At anytime of the year, it can be nice to be able to indiscriminately spend money on your significant other, or on someone new that you are wooing. Spending big, especially for a holiday like Valentine’s Day, seems to be what we are usually expected to do.
But not all of us have the necessary financial resources to go on a big spending spree. And big spending is not needed to show how you feel about someone special in your life. The good news is: You can have a great Valentine’s Day without spending a lot of money!
Retailers want you to spend (a lot of) your money, but there is no reason to buy into the hype. Love can’t be bought. If it can, it is probably something other than love.
For special days throughout the year, you should level up your game and try to do romantic things with and for your significant other, but spending gobs of cash is not at all necessary.
Try These Free Or Inexpensive Valentine’s Day Ideas:
1. Eat Dinner At Home, But Go Out For Drinks And Dessert.
Forget the reservations and the high cost of a meal on the town. Together, cook a delicious, romantic meal at home. After cooking, when you sit down to eat your creation, dress up like you were going out. Then, after dinner, head over to a nice bar for dessert or just order the dessert in. If the mood is right, why leave the house at all?
2. “That Which We Call A Rose…”
Find A Flower Option Besides Roses. Roses cost a small fortune especially on Valentine’s Day. Find another flower your significant other loves. Many people don’t like roses. Ask about their favorite flower.
- Tip: Do not wait for the last few days before Valentine’s Day to figure this out. This bit of info should be something that you already know.
3. Rent Romantic or “Romcom” Movies And Spend Your Evening At Home Together On The Couch.
It shouldn’t be too hard to find a list of romantic or romantic comedy movies that you can both agree on. Even if you don’t, maybe it is your time to give in and watch one of their movie choices? You don’t even have to get dressed up, but you could!. The popcorn is less expensive at home, too. You can even talk during the movie. And as we get older, being able to pause the movie for a bathroom run is a huge plus!
- If you are married, what may be a fun laugh would be to watch your wedding video. Really, after the first time, how many times have you watched it since?
4. Go To A Local Hotel Instead Of Taking A Trip.
Save on traveling expenses and visit a local hotel for the night. Consider finding one with a tub for two or with a jacuzzi! They may even have Valentine’s Day packages with dinner and a visit to their spa.
5. Have An Indoor Picnic.
Unless you’re in the south, it’s a little cold for an outdoor picnic in the middle of February. Clear out a space on the living room floor and have your picnic inside. Anything is possible. And if you have a fireplace, this is the time to stoke those embers, Romeo!
6. Look For Free Or Inexpensive Entertainment.
You can find quality entertainment on the cheap. Museums, local theater companies, art galleries, and food and wine tastings can all be both entertaining and inexpensive. Head out together to that craft show that they have been chasing after you to go to with them.
7. Use A Coupon.
Let’s be honest for a moment, here, a coupon might not go over well on a first or second date. However, if the two of you have been together for a while, that awkwardness should no longer exist. Both of you should realize that the money saved probably needs to be spent on something else.
8. Deliver Your Own Flowers.
The florist is more expensive than the grocery store or the farmer’s market. Get some ribbon, tie them up in a bow and deliver them yourself and enjoy the smile and hug you receive. Who knows? That ribbon may come in handy later on in the evening…
9. Pick A Different Day.
Valentine’s Day officially falls on February 14th, but why not consider celebrating the day after? Restaurants, flowers, and cards are usually all significantly less expensive the day after a holiday. You can avoid the crowds, too. But if you do, you should still somehow acknowledge Feb. 14th with a card or another small gift.
10. Write A Love Letter.
Everyone has a pen and a sheet of paper. Take a few minutes and put your romantic thoughts down on paper. It’s free, and you’ll score big points. But no texts, no memes and no emails, or at least, not only. Handwrite your note, sign it and date it. If you need to, type it up and print it.
11. Give Each Other A Massage.
Pick the music and the massage oils. Dim the lights, light a few candles and turn on some mood music. Let your fingers do the talking. Do we have to offer anymore advice then that? Where did that ribbon go? Time to bring out that feather? I mean, isn’t it nasty weather?
12. Make Your Own Card.
There’s no law that states you have to support the greeting card companies by purchasing a card that costs $4.99. The cards usually end up stuffed in a drawer somewhere or in the trash anyway. Make a card this year. Get your own creative juices flowing. The card may disappear but it will be remembered forever.
13a. Go Out For Breakfast.
It’s the most important meal of the day, and usually the least expensive one at that! Why not go out for breakfast instead of dinner this year? Then spend some time just going for a walk in the park. For you late risers, brunch or lunch is another inexpensive option.
13b. Make Them Breakfast In Bed.
Wake up early and whip up breakfast for both of you. Take it to them. At least bring their morning beverage to them in bed.
14. Make Them A Gift.
Make a scrapbook. Get some photos off of your smartphone, actually print them up and put together a photo album. Create a CD of their favorite songs. It’s the thought that counts.
- Depending on your age, creating a mix-tape for that special someone use to be a sign of true love.
15. Have Your “What Can We Talk About?” Prepared.
For just about every stage of any relationship, being able to have fun and interesting conversation can be a bit of a challenge. One thing we can agree on about Valentine’s Day is that it should not be about the kids, family, work or school. And so those topics should not dominate the conversation.
On your date play word or story games with each other. Prepare a list of fun hypothetical questions to ask each other. There are tons of ideas online. Search them out, print them up have something to talk about other than the daily routine and most of all, have some fun!
16. Set The Budget And Brainstorm.
Sit down together and determine how much you’re willing to spend. See how many ideas you can list that stay within the budget constraint.
One Other Thing…
One very important thing to keep in mind for all of the items on this list and for any others that you may come up with on your own: Forget about perfection. Be sure to have fun and keep your sense of humor about it all. Remember, having a sense of humor is considered to be sexy trait.
Whatever you decide to do, it probably will not come close to matching the image in your mind for the perfect day. It does not matter. Make the effort and even if your homemade card looks like a 5 year-old made it, you will have created a shared memory that will stay with both of you for the years to come.
Conclusion
Love isn’t about how much money you spend. Love doesn’t require money. If it does, then there are some bigger issues about your relationship that ought to be addressed.
Love is about the memories that come from mutually shared experiences.
A fun, romantic and memorable Valentine’s Day can be enjoyed on a budget. There really are quite a few fun and romantic things that can be done for little or no money that will allow you to show someone that they are truly special to you.
Make a list of inexpensive ideas that will excite and endear your significant other. You can mix, match and combine any of the above ideas to make this years Valentine’s Day special and memorable. Avoid letting financial challenges ruin what should be a fun and romantic holiday.
Be A Man – Do The Right Thing. Be Bold. Be Romantic. Save Some Money While Doing So. Happy Valentine’s Day!
BAM!!! Be A Man! Do The Right Thing.
Be the DtRTy Guy!