared in MyPF. Follow MyPF to simplify and grow your personal finances on Facebook and Instagram.