The dictionary defines romance as a love affair, to woo, a relationship between two lovers….

 To me that defines “A Romance” but what about romance or being romantic?  I don’t believe there is a definition for this.  Why?  Quite simply because when one person says I need more romance or I wish my husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend were more romantic what they are wishing for is likely to be very different from the next person that utters those same words.  For some of us the most romantic thing our special someone could do for us it to put a big red bow around the latest and greatest power tool or that time saving piece of kitchen equipment we have been coveting for ages.  For others it’s the obvious things that spring to mind when the topic of romance surfaces, flowers, romantic dinners a weekend away without the children.  For me romance is all about my husband planning something as a surprise.  I love surprises and the anticipation of wondering just what it is he has up his sleeve.  For others though not knowing what to expect is torture, no fun at all and therefore not in the least conducive to romance. 

 So how do you get romance right, when there is no set formula that fits all?  Well, while there is no blanket formula there are two things that are in my experience standard criteria when planning a romantic gesture.  The first is time and the second putting yourself in their shoes.  Whatever the Romantic Gesture is from Power tools to flowers from kitchen appliances to spa treatments the one common factor is time.  You have taken the time to organise something (and this is where the putting yourself in their shoes comes in) that you know they will enjoy.  That is selfless and that in my opinion is what romance is all about.