Hollywood has us believing that grand romantic gestures are what love is all about. Having dinner on a private yacht sailing down a moonlit river would make for a pretty romantic evening, but that’s out of the realm of possibility for most of us, unfortunately.

This week we’d like to talk about appreciating the small romantic gestures in your marriage. In fact, a study released in 2016 of over 5,000 people on enduring love, funded by the Economic & Social Research Council, revealed that it was the small gestures that had the largest impact on lasting love. The researchers acknowledged that grand gestures were appreciated, but simply saying "I love you" offered more value. So let’s make romance simple and fun! Here are the ground rules.

Actually, just one simple rule: The romantic gestures cannot cost any money. You’re going to have to get creative. No copping out by buying a box of chocolates.

Here's how you can surprise your spouse with three small romantic gestures.

Romantic Gesture 1. Make each other something with your bare hands. It’s time for a little arts and crafts. You can draw something, make a little piece of jewelry out of paper clips, or make a scrapbook of cute pictures. Don’t panic if you’re not very artistic, neither of us are. It’s the thought and effort that counts.

Romantic Gesture 2. Give each other something you found. Let the treasure hunt begin! Find and give your husband or wife something that signifies your love for them. Wild flowers, some really pretty sea shells, or a spot in the park that is isolated and romantic. There are little romantic gestures all around us, you just need to open your eyes to the possibilities.

Romantic Gesture 3. Say or write something romantic for each other. Words from our hearts are the simplest and most romantic gifts we can give each other. You could write a poem, proclaim your love with a few simple words, or if you're feeling brave perform a rap song. How it’s done is not important, it’s what’s said.

Your Love Trip will have many romantic stops along the way. The elaborate gestures are great for special occasions, but it’s the simple and fun romance that really bonds us as couples.

Chris and Katie are the Love Tripper's www.lovetripping.com. They have been together for over a decade, and got married in April 2014. They believe that the key to a healthy long-lasting relationship is constant work and effort. The Love Tripper's share their advice on how to keep that sexy fire burning, avoiding pointless arguments, and finding a deeper love for your partner every day. Love is a trip, enjoy the ride!