Valentine’s Day is one of those special holidays that you let that special someone know how you feel about them. With this holiday becoming so commercialized, it can often seem as though expressing your love can be very expensive, especially when one is on a tight budget. Fortunately, expressing love to your Valentine does not mean you have to go broke. There are a number of easy ways you can express your love without looking cheap. Below are a number of tips to make your holiday special without breaking your budget.

1. Many couples will go out to dinner on Valentine’s Day. When on a tight budget, this can often end up being a very expensive dining experience with the price hampering the romantic mood. One suggestion is to check the newspaper and coupon books for special Valentine Day specials. You can often find a two for one deal on special Valentine Day’s meals. If you are unable to find an affordable restaurant, you can always stay at home and make a special homemade meal. You will save a substantial amount of money if you shop for ingredients that are on sale. As well, you can be creative and romantic by having a candlelight dinner with romantic music. If you want to make a night of it, you can rent a romantic movie to watch after dinner.

2. Create your own special home spa bath. You can light scented candles in a bathroom, play romantic music in the background, and relax in a warm bubble bath. There are a number of stores such as ‘Dollar Stores’ that sell inexpensive scented bubble bath, bath salts, massage oils, and scented soaps. A warm bubble bath for two while drinking a glass of wine is a romantic and inexpensive way to spend Valentine’s Day.

3. Flowers are a traditional Valentine’s Day gift. Many people think a bouquet of flowers are expensive. However, you can often buy cheaper flowers at a supermarket or if you have a flower garden, you can pick them yourself to make a creative bouquet. If you purchase flowers, you can create a beautiful blend of less expensive flowers.

4. Making homemade gifts can often mean more than a store bought gift. You can make a homemade mini scrapbook highlighting the special moments of your relationship. You can find inexpensive scrapbooks and accessories at discount stores or department stores. Special items to put in the scrapbook can include pictures, ticket stubs for a special concert, a menu or business card of the first restaurant where you ate, etc.

For people who love romance, Valentine’s Day is a very special time to express their love. During difficult economic times, it can be tough to come up with an inexpensive way to celebrate the holiday. If you find yourself tightening your budget because of the recent decline in the economy, you can still celebrate Valentine’s Day. With a little careful financial planning such as setting money aside a few months before the special day, and coming up with an inexpensive way to celebrate the occasion, you may find that you have the most romantic time ever.

Adriana Noton is a freelance writer who specializes in providing great financial information for Canadians. When searching online for debt counselling or credit counselling, one of the many resources available is Consolidated Credit; offering a variety of debt counselling services and financial planning tools to help Canadians get their debts under control.

When deciding where to go on holiday this year, you will not be short of top destinations. There will also be a lot of travel agents advising you to book with them for the best deals. One place you should visit though is the World Tourism Organisation.

Each year they release information regarding which countries had the most visitors in a year compared to others. Also they provide information which clearly shows those countries which have seen a marked increase in the number of visitors from abroad visiting them. They also help to break down this list into the various continents showing which countries within Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas were the most popular.

Europe is one of the most popular travel destinations, with Italy being the most popular followed by France, Spain, UK the Germany. 18% of all holidaymakers decide to choose Europe each year, mainly because of the history and culture.

Some other destinations that are very popular with travellers are South Africa, Tunisia and Morocco – Travelling outside of Europe normally guarantees hot weather which is always great when holidaying.

Up and coming places that are starting to attract many tourists are China, Japan and Thailand. China is very popular at the moment because of the Olympics and Para Olympics. Thailand is very popular with students and backpackers. Then theres Japan which has a totally different way of living which Europeans love to experience.

Along with searching the World Tourism Organisation website for what holiday destinations are the most popular, take a look at other websites such as the Independent Tour Operators. They offer a list of the top ten destinations for 2008 and their list seems to be dominated by Western European countries currently. So what are proving to the most popular ten holiday destinations in 2008 according to Independent Tour Operators?

Tresco, Isles of Scilly ” This is situated of the west coast of England and is going to be a favourite because of the new built luxury development of holiday homes on it.

Naples, Italy ” There is not only many of the historic landmarks of the city which have recently been restored for you to spend time viewing, but it has some really wonderful shops and restaurants. Plus you are within easy reach of such attractions as Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius and the Amalfi Coast.

Since the start of the Eurostar many travellers have been going to France, as it only take a short time from England. When in France holidaymakers will truly experience why France is so famous.

Angkor Wat in Cambodia is currently a favourite with some holiday makes, as the World Heritage site is a beautiful place to see.

Western Iceland ” This is a place where if you are looking for seclusion when on holiday is ideal. Throughout your time the chances of you being disturbed are almost zero so being able to relax and unwind wont be a problem.

Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico is a lovely place to visit. Mexico has always been a popular destination because of its culture. The food has a very Spanish and French influence.

Cook Islands is a great place to go is you like the sun, it is also becoming very popular with UK citizens due to the fact that the pound is strong against the New Zealand dollar.

Monte Carlo, is known as a millionaires playground and is very popular with the rich and famous. Monte Carlo becomes very popular and expensive during the week of the Grand Prix.

Zambia is a great place to visit is you like safari, you will see all kinds of animals. Zambia is a cheap holiday destination and accommodation is fun if you stay in a tribal home hut.

Togo and Benin is situated in West Africa is a fantastic holiday resort if you are looking to see another side to Africa. It is a cheap holiday destination so your pound will stretch much further.

If you are searching for properties abroad look no further than the classifieds website Adflyer. Adflyer have 1000s of properties abroad for sale.

The Long Horn Miao are a tribe of the Miao minority group. Unlike other Miao tribes who wear beautiful silver jewelry from head to toe, the Long Horn Miao are distinguished by a big wooden horn that adorns their hair.

With a population of 5,000, the Long Horn Miao reside in a remote village at 1,800 meters above sea level. Until 1994, when a European anthropologist came here, the village was unknown to the outside world.

Without influences from the modern world, the local people have kept some customs alive for several centuries. Children start dating when they are only 12 or 13 years old. The Flower Dancing Festival held between the 4th and 14th day of the first lunar month is just for single young people to get together and seek their partners.[I:http://www.single-nights.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/ClareCliu45.jpg]

A few days before the festival, boys are busy making straw sandals to dance in. They usually also make sandals for the girls they are interested in. If a boy can afford more expensive sandals, he will make the sole out of oxhide and the straps of flax.

During the festival, boys and girls sing and dance in their beautiful ethnic clothes with Lusheng music in the background.

If a boy finds a girl he is interested in, he will follow her to the door of her home. Then they sing together. Usually one brings up a question, and another answers by singing. If the boy loses, he will have to lick a hammer used for pounding capsicum.

Only if he wins is the boy allowed to enter the girl’s home. Then the two cook and eat together. The boy may spend the night there, but he can only sleep on a pile of straw in the living room. [I:http://www.single-nights.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/ClareCliu46.jpg]

The next morning after breakfast, they dress up and participate in the festival again. The happy celebration won’t be over until evening.

Lots of interesting things can happen during the festival. Sometimes a few girls go to a market with one boy. The girls will stop to look at shoes for a while, then suddenly pick up a pair of straw shoes and run away. The boy has to pay for all of the shoes the girls take.

If a girl finds a boy she is interested in, she will rush to the boy and hold his arm tightly. Sometimes, the girl will pull the boy out of the crowd and run.

If the boy also shows interest in the girl, they will make an agreement. After sunset, they go out together to have a private talk and sing love songs under the moon.