Frugal Valentine Treats

Instead of paying a lot for a bakery, I make my own heart shaped brownies. Make a pan of brownies and either cut one large heart free-hand, or use a cookie cutter and make individual hearts. Decorate with frosting & conversation hearts or other Valentine candy. Delish! I don't like to give too much candy, so I may give my older kids a coupon book, ordered from the Current catalog. Good for a hug, movie rental, day spent together, etc. And maybe a paperback book, Valentine boxers (for the boys), or Valentine socks. Little kids love books & inexpensive videos or little toys that are inexpensive. -- Karel from MN

Years ago I bought a heart-shaped cake pan. I make cinnamon rolls and put them in the heart pan to rise and bake. Then I turn them out, frost with white or pink frosting and there is a novel, inexpensive, great-tasting Valentine's Day treat! -- Katie from ID

I read in a magazine to make rice crispy treat put them in a small funnel to shape a larger Hershey's kiss...remove from funnel, wrap it in aluminum foil and put tag onto saying 'be mine,' 'your cool,' etc. -- Denise from MA

Two Valentine's Day ideas-simple, but add a special touch:

1. Bake a 2 layer cake, one layer in round pan, other in square. When cooled, cut round one in half & add to 2 connecting sides of the square to form a heart-shaped cake, ready for icing & decorating.
2. Send your addressed & stamped valentine inside a larger envelope to: POSTMASTER, Attn: Valentine's USPS Loveland, Colorado 80538. If they receive it a week in advance of Valentine's day, your sweetie(s) will receive their valentine postmarked with a "Love, CO" postmark. -- Ann, 33, from PA