Want more romance?

There are a lot of ways you can add more romance to your relationship. If you are wanting to gradually reinstate romance into your relationship instead of a grand gesture, then you can start out with subtle things. It depends on what kind of guy your lover is. Would he become nervous and concerned if you sprung a big surprise on him? Or would he jump right into the fun?

If he falls under the first category, then one of the best things to help shake things up and rekindle the romance is to take things out of their ordinary stations. That can be objects as well as people and place them into your everyday routine.

For example, if your lover is always the one who retrieves the mail why not treat him and have the mail waiting for him? Show up at work and take him to lunch. Do little things for him that will inspire him. Just going out of your way to help your lover gives a tender touch to your relationship, something that often gets lost in the daily grind. You might be surprised by thoughtful acts of love being gifted to you in return. It’s truly the little things in life that build into greater expressions of love and romance.

You can also shake things up by displacing objects in the daily routine. For example, use your silverware at the evening meals. Don’t just use it for special occasions. Same thing for the cherished china and crystal. Dust them off and infuse some elegance into your evening meals. (Hint: the silverware will never tarnish if used regularly.)

Other things you can do, redecorate your bedroom (if budget allows) make it romantic with rich colors like red and gold. Go for the sense of touch with soft textures like satin, silk or velvet.

Step up to the plate, literally and prepare your lover’s favorite meal or dishes typically served only during special celebrations or treat him to his favorite restaurant or take out. Buy him a free car wash certificate, green fees at his favorite golf course, a month’s fee at his gym or gift certificate at the sporting goods. If he’s a fisherman, you could buy him that fishing lure he’s been wanting and then go fishing together.

If your lover is the adventurous type, then you might want to just let romance happen in a big wave with a night full of ambiance. Choose the most romantic place you know and take him there. Do you enjoy dancing, but somehow that favorite pastime fell away over the years? Now’s the time to revive it and have some romantic fun!

If budget allows, kidnap him as soon as he’s off of work one Friday and steal away for a fun weekend in a romantic setting. You could heighten the fun by not revealing your destination until you arrive. There are some really great short-notice weekend trip bargains to be found all the time.

Splurge on romance. It’s one of the best investments you can make.

If all of that is too extravagant, then you can still create a romantic weekend at home. Tell everyone that you are unavailable for the weekend and then turn off the cell phones, unplug the laptops and go shopping. Be creative and find items that will spice up your décor. Candles are my favorite mood-setting standby. Buy fresh flowers, air freshener with a spicy scent, select his favorite songs and arrange in a playlist on your ipod or purchase a CD of his favorite songs and gift wrap it for him.

Choose foods you ordinarily might not splurge on buying. If you make a recipe that is one of his favorites, then bake it for him. Buy scented massage oil and surprise him with a body massage. Hot tubs and champagne are a great combination. If you have a neglected hot tub, uncover it and start the motor. String lights overhead, move potted plants to surround the tub and create a lush setting. Suspend fabric or colorful sheets with tiebacks to enclose the hot tub.

If the weather is nice, set a small round table with a nice table cloth and candles. Use your best china and silverware and don’t forget the very expensive goblets you haven’t used since the last holiday celebration.

Too much expense? There are free activities you can enjoy together such as hiking, picnics in parks or walking hand in hand on the beach. Other less costly moments can be as simple as taking a drive in the country, riding bicycles, snow skiing, a movie, or a boat ride. Revisit places that hold past romantic memories for the two of you.

Just remember, part of the secret to creating romance in our lives, aside from the obvious, is to involve the five senses, taste, touch, smell, sight, and sound. The more of the senses you engage, the greater the experience will be.

And once you’ve jump-started your romance, be sure to nurture it daily. Set a weekly date night. Even if it is take out or home delivery pizza, keep the date nights going. Agree to make it a night just about the two of you with no interruptions. Enjoy the new sparks of romance because the possibilities are as endless as your imaginations.