Expensive champagne, hand-dipped chocolate truffles and long-stemmed red roses are the

classic ways of saying "I love you" on Valentine's Day.

But sometimes, extravagance comes with a side order of regret for the giver, the recipient

or both. Maybe you are in financial straits and just can't spare the money. Maybe you're a

young couple saving for a house or new parents with a college fund on the horizon. Or maybe

it's difficult for you to justify spending lavishly when so many people have so little, both

here and abroad.

None of those things should prevent you from treating your sweetie to an entertaining,

romantic Valentine's Day — or turn any day into Valentine's Day. All you need is some

creativity. Because, face it: the long-stemmed reds, followed by dinner and a first-run movie,

are pretty enough, but a bit cliched, right? Wouldn't a less common — and oh, by the

way, cheaper — gift with a special meaning be even more romantic?

"No matter how much money you can spend on the gifts, it does not buy you happiness," says

Amy Remmele, a life coach, business counselor and owner of Peak of Success in Amherst.

And, she says, "sometimes spending a lot is a bad idea. If you're in dire financial straits

and you come home with a really expensive gift, I don't think it's going to be well-received.

Is it really worth it if you lay awake worrying about making the mortgage payment?"

Remmele, author of the new book, "CLO: Chief Life Officer," says the gift of time is the most

precious of all. "If there's one thing I hear from women, it's "I begged him for years to

spend time with me and the kids.' Especially as you get older, you look back and wish you had

that time back again."

Second, says Remmele, start paying attention to your loved one, and "you'll always know the

best gifts to give." One of the best gifts her husband ever gave her, she says, was a

collection of small Scottie figurines he found in antiques shops. "Some of them cost just 25

cents, but he took the time and energy to shop just for me."

If you really have a limited budget because you are saving for a goal, such as a down

payment on a house, Remmele urges romantics choose a small gift that signifies the reason for

their frugality. "Go get something small for the new house that represents your future," she

says. The gift will say, "I am looking forward to our new life together," and can be the basis

for a lifelong family story.

Take it outside

People travel halfway around the world to see a romantic sight we have in our own backyard

— Niagara Falls. Many aficionados of the cataracts feel that the park is most romantic

in the stillness of the winter, when the trees form crystalline icicles from the constant mist

bath.

"The park is open and very romantic this time of year," says Angela P. Berti, spokesperson

for the New York State parks. "The mist hits the trees, the railings, the buildings and

instantly freezes, so everything is encapsulated with ice. We've got the ice bridge forming

below, which is fantastic to see. You can hear the roar of the falls, but everything else is

so quiet. At this time of year, you could be the only person in the park, and there's nothing

more romantic than that."

On particularly icy days, Goat Island might be closed to cars, "but that doesn't prohibit

walkers from exploring it," Berti says.

The Visitor's Center is open daily until 5 p.m., offering a place to warm up, a gift

shop and "the snack bar is available for coffee, hot chocolate and proposals," says Berti,

laughing.

Parking in the lot is $10 per car; street parking outside the park is free.

Anyone who wants to celebrate a day early can attend the "Rolling in the Park" event

Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Events include an interpreter-guided free

trolley ride past the Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil Falls and the Niagara Gorge

Discovery Center area, as well as a trip into the Cave of the Winds. Coupons will be

distributed for 25 percent off at the adjacent Hard Rock Cafe.

Greenery and more

A few hours in a warm, humid oasis with lush greenery and gorgeous flowers can raise

everyone's spirits in the dead of winter. For that warm respite, stop at the Buffalo and Erie

County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave.

"It's a tropical vacation for $8," says Erin Grajek, director of marketing for the gardens.

"There's something calm and quiet about the Botanical Gardens, and that lends itself to

escaping your life's pressures.

"We see a lot of couples, especially during the day," she says. "They seem to start here and

then go to dinner afterward."

Each section of the Victorian-era structure has its appeal, from the Palm Dome to the

orchid room, and this weekend, visitors can catch the end of the amaryllis and cymbidium show.

The gardens have plenty of resting spots perfect for romantic moments. "We have lots of little

tables for two scattered throughout the gardens and benches to sit on, and there are many

quiet spots. We don't mind if people bring in little picnics," says Grajek, as long as no

alcohol is brought in.

Grajek has a suggestion for the most romantic spot in the gardens. "In the ivy and herb

house, there is a little ivy grotto, and there is a bench in there with room for two. When you

sit on it you face a fountain. It's really cute, quiet and romantic."

The gardens are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except for Christmas and Thanksgiving

Day, with admission $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, $4 for children 3 to 12.

But if you can put off your celebration until Monday, admission is just $1 per person, one

of three days a year when the admission is so low.

Movie night

Fifteen years ago, the owner of the Screening Room, a boutique cinema in Amherst where

patrons sit at cafe tables, decided to show "Casablanca" on Valentine's Day. The tradition is

still drawing romantics, some of whom see it every year.

"We have quite a few people who call for reservations a half-year before, not that you need

to do that," says owner Bob Golibersuch. "We have a core of people who come to see it every

year. Some are regulars, some we just see once a year for "Casablanca.' If it's not the most

romantic movie of all time, it's right up there."

This year, the film will be shown at 9:15 p.m. today, at 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday and at 4,

7 and 9:15 p.m. on Valentine's Day. Admission is $5 per person, with beer, wine, champagne,

soft drinks, light snacks, popcorn and desserts sold in the cafe.

Reservations are accepted by phone at 837-0376 or by e-mail a day ahead at

info@thescreeningroom.net, but "we keep a certain amount of seats open so people can still

walk in," says Golibersuch.

Just to keep things fresh, he'll start the weekend with a film about a breakup. "Sita

Sings the Blues" will be screened at 7:30 tonight.

A little art

Being on a tight budget is no reason to deprive yourself of culture. Art openings are

generally free and offer drinks and snacks as well as a chance to see good art and meet the

artist.

And an event tonight at 464 Gallery, at 464 Amherst St., offers all of the above with a

romantic twist. The gallery celebrates its one-year anniversary with a "Romance" event from 6

to 11 p.m. today. Those who attend will see the works of the gallery's member artists, and

will be invited to cut out a paper heart and write a loving sentiment on it. The hearts will

be gathered into a display, titled "What's in Your Heart?" that will decorate the windows of

the gallery for three weeks.

Owner Marcus L. Wise, a photographer, says last year's opening, dubbed "Bad Love," offered a

similar interactive event, which people liked. Being able to create their own pieces "gives

people a sense of ownership, even people who are not artists, to make a little piece of art

for the night."

Tonight's opening also marks the first anniversary of the gallery's opening. In its first

year on the Buffalo's growing gallery scene, the art and retail space has hosted more than 40

shows and events, from last year's Valentine's Day-themed grand opening and its participation

in the Infringement Festival to a town hall meeting on the arts with mayoral candidates

Michael P. Kearns and Byron W. Brown. Its artist membership, which started out at around 10,

has ballooned to more than 60.

Wine, soft drinks and light snacks will be available tonight, and those who attend can

peruse jewelry for sale and hear live classical guitar music by Ray Lorigo.

Whether it's a stroll around Niagara Falls or a tender sentiment written on a paper heart,

the most memorable romantic gestures can be both free and priceless.