Valentine's Day is tomorrow, and that means that if you have a significant other, some effort will be required! If you're on a budget, you may be worried that you have to break the bank to make this day special – but you don't! There are a lot of frugal ways to make Valentine's Day special on any budget!
Here are some things you may consider to do for your special someone. Remember, I'm a guy, so these may or may not work out for you.
Make Your Own Card
Have you been to Hallmark or your other local card shop lately? Every card available is usually around $5! That is crazy, especially for a piece of paper you're expected to write in anyway (if you didn't know that – now you do: you MUST write your own sincere thought regardless of how well any greeting card expresses how you feel).
Making a card is very easy – just get some thicker paper, fold it in half, and you're set. A good idea is to get a photo of the two of you, and cut it out and glue it to the front. Then, on the inside, write why it is a favorite photo of yours, and how she/he makes you feel!
Cook Your Own Gourmet Meal
Valentine's Day is another justification for restaurants to raise prices to crazy levels. Many fancy places also only allow you to order from “special” menus on holidays like Valentine's Day. If you aren't looking to spend $100+ on a meal, consider making it yourself.
No matter how bad of a cook you are, there are easy meals you can prepare – think a main course, like steak or fish (stay away from cooking chicken if you can't cook), a salad, a side dish (maybe potatoes because they are easy), and a dessert – maybe a cake or pie.
If you keep it simple, you can have a simple, cheap, and romantic Valentine's Day meal (just don't forget to put some candles on the table).
Make Something For Your Significant Other
If you don't have the money to buy something, you can always make something. Have you ever thought of making a CD or Playlist of songs for your significant other? Maybe you are handy and can build something? Or, maybe you can just plan out a day to do your significant others favorite activity.
Whatever it happens to be, there are a lot of thing you can do that can make the day special, and they don't have to cost a fortune.
Readers, do you have any other frugal Valentine's Day ideas for readers on a budget?
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Great ideas. I especially love the “make your own card” one. It’s sentimental and thoughtful. My fiancee wrote a post about great ideas for V-day from a woman’s perspective. Hope you have a good one!
My wife made my favorite (oatmeal raisin) cookies last night. I enjoy this type of gift more than something bought or expensive.
That’s a good call – you can’t really go wrong with baking!
Foot massage, Star Wars marathon and a bottle of whisky.
Oh, wait. that’s what I want.
LOL. It’s not really about the guys, realistically. This much I’ve figured out!
A personal touch can go a long way to making a lower cost celebration a positive one! Showing that you know what makes her tick, and that you truly know her, and make a real genuine effort to make her day memorable – it’s all more important than the absolute dollar amount spent.
It’s definitely about the effort!
This year was a splurge year. One of the best steakhouses in town, and damn the expense (paid cash, though). My wallet still hurts.
I would also add: instead of a card, a heart-felt letter. I recently found a letter my wife wrote me before we were engaged and it warms my heart to read her thoughts of love from the past!