You’ve been dating someone for a few months, or maybe just a few weeks, and are a fairly new couple. What should you do for Valentine’s Day? You don’t want to send the wrong message and go over the top by spending too much, but on the other hand, you don’t want to go the cheap route and disappoint your significant other. The main focus here is to impress your sweetheart.

Valentine’s Day is meant to be very romantic. You want to put thought into it and have your significant other gleaming with smiles for the rest of the night, so here are some loving ideas to leave a lasting impression and make the day memorable:

If you’re looking to just have fun and not too serious a night, then plan a double date with friends. It will keep the mood upbeat and relaxed, and you’ll still have a good time and be able to focus on each other.

If you are looking for a more serious, romantic night, then dinner and a movie may be a good choice. “Definitely Maybe” (a romantic comedy) debuts on Valentine’s Day and is one suggestion to get you in the mood for the occasion. Complement your film with an elegant dinner at a more upscale restaurant on Main Street in Ames, where you will be able to find an intimate setting to create the mood for the night.

Now that we have covered where you should go, what should you buy? You don’t want to spend too much money, since you are a new couple, but you don’t want to be cheap either. Since you have only been dating for a short time, buying each other something small is a good idea. You don’t want it to be too extravagant.

For the lady, maybe something along the lines of a gift certificate for a day at the spa or a cute stuffed animal. And for the gentlemen, maybe a gift certificate to his favorite store. You want to make it something thoughtful, but not too over the top.

So whether you are planning on just vegging out in the couch with your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day or turning up the heat and going out to a romantic dinner and a movie, remember that it’s the thought that counts.