By Lashonda Stinson Curry
Staff writer Gainesville Sun

Showing how much you care shouldn't break the bank.

For Valentine's Day, you might feel the need to pull out all the stops, but it's not necessary. Sure, some people want to celebrate the holiday in a lavish way, but others prefer to go the low-key route. Whether you fit into these descriptions or fall somewhere in the middle, here are a few romantic date ideas for Valentine's Day or the weekend before that suit every budget.

$ (under $20)

At 3 pm February 13, grab a lawn chair or blanket and find a spot about 100 feet from the Century Tower on the University of Florida campus. For 50 minutes, sit (or lie) back and enjoy the beautiful, melodic bell sounds of the carillon as part of the free Sunday Afternoon Concert Series. With nice weather in the forecast, bring some food to go along with the music and you have all the components for a perfect afternoon picnic. (237-3181,www.arts.ufl.edu/carillon)

After a home-cooked meal, snuggle up with your honey and enjoy a movie night on the cheap. Now through February 14, Redbox is running a special promotion: rent two items at once from a kiosk and get a promo code for a free one-night rental. The code expires one week after you receive it. “The Romantics,” a romantic “dramedy” will be released Tuesday, but you can also watch the love story “Letters to Juliet” or the tear-jerker “Toy Story 3.” Feel like laughing? Check out “Date Night” with Steve Carell and Tina Fey or you can pick the obvious choice, last year's romantic comedy “Valentine's Day,” directed by Garry Marshall and featuring an all-star cast.

Put on your dancing shoes for the Valentine's Day Swing Dance on February 14 at The Thomas Center, 302 NE Sixth Ave. Hosted by Santa Fe's Big Band, couples can get swing dance lessons from 6:30 to 7:30 pm and then put their skills to the test at the dance, starting at 7:30 pm Admission is $10 and includes finger foods, punch and sweet snacks. All proceeds will go toward the end-of-the-year tour for the Big Band. (395-5313)

$$ ($25-$40)

A romantic dinner is great for Valentine's, but brunch in a charming setting is just as nice. Sisters in the Haile Village Center offers a lovely brunch Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm Enjoy patio dining or get a cozy table inside to sip a complimentary mimosa and indulge in delicious breakfast dishes including crepes and savory sandwiches — all made with fresh, organic ingredients. The menu also caters to vegans. Entrees are $6.95 to $11.95, with a la carte items $1.95 to $5.95. (379-0281, www.oliveyoueatwell.com)

Another sweet, romantic brunch spot is Paramount Grill, 12 SW First Ave. The fine dining restaurant has brunch 10 am -3 pm Sunday featuring a delectable menu of French toast, pancakes, omelettes, salads and sandwiches from $8 to $17. (378- 3398, www.paramountgrill.com)

Tap into your creative side and create art with your Valentine during a “Date Night” session at Corks & Colors, a paint-it-yourself studio. The session is 7 pm February 14 and costs $25 per person. They supply all the materials and you can bring your own food and beverages (that includes wine, beer, etc.) Each person gets their own canvas to work on the “Funky Tree” painting. Paint it separately or join the canvases to create the painting together. Talk about romantic! The studio is in Santa Fe College's Center for Innovation and Economic Development, 530 W. University Ave. (575-4069, www.corks-colors.com)

$$$ ($50 and above)

The Gainesville Chamber Orchestra will perform some of the most romantic music ever written during “Tchaikovsky!!! Music for a Passionate Valentine” at 7:30 pm.

Friday at the University Auditorium. Performances include the “Romeo and Juliet” overture and the Symphony No. 4 in f minor, both composed by Russian Romantic era composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Tickets for the general public are $25, $20 for seniors age 65 and up and $15 for students. (392-2787, www.performingarts.ufl.edu) 

The popular bed and breakfast Sweetwater Branch Inn, 625 E. University Ave., will host a Valentine's Day four-course dinner for $45 per person. Bring your own beer or wine and pay a corking fee. (373-6760, www.sweetwater.com)

Fill your heart with romance and your stomach with a full meal at the chic, contemporary and cozy 101 Downtown in Union Street Station. The restaurant's Valentine's Day prix fixe dinner includes an appetizer, soup, salad, entree, dessert and champagne toast. Cost is $55 per person. Check out the evening's diverse menu choices at www.101gainesville.com. Call 376-4177 to make reservations or book online.

If going out on a Monday isn't your thing, Saboré is offering its Valentine's prix fixe menu Friday through Monday. For $60 per person, get a three-course meal and glass of champagne. If you book for Friday or Saturday, add late-night dancing to the evening. The restaurant, splashed in bold colors of red, pink and yellow, is located at 13005 SW First Road in the Tioga Town Center. (332-2727, www.saborerestaurant.com)

For wine lovers, O!O Tapas and Tinis has a special “Romance Wine Dinner” on Feb. 13. For $75 per person, dine on a six-course meal with each course accompanied with a different wine. On Febuary 14, they will offer a $55 prix fix menu with four courses. If you don't want the entire meal, there's the option of ordering the dishes individually. The restaurant is located at 2725 SW 91st St. in the Publix shopping plaza in Haile Plantation. (331-6620)