Valentine's Day finally falls on a Saturday this year, so you have a whole day to say, I love you. This year there's no excuse to be boring, and that can create pressure to perform. To help, I've matched five affordable activities to a meal you can make with your date. Cooking together is an intimate, fun way to spend your evening -- and costs less than the fixed-price menus around town.

1.  The Dessert First  Breakfast in bed has been done and done, but a heart-shaped cake in the morning tells your special person that this is not an ordinary day. This is borrowed from a birthday tradition in my friend's family, but I love the idea of starting Valentine's Day with dessert. Be sneaky and bake it the night before or even get up in the middle of the night if that's the only time to bake unseen.

Try:  Chocolate Heart Layer Cake

If you have nutritional standards for your breakfast, I applaud you. Try one of these breakfast-y winners...
Quick breakfast wraps
Overnight oatmeal
Multi-Grain Waffles

2.  The Adventure Route  If you're an active couple, get an early gauge on the weather.  If it'll be warm, find out about a pretty hike nearby. If it's going to be too cold, locate an indoor batting cage or putting green.  Then come home and make fancy burgers to eat along with a bottle of wine.

Try: Inside-Out Burgers
Wasabi Salmon Burgers

3.  The Art Scene  Check out the latest at your local museum and get inspired to design your own personal pizzas at home. Be sure to buy enough toppings so that you can "express yourself." And make the dough the night before or buy it at the store.  Be romantic and ditch convention by serving it as a romantic Italian picnic on the living room floor.  If you have a fireplace, use it.

Try:  Martha Stewart's Heart Shaped Pizzas

4.  The Peace Train  Maybe it sounds funny to you or maybe you're an old pro, but couple's yoga means you do lots of touching and giggling, and trust building. Your local studio probably offers a couple's class on the 14^th. After, head home for a wholesome meal to honor your workout.  See if there's a farmers' market where you can pick up some key ingredients on the way.

Try: Five-Spice Turkey and Lettuce Wraps
Tofu Cutlets Marsala

5.  The Relationship Retrospective  This one's for those who've been at it for a while.  On your computer make your love a DVD slideshow of pictures of you two and set it to a meaningful song.  Watch it together and then prepare a meal with your partner's favorite foods. Try a dish that he or she loved from a trip you took together.  Tracking down a hard-to-get cheese or pastry will make the meal even more special.

Try: Wolfgang's New York Steak With Mushrooms
Fettuccine Alfredo With Asparagus

Check out more tips on How Not to Strike Out on Valentine's Day.