You don't need movie star megabucks to inject some A-list living into your relationship though, what you do need is enthusiasm, a touch of style and a bit of effort to help you put the spark back into your love life. Even a takeaway curry can be transformed into something special when you have the know-how.
A touch of style
Glamour starts with attitude and approach. If you want to eat your dinner out of a foil container, with a plate perched on your knees in front of EastEnders, wearing an old tracksuit and a green face mask, then that's fine. But if you fancy something with a bit more sparkle, think presentation.
Looking the part
Make yourself look good. You don't have to don full make-up and a cocktail frock but there are plenty of options between slob and supermodel. Set the table, decant the food into attractive dishes and serve it on nice plates; add some background music and candlelight, and hey presto, delivery curry becomes a meal worth lingering over.
Food presentation
The Japanese believe that we eat with the eyes first, so presenting anything well enhances the experience. Even if you're an atrocious cook, you can still serve ready-meals with style. If you're inexperienced but willing to experiment, keep the recipes and the way you lay them out simple. Dusting a plate with a few dried herbs or garnishing a dish with a sprig or two of fresh herbs can make a world of difference.
Dining out
The majority of restaurants - even the really posh ones - do set-price meals. For example, in London you can have lunch or early supper at The Ritz - which boasts arguably the most opulent and extravagant decoration in the UK - for £37 a head. Bibendum (along with all other Conran restaurants), the Atlantic Bar & Grill, One O One (a must for fish lovers), the Cinnamon Club and the achingly hip eateries at the Sanderson and St Martin's Lane hotels in London all offer really good value-for-money deals. Obviously there are restrictions - usually the time you can dine. But some restaurants tie in their deals with some form of entertainment. For example, you can dine at Ichizen and get VIP tickets to Club Fantastic at Sound for just £30.
If you fancy going somewhere, don't be embarrassed to ask about cheap deals. Outside the capital there are often even better deals to be had, such as £30 per head for the à la carte menu at Simply Heathcotes, one of Manchester's premier restaurants. Many regional hotels offer combined supper and stay packages that are great value for money and add that little extra touch of luxury.
Join the club
Another great wheeze for getting VIP treatment and all the best offers first is to become a supporter or friend of an organisation, such as a theatre, gallery or club. There's nothing quite like champagne receptions and exclusive previews to make you and your man feel like stars.
Further afield there are no end of discounted flights and weekends away in seriously glamorous locations on offer. For an extra special treat, whisk him off for a weekend in Nice at £199 (through www.lastminute.com). Verona is cheaper than Venice, less touristy and has bags of style. Alternatively hunt out places that aren't well known - there's nothing more glamorous than discovery.
You might not run to oysters on the average salary, but the world is certainly more than your cockle if you're willing to hunt out the bargains.
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