What is romance?

Basically what is seen as romantic is something that strays from the ordinary, something that is spontaneous and creative. Yet what one person sees as romantic may be seen as ridiculous by another. Romance really is a matter of personal taste, and the more geared to the object of your affection the gesture is, the more likely you will hit the right side of the line. There are no hard and fast rules for getting it right, but considering the following will steer you in the right direction:

• Consider how long you have been together - in the early throes of a relationship a big gesture may scare the hell out of them and it is far easier to go wrong when you don't know your lover that well. Go for something fun or something simple. A pound shop gift, a picnic or a date go-carting.
• When thinking of gifts try and cater to your partner as an individual rather than jumping on the bandwagon of what is supposed to be romantic. Traditional red roses are boring, be a little more creative, find out what they like. A single stem of their favourite flower is much more likely to win them over. Homemade things are also bound to be higher on the romance scale than shop bought. Put a little thought in.
• The same goes for dates and weekends away - plan surprises you know they will love. Think of more creative things to do than the usual dinner and a movie.

Just to help you out a little more here is our cheese scale for all things romantic:

Mild cheddar

• Red roses: traditional yet dull. Some people don't even like roses. Pick flowers that suit them rather than going for run of the mill, it shows more thought.
• Filling car with balloons: sweet, although it may just embarrass the hell out of them and isn't much good if they ride a bike.
• Making photo album charting your relationship: OK if filled monthly rather than minute-by-minute.
• Writing I love you on the bathroom mirror.
• Making a card for no reason at all.

Camembert

• Serenading: romantic if drunk, cheesy if sober.
• Dedicating a song to them on the radio/ VH1 /MTV (although if it's Bryan Adams or Puppy Love then this hits the pure cheese factor).

Stinking Gorgonzola

• Teddy bears with 'I love you' hearts: think about the recipient, can you really imagine them liking this? If they do, do you really want to be with them?
• Love letters, scented with lipstick kisses - no, no, no, no, no.
• Poems: If you must attempt to be the next Laureate, keep them short and sweet as pages and pages may just end up in the bin.
• Chat up lines - not big, not clever, and not romantic.
• Underwear: I think you're confusing lust with love.

Updated: 12/04/2010