Valentines Day on a Budget

I know, we are still about a month away from Valentines Day, but wanted to give some ideas to everyone if you are struggling for something that doesn’t cost a lot or even none at all.  I know that everyone will say that money doesn’t matter in finding a gift, but sometimes if you want the “right” gift like a necklace or earrings or even going out to dinner, you can be spending a few hundred dollars in a matter of minutes.

My philosophy when it comes to something that you celebrate with loved ones, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, or even kids, is that the most important thing is that you get to spend another day/night/year with them.  For me it is the thought that counts. You could make me a homemade dinner and we could stay home and watch a movie and that would be great.  I’m easy going and those little things with my wife is what makes me the happiest.  But, as we know, some people enjoy going out to dinner, having a special gift, or making an amazing moment that you will get to enjoy for years and these some ideas that can help.

Romantic Ideas

1.  Write a love letter (and send it in the mail)….

to your own home or to your spouse’s work addressed to them with no return address. Tell them how much you love them, what makes you the happiest, and how much they mean to you.  All you need is a pen/pencil, a piece of paper, an envelope, and a stamp.  How inexpensive is that?

2. Make a treasure hunt

I think this can be one of the most fun things to do.  You can choose to be at the house or not when your significant other gets home from work, school, or running errands.  Make an entrance note for them when they come in the house for their first clue and tell them where their first surprise is.  You could use candy and give them a bunch of kisses (Hersheys of course), a new framed picture for them to put in their office or around the house, or even bake them some of their favorite cookies (if you are reading this wife, Peanut Butter would be great!).  But make it fun and challenging at the same time.  Don’t just do one gift and be done with it, you could do 5 or 10 different places in the house as long as you put thought into every one.  Now, if you are reading this and you are not married please stop reading……..I warned you.   If you are a guy and want to make it romantic for your wife, set up candles in the bedroom or bathroom, your spouse could have a nice bubble bath or you could give her a massage.

3. Make a Romantic Dinner

If you don’t already know your wife/husband’s favorite meal, now would be a good time to get it (even though you should already know).  Make a romantic dinner getaway.  We all know how expensive and crowed a restaurant is on Valentines Day and I know a lot of people including myself, want nothing to do with messing with the craziness.  Buy some cut flowers from your local grocery store that aren’t the over the top centerpieces and arrange them yourself in a vase or even a drinking glass if you don’t have a vase.  Set some candles up and dim the lights for when your sweetheart gets home.  You can even have a special note on the door when they get home about how amazing they are and how much you can’t wait to see them.  The main goal is, is make the night special.  Everyone makes dinner all the time at their house and you don’t want to just have another dinner.  Don’t rush to go and clean up the kitchen after dinner or start cleaning your plates, sit and relax and talk to them all night.  What’s it going to hurt?

4. Make a Gift Box with Past Memories in it

I’ve always been known for keeping things too long, like old ticket stubs from movies in my jacket pockets, or a receipt from a restaurant that my wife and I went to.  Take those items, find a box, wooden trinket box or Metal Jewelry Box With Beautiful Roses, at a place like Homegoods, TJ Max, Wal-Mart, and start putting those memories into it.  If you do this far enough in advance you can always pick up some neat little ideas that you wouldn’t have access to when it got cold, like a leaf from the first time you went to an orchard or the first place you went on a date together.  Get creative.  It doesn’t have to all be from the past.  Maybe you can put a self made “Gift Card” to a nice dinner for two at her favorite restaurant in the next few weeks.

5. Make a CD/New Playlist for their IPod/IPad/IPhone

I know this may be one of the more high school things that I may be suggesting but think about it this way.  Every time your significant other gets in their car and turns on that CD, they are thinking of you.  Even if you put it as a playlist and they start playing it at the gym while they are running, they think of you!  Not all the songs have to be Boys II Men or some cheesy love song that you heard in middle school, they can be every day normal songs that you know they love and that they will listen to.

6. Have a Picture Frame or Special Item Engraved

You may think this could get expensive but there are a lot of little shops and places online that will do custom engraving for a reasonable price.  One thing my wife did that I thought was really neat was find a lady on Etsy that custom screen printed a wood frame with a wood front to it with our wedding vows on it.  I think it cost less than $30.  But find their favorite quote or make up something special that you can have engraved like “Our 10th Valentines Day Anniversary” or “I’ll love you always and forever.”

These are just a few of the ideas that I think that could make for an amazing Valentines Day with that special someone.  I’m sure there are thousands of ideas that people have or they have created but these could be a good starting point for someone looking to do it on a budget.  I welcome all comments and ideas on this topic and hope to get some more great ideas for people over the next few weeks.  Remember two things while you do it though, BE CREATIVE and MAKE IT SPECIAL!

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