Valentine’s Day is a great holiday to let your special someone know how much you care. Whether you’re going out on your first date or you’ve already passed your golden anniversary, there’s a lot of amazing gifts to choose from that will make your date feel spoiled. However, if you’re on a pretty tight budget you may find that this holiday can leave you stressed to the max. With expensive gifts surrounding you, it may feel as if you have no choice but to comply with the corporate prices. There’s a few ways you can shop for your sweetheart without worrying about the negative effect on your bank account though. With a few shopping alterations and a little creativity you’ll give your Valentine a gift that won’t be forgotten any time soon.
1. Local Flowers
Flowers, especially roses, are a go-to gift for couples young and old. They’re also a simple gift for anyone who may have forgotten that Valentine’s Day was on its way. From street vendors to bulk stores, you won’t have a problem finding flowers in your area; however, you may have a problem with how much the flowers cost. Before you do any shopping you should check out your local farmer’s market. Many farmers will have flowers in abundance for the special day and you may end up walking away with an extraordinary deal. Shopping this way will also help your local farmers have a little extra cash to buy their Valentine something special too! If you can’t find a deal at your Farmer’s Market then try a warehouse store. These stores will typically offer bulk deals which will allow you to get more for your money. If you don’t want to buy a lot of roses then you may consider splitting the costs with friends so you each get a small bouquet for your dates. While you’re shopping look for flowers with tight buds as this means they’ll last much longer than the holiday. You should also ask for plant food to help keep the flowers vibrant for longer.
2. DIY Gift
If you’re really hurting for money then there’s a wide assortment of gifts you can make that may even be appreciated more than one you buy. For instance, if you can’t afford flowers then take it to the next level by creating origami flowers. They’re free to make if you already have paper and you can get a free tutorial online. Another easy option is to create your own card. You can easily do this with supplies from home and if you want to step it up a notch add your own personal poem inside. If you feel your creative energy flowing then draw, paint or sculpt something special for the one you love. This will make for a great piece to display in the home throughout the year and will remind your special someone how much you care. Another great idea is to have your favorite photo of the two of you professionally printed. You can then make a special frame that’s filled with love. A coupon book is always a good gift option and you can fill it with anything you know your special someone will adore. Finally, you can create special love notes on Post Its and place them around the house for your partner to find throughout the day.
3. Homemade Meal
There’s nothing quite like home cooking and if your significant other tends to do the majority of the cooking and cleaning in the home then this could be the biggest treat of all. Try to master your partner’s favorite meal or cook something you know you can pull off without triggering the fire detector. Your special someone will be excited with your effort even if it isn’t a gourmet meal. To make things more romantic you can easily light a few candles, dim the lights and play some smooth music that both of you will enjoy. You could also pack finger foods for a romantic picnic under the stars. No matter how you choose to present this meal you’ll save a whole lot of money and hassle opposed to spending a fortune on a restaurant that is totally booked.
4. Romantic Desserts
A box of chocolates is another go-to treat that will leave your special someone satisfied. However, these boxes can be exceptionally pricey and may even leave you too broke to do anything else on the holiday. A great alternative to the classic gift is to make your own romantic dessert. There’s a lot of sweet treats to choose from so you can work around your partner’s needs in order to make the day special. One classic and very easy choice is chocolate covered strawberries. You can find rapid hardening chocolate in most stores or you can make up your own dipping sauce or simply use a fondue pot. Another easy alternative is pairing the strawberries with whipped cream which will cut down on the price all the more. Red velvet cake is another great alternative which can be whipped up from scratch, made from a box or purchased from most grocery stores or bakeries. If you’re still looking for ideas to make the perfect dessert, there’s lots of recipes online to guide you!
5. Be Cheesy
A lot of people go for the simple stuffed toy when it comes to Valentine’s Day surprises. This can be incredibly expensive though and often ends up going to charity or taking up space in your attic or storage unit. Rather than going for this option try to get a little cheesy with your gift. For instance, if the two of you ended up bonding over a movie when you began dating then pick up this movie. You could also plan a special date by ordering the same food you had during your first date. Another special option is a knick-knack that has something to do with your relationship. For instance, if you share the love of a video game then purchase a figure that represents a romantic element from the game. The same can be said from any hobby ranging from sports to the orchestra. These types of gifts won’t just cut down on the cost of your gift but will mean more to your date than a 10 foot bear ever could.
6. Gift Cards
If you’re one of the many people who have no idea what to get your special someone then a gift card is probably the way to go. Gift cards are especially great if you want to give your partner clothing or items that you know they would rather pick out. The best thing is, you can buy gift cards online at discount websites so you can get even more for your money. If you want to go out to eat somewhere special then it’s a great idea to go this route too. It will allow you to pay less for each gift card you buy so you can enjoy the savings at a nice restaurant you and your Valentine’s date have always wanted to try. Another great thing about gift cards is, if you forget the holiday is coming up you can pick them up last minute and print them out before your partner even realizes you left the room!
7. Spa
Nothing says you appreciate your special someone quite like a trip to the spa. Try to look around online and find a package deal for you and your partner to enjoy a couple’s day together. You could also just look for an exciting deal that your loved one would like to try alone. Of course, if you’re low on money then you can cheaply create your own spa at home. It’s a lot easier than you think so don’t disregard the concept if you think you don’t have the time or money. Although it may not be spa oriented, run a hot bubble bath for your Valentine and top off the mood with some soothing scents and candle light. You can also offer back and feet rubs to help relieve tension. There’s a lot of home spa kits available online or in your local department store too, so if you want to go all out with the project then the pre-made kits are a great place to start and won’t cost you a fortune.
8. Shop Early
Valentine’s Day is the season of diamonds and luxurious gifts. If you want to go down that route this holiday and still want to save some money then you will definitely need to start shopping early. There will be a ton of sales for you to choose from during this time, but not all of them will actually be worth your time. Shopping ahead will allow you to look at the prices prior to the sales discounts so you’ll know exactly how much you’re saving. It will also give you time to surf the sales so you can scower local dealers as well as those online to see who can give you the best price. Typically, you may actually get a better deal online so you’ll want to be an early bird to ensure your gift will make it to you on time. The earlier you shop the more time you’ll be able to think over the purchase as well. You may be on the fence about the style or you may even need to do some research on the product itself. With time comes a more satisfying buy you’ll be proud to present to your loved one.
9. Mini Getaway
Going on a trip is a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with someone you love. Of course, taking a trip also means spending a whole lot of money, especially if you decide to leave at the last minute. Rather than planning out a faraway getaway try to enjoy a holiday nearby. For instance, try to plan a quick escape to a nearby city or town. You can spend the day exploring an area you may not know, enjoying time in a romantic hotel and dining on local cuisine. It may not measure up to the Bahamas or other tropical adventures, but it will refresh you and provide you with the romantic trip you’d hoped to find. You can also enjoy time with your significant other while camping. You’ll love watching the stars without having to strain your eyes to see past all the city lights. The best thing is, with a quick getaway you won’t have to take as much time off work, so you’ll save more without losing out!
10. Postpone
There’s no law saying you have to celebrate Valentine’s Day on the actual day. In fact, if you and your date decide to celebrate it the day after then you may be in store for a lot more savings than you can imagine. For starters, flowers, boxes of chocolates and other classic Valentine’s Day gifts will be on sale as soon as the holiday is over. You’ll be able to spend more money on wines and other treats because the special Valentine’s Day packages will go straight to the clearance bin. You also won’t have to wait for hours to get into a restaurant which means spending less money on appetizers and drinks to tide you over until you can sit down and enjoy a meal. If you’re planning a getaway then Valentine’s Day customers won’t be taking up the rooms, so you’ll pay less and will be able to enjoy the amenities all the more!
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to leave you hurting for money. With these ten gift ideas you should come out of the holiday with savings you and your special someone will be proud of! So, this year show you care by exercising your new frugal skills!
