Roses are red, violets are blue. If you’re scared Valentine’s Day is going to cost too much, don’t worry…it doesn’t have to! This Valentine’s Day, show your sweetie a lovely holiday without spending a fortune. To me, the most expensive gift is usually not the most thoughtful one. I, just like many others I’m sure, would rather receive a meaningful gift than one that has a large price tag. Here are a few ways to enjoy Valentine’s Day on a budget.
Skip the card
I really don’t like paying the huge $4 or $5 price on greeting cards that will most likely end up in a drawer or trash. If I can find them on sale and get a great deal with a coupon that’s wonderful, but you won’t find me paying full price on a card from the store. And here’s why…there are many websites, such as Cardstore, that allow you to create a personalized card, complete with text and photos, for less than that hefty price you’re paying in stores for a generic card. Or make your own card! I’m not saying to get too crazy, but come on ladies…imagine how impressed you would be if you received favorite photo with a hand-written love note on the back from your sweetie. Now that’s something that wouldn’t end up in the trash! 😉
Have a romantic night at home
Sometimes life is so hectic that enjoying an evening in together might be the most meaningful gift you can give. Find a sitter for the kids and just truly enjoy your time together. Decide on a meal you can prepare together, maybe something you’ve been wanting to try but couldn’t put the time into with the kids running around. Pull out the fine china for this special meal, get dressed up if you’d like, and actually take your time, have a conversation, and enjoy dinner…something that might not happen on everyday hectic weeknights!
Look for deals
If you plan to go out on Valentine’s Day look for restaurants offering special dinner deals. Look for coupons and vouchers online at local or even national daily deal sites, such as Groupon and LivingSocial, to help you save on your meal.
Create your own special day
Some coupons and vouchers won’t be valid on holidays so you might have to go either the day before or day after Valentine’s Day. This usually isn’t a problem for us and we enjoy that it’s not so crowded and get to choose from the full menu instead of a limited one which is sometimes offered on Valentine’s Day.
Start the date early
If possible, a great option to save is to start your Valentine’s Day date early. It’s no secret that lunch is less expensive than dinner and it probably won’t be as crowded either. And the savings are usually pretty significant too! For example, at my favorite local hibachi restaurant it’s only around $11 for almost the same exact meal, cooked in front of you, just like you would have at dinner for close to $25! Heading to the movies early to grab a matinee could also save you a few bucks.
Enjoy dessert at home
If you would like to go out it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Go out for dinner, but come home and enjoy a dessert you made ahead of time with a bottle of wine while you cuddle on the couch to watch a movie. Take a look at this great list of Valentine’s Day movies for $5 or less. Making some chocolate covered strawberries is simple and costs WAY less than buying them from the store 😉
Less means just as much as more
It’s the thought that counts, especially on Valentine’s Day, for so many things. A few roses, or even a single rose, would show the same amount of thought and consideration as a whole expensive dozen of them. A favorite king-sized candy bar would be enjoyed just as much as a fancy heart-shaped box containing only a few chocolates that costs more.
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No matter what you plan to do this Valentine’s Day, set a budget first so you don’t end up stressed over a holiday that you should be enjoying with your loved one. Decide what you would like to spend more on and what alternatives you have, so you can include everything you would like on this special day for your love.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I love this so much, Kara! You are right on – more times than not LESS is so much more than more. What do we remember most, anyway? A cheesy store bought card or a thoughtful experience, shared? Thank you for commenting on my Let Your Words Flow post about believing in yourself. If you write anything from it, please let me know! HUGS!
PS – I pinned this to my Valentine’s Goodies board on Pinterest! 🙂
Great post! Sharing some SITS girls love #lovetribes
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Less always means more. It is the littel things that mean so much! I also always find cards to be so expensive and wasteful! Money better speant elsewhere
I agree with you on these ideas! I think that a store bought card and a box of heart shaped candy is “phoning it in”. I much prefer a more tailored and thoughtful gift. Sharing the SITS comment love!
Agree! I’m not big on spending a lot for Valentine’s Day. We almost always have dinner at home with the kids and I make a fun dessert. And I always tell my husband skip the flowers and card and just get me chocolate 🙂
Great ideas. Valentine’s Day certainly doesn’t need to be expensive. I personally would prefer a quiet candlelight dinner to going out – It would be fun cooking together and lingering over our meal with a great bottle of wine. Coming over from the SITS group, have a great week!
Great post! Every year I tell my husband that I don’t need anything and every year he buys me (very thoughtful) flowers. Thankfully over time he’s realized that I like the cheaper grocery store bouquets rather than roses. So yay for saving! Sending love from SITS Comments Love!
I totally agree! You don’t have to spend that much money on Valentine’s Day at all! Since we have young kids, I love to bake cookies or make gifts for our loved ones. In all honesty, I would love to just have a special dinner (at home) with my hubby, and watch some TV with each other…or do other things 😉 Dropping in from SITS Comment Love
Awesome suggestions. I know we will be enjoying our Valentine’s Day at home, as we can’t afford gifts OR a babysitter! 😉 New friend stopping by from SITS.
Great tips! My husband & I have been married almost 12 years… For our wedding we received a fondue pot as a gift, and the next year we started a tradition of doing fondue on Vday. 12 years later we’re still doing it! We love that we have our own way to celebrate and that it doesn’t involve expensive dinners or big crowds. 🙂 We also skip cards too.
Valentine’s Day is so over commercialized so I really like this post. A nice special dinner cooked at home is so much more meaningful than cards and flowers.
#SITSBlogging
Oh…this is fabulous! Great tips and so romantic! Sending #SITSBlogging love!
There’s be lots of great advice on blogs today and this is no exception. Great tips 🙂
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We definitely don’t go all out on Valentine’s Day since our anniversary is also in February. And I absolutely love Cardstore! I have been getting almost all of my cards from them since 2012. I love their designs, being able to personalize my cards and the prices are competitive.
I can’t stand that cards are so expensive! I love to go out to dinner, but I also love cooking and buying a bottle of wine (for 1/2 the price of a restaurant).
I have always made cards for my boyfriend, but I bought a card this year and he was actually really excited about it, mostly because it being different made it special I think. So, not something I’ll be doing all the time, but probably something I’ll splurge on occasionally 🙂 Great advice!
These are great tips! We usually will go out to eat, but I am definitely thinking it will be on Saturday or Sunday – or even Monday. I hate the crowds and limited menu! Thanks for sharing your wisdom. It really is about quality time together! Coming by from SITS comment love!
This is a great post and right on time. #sitsbloging
Happy Valentine’s to you too! Great post! #SITSblogging
Happy Valentines Day! I think the best gifts are the ones you put your thought into. Create a card, write a poem. Buy a single rose and cook a special dinner. Think of what your loved one likes and get creative.