TIP THREE: ONCE UPON A ROMANTIC DINNER

Let me remember the last dining out I had with my darling. Wow! It was such a night to remember; though she jilted me months later. Reason? She had been double-dating all the while we were together. But the only reason that still keeps her from hanging up on me anytime I ring her up these days, is when I remind her about our last dinner out. She goes like, " You know, I almost choked when I saw that golden bracelet around the wine bottle", " my favourite part was the ride to the dinner", and on and on.

What am I saying? Make an effort to breathe a little extra romance into your next dinner out. You won't be sorry!

* Send your partner an invitation with a song by you or a song she/he loves very much, through telegram or MMS mesaging. It will be fun to receive at work!

* If your partner eads a certain newspaper everyday, run an advert in that newspaper inviting only him/her to the dinner. If you don't get a response by the end of the day, refer your partner to that paper and tell him/her there's something "INTERESTING" about that paper!

* Keep the evening a surprise. Hire a taxi ( or a limo ) to pick him/her up from work, or from home. If the vehicle will be waiting in a public place, have the driver hold a large sign showing your partner's name.

Call yourr partner, alerting her to something "unusual" in the building. Let the driver bring her to the restaurant without answering any questions.

* Arrive at least a half-hour early and arrange everything with the manager, or your server for the evening. Provide clear instructions as to exactly when each surprise will happen according to sequence.

* Prepare a gift for your partner to wear: a piece of jewelry, tie clip, flower, hat, or whatever. Place the item(s) in a box along with a note asking your partner to wear the item(s).

FOR MEN ONLY (YOU LADIES COULD TRY IT OUT IF YOU COMFORTABLE WITH IT ) : Here is a wonderful link to a "Romantic Dinner Dressing-up Game" for free. Guys, see if you have the dress sense it takes to make your sweetheart(s) look and feel cherished, appreciated and of course, DASHING!

" www.y8.com/games/Romantic_Dinner_Dressup "

* Write a love letter for your darling partner to read on the ride to the restaurant.

* Pre-arramge a portable stereo with tape or CD of your favourite romantic songs in it. Hide it under the table. During the dinner, press "PLAY" and get carried "AWAY!!!"

* Have a bouquet of flowers or a single rose in a vase brought to your table during the meal along with a note reading, " To the most beautiful/handsome woman/man in the restaurant".

* Sneak a gift into the food making sure that it can't be swallowed inadvertently. this is a great way to propose. For instance, a bracelet around a wine bottle (I used this one!), a plastic egg with a ring inside, a pair of theatre tickets or plane tickets for a vacation hidden in the napkin... BE CREATIVE!

* Prepay before your partner arrives. When you ask for the bill, let the server refuse to take money because, " You're such a beautiful couple."

* If you're low on budget, instead of hiring a taxi or limo, you could ask a friend to paly your chauffer for just one night! (That is, IF he won't be busy too... you understand?)