10 Ways to Save Money for Valentine’s Day

For many, money is tight this year.  That doesn’t mean that you can’t have a great Valentine’s Day.  Dismiss your expectations about what Valentine’s Day should be.  This is a day to make your mate feel special and to spend time one another. 

1)  Make a romantic dinner at home.  I don’t know about you, but in the past few years, I have given up on going out on Valentine’s Day.  It is not fun to go to your favorite restaurant and wait an hour or more to be seated.  It’s not romantic at all!  Instead, make a special meal at home.

2)  Create a romantic ambiance. Dim the lights, light some candles, and play soft music.  You probably already have the candles in your home.  If not, you can pick up some for just a few dollars.  If you don’t have the music, set up a free playlist at youtube or borrow some music from your friends.

3)  Make your own Valentine’s cards.  A store bought card that says, “Love you” isn’t very special.  What makes a card special is that someone took the time to write something meaningful inside the card.  A handmade card also shows sincerity.  There are websites out there with free clip art or you could make a card and put a picture of the two of you on the cover. 

4)  Swap babysitting with a friend.  Offer to watch her kids on February 14 if she’ll watch your kids on February 15.  Remember, you don’t want to go out on the 14th anyway.  You could also wait until the kids are in bed to celebrate.

5)  Enjoy a movie at home. Last year, my hubby and I did not have a sitter, so I made a special dinner and after the kids were in bed, we enjoyed the silence in our home and watched a movie together.  I bought some sparkling grape juice for just a few dollars and some strawberries.  It was fun just to spend time together.

6)  Make your own decorations.  The internet is full of crafts, garland, and the sweetest decorating ideas.  Many of them aren’t time consuming.  For a fun activity, get the kids involved.

7)  Make your own fabulous desserts.  Enjoy a special treat together such as the famous frozen hot chocolate.  No Fuss Fabulous has a recipe that sounds pretty simple and they show you how to make it as a gift for friends.  Or use your left over candy canes to makes the cutest heart lollipops and cupcakes or make heart shaped cheesecakes from Skip to My Lou.

8)  Forget the store bought gift and give your spouse something special from you.  You know your spouse and you know what he/she likes (or at least you should!).  If your husband is always begging you to go to the car show with him, then tell him you’re taking him to the car show.  If you husband’s love language is touch, then give him a 30 minute massage.  If your husband’s love language is words of affirmation, then make individual hearts for him with special sayings on them or things you appreciate about him and place them in random places throughout the house, or you could tape them to the door for a heart collage.

9)  If you want to buy something for your special someone, begin shopping ahead of time and looking for something that doesn’t cost a lot.  If your honey likes cars, then maybe you could buy a magazine subscription.  If your significant other likes coffee or chocolates, then you could make them a basket of homemade treats with a few favorite store bought items.  Get creative and stay within your budget.

10)  Let the kids be thrifty too.  My kids love to make things.  Get the kids involved by letting them make their own valentines this year.  Family Fun has some really cute Valentine card ideas.  Of course, you can search the web for printable Valentines too.

11)  I know I said 10 ways. Consider this a bonus.     Try not to send flowers this year.  The mark up at Valentine’s Day is insane.  If you do want to give flowers, consider buying them from your local grocery store or supermarket.  They actually have some nice fresh flowers and arrangements for a fraction of the cost.

Also consider checking out 50 Thrifty Links for Valentine’s Day.

What ways can you save this Valentine’s Day?

images used with permission of SkipToMyLou