Thrifty Mommy » Valentines-Day

Top 10 worst Valentine’s Day gifts

kellys — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 02:28:49 +0000

I have been cracking up today as I have heard several worst Valentines’ Day gifts. I thought I would share some of my favorites with you.

A gift certificate to the gym.
A gift certificate to Jenny Craig.
A bathroom scale.
Something he/she is obviously allergic to.
A totally shoot em up movie for the girlie girlfriend.
A sappy chick flick for the beefy guy
The book Sex for Dummies
Cooking lessons
Lingerie 2 sizes too small, and finally …
A valentine’s day card with the wrong name on it.

Just thought you could use a good laugh.

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Valentine Craft from Parents

Karen Weideman — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:01:05 +0000

A cute and easy craft for kids.

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Free Coffee for Valentine’s Day

Karen Weideman — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:45:28 +0000

Wow! This has been quite a week for great freebies. And now, here’s another.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf celebrates Valentine’s Day with a buy one get one free promotion. Buy one Caramel Mocha Bliss Ice Blended® or Latte drink and get one free. The offer is good Saturday, February 14, 4-8 pm. To redeem this offer, consumers must mention the secret code “I Love Coffee Bean” to the barista.

Have you found any other Valentine freebies?

image from coffee bean & tea leaf

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Free Valentines & Donuts at Krispy Kreme

Karen Weideman — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:03:37 +0000

Buy 1 dozen donuts at Krispy Kreme and get 1 dozen free Valentines. Plus, each card is a coupon to get a free donut. So basically, if you buy 1 dozen donuts, you’ll get a dozen donuts free. My cashier did not give the Valentines to me without my asking, so make sure you ask! I thought about giving out my Valentines, but have decided against it. I like the chocolate custard filled a little too much.

image from Krispy Kreme

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10 Ways to Save Money for Valentine’s Day

Karen Weideman — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:16:08 +0000

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

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Valentine Fun From the Lifestyles Channel

Karen Weideman — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:24:49 +0000

In celebration of the upcoming holiday, the b5media Lifestyles Channel participated in their own little carnival, hearts and flowers, hugs and kisses…

Because of nasty weather and the horrible flu bug going around and the recent server outage, some of the channel wasn’t able to participate. But when it comes to something like Valentine’s Day, the most recognized day of love, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have everyone join in.

Now, won’t you take a little stroll with me around the channel to see some new Valentine goodies our bloggers are dishing up just for you?

Cyndi from Layers Upon Layers shares a beautiful handcrafted plaque that packs a punch and if you’re not into throwing a punch, how about jewelry. That’s always a nice option – especially when it’s handmade.

Widows Quest offers tips to help cope during the holiday or anniversary when the loss of a loved one might feel a bit more difficult.

Katelyn at Stamping Mad has created a special Valentine’s Greeting especially for her readers.

Sandy at All Holiday Cafe pauses to thank her 6th Grade English Teacher for giving her the love of words.

Christina from SoloMother pays tribute to all those who have enriched the lives of both she and her son, made them laugh, made them feel safe, loved, wanted.

Deb Ng shares a funny little poem she’s written for her husband and his amazing and a little more than Simply Thrifty habits.

Hankering for Yarn and Noreen is sharing a family tradition this holiday by sharing a design and tips on how to make a spool knitted Valentine.

Chloe from Tangled Thread has decided to give felt sweethearts this year for Valentine’s Day, not candy ones.

Marcie at A Child Chosen has a delightful idea for a candy-free alternative to creating a fun Valentine for kids.

Peggy, one of our newest channel members has created a very special Valentine to our planet Earth via Tree Hugging Family.

Julie from Declutter It is thinking of her husband on Valentine’s Day with a funny little poem that could be from the spouse of anyone who spends too much time on the computer. And if you swing on over to Play Library, you can check out some very funny Valentine quotes that are sure to bring a smile to your face.

If a romantic comedy is what you have in mind this Valentine’s Day, check out the list of movie titles Thrifty Mommy has compiled and while you’re there, why not drop off a few of your own favorite titles too!

If you’re parenting teens or tweens, be sure to check out the list of Valentine activities for kids of all ages at Weary Parent. You’ll find a fun assortment of treats, crafts and more that Char has graciously put together.

Farley shares a somewhat intimate letter to the object of her blogging affection on Behind the Vines.

Joshua at Junk Creations has come up with an amazing, recycled style Valentine for his lovely bride and is sharing his creativeness with all of us. I wonder if his wife knows how much we appreciate his artistic talents?

The newest edition to Supernanny Rules pays tribute to her husband with a quirky little poem that is tells it like it is.

Heather has taken her Creative Journal and used it as a space to share a Haiku from the heart for her own love this holiday of love.

Our very own Lifestyles channel Super Hero, Trench, has written a very special poem to the Attorney General at My Crime Space, while at Psycho for Love, he shares his views on why there should be an Anti-Valentine’s Day and shares his thoughts on how people should let those they love know they love them all year long.

Jennifer at Offbeat Homes has created a special offbeat Valentine greeting especially for her readers.

Mary Emma Allen at Quilting and Patchwork suggests seven ideas for Valentine’s Day cards, gifts, and activities quilters can use to make this a special occasion.

Heather at Chocolate Bytes has gotten clever in how to drop hints for her husband when it gets to be February 13th and he hasn’t got a clue what to get her.

Noel at Unplugged Living offers up a special greeting to his wife and son with a surprise announcement for his readers.

Marye at Baking Delights takes us along for a walk down memory lane to a time when she decorated her first cake ever. Speaking of memory lane, while you’re there, check out the flashback to our very own G.I. Jane and how she handles those who try to steal her thunder.

Sasha at Dating Dames shares her own Top 5 Heart Gifts. This list might come in handy for those who are stumped for ideas.

Maricar at Keeping the Castle has created a special card for all her readers. Cupids got nothing on our Queen of the Castle.

Kerri Aldrich of Marriage Actually was one who was down with the flu and since her Valentine took such good care of her while she was sick, she was inspired to write a bit of poetry.

Elizabeth, otherwise known to many as BusyMom, shares a special love note from her heart to her readers on both GenBetween and Career and Kids.

Linette Gerlach at Mother Earth’s Garden is getting prepared for Spring and has taken a bit of a break from gardening tips and tales to share a little Valentine poem and Herbal Folklore with all of you.

Christine Gooding, our virtual wedding planner shares lots of Valentine Wedding Proposal ideas for all you men folk who have the ring, but not the words.

And what better way to end our trail of Valentine wishes… Tracee Sioux of BlogFabulous is like having our very own Energizer Bunny sometimes. Tracee has put together her own little shopping list of thank yous to the love of her life…

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day holiday and if you can’t be with the one you love, share it with those who love you, right here on b5media Lifestyles.

MWAH!

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Thrifty Valentine Sales

Karen Weideman — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:34:36 +0000

I know that some of you are looking for a good deal on your Valentine’s gifts. Here are a few suggestions that I’ve found this week:

Circuit City has a bunch of dvds on sale this week. It seems as though they have something for everyone. Some dvds that are $3.99 are Runaway Bride, The Wedding Singer, Hope Floats, and Guess Who. Some dvds that are $6.99 are Catch and Release, The Holiday, and Rent. I’ve been wanting Catch and Release, so I may drop by and pick it up for myself.

Target has a sterling silver heart pendant for $4.99. They have some other jewelry sales for $9.99 to $39.99.

Michael’s has 50% off their valentine ribbon, 25% off valentine decor, and 40-50% off a large selection of frames.

CVS has Hershey’s Pot of Gold for $3.88.

At Proflowers you can get 2 dozen assorted roses with vase and chocolates for only $39.99. When you go to their site, just click on the radio button in the top right corner and enter the code “Sheri”. This will take you to the specials for Bob and Sheri listeners. If you’re like me, you’re not all that fond of roses. Don’t worry, they have specials for you too.

Have you heard of any great Valentine sales? Please leave them in the comments for our readers. Thanks.

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Frugal Valentine’s Day ideas

kellys — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:22:10 +0000

Valentine’s Day is my least favorite holiday. As a matter of fact, I don’t think of it as a holiday at all. It’s just another way for commercialism to suck the money right out of our pockets. I don’t need a particular day for someone to tell my DH that he loves me. If He can’t tell me that on any given day, then I don’t want him to tell me that on February 14^th.

But I do recognize that it is an important day for some. So in the interest of saving money, here are my favorite ways to save money on Valentine’s Day.

Make your own Valentine’s Day cards. Use your imagination for a card.
If you are brave … Buy your candy on the way home that day. Stores will usually put their Valentine’s Day items late on Valentine’s Day and the Day after. They don’t want to get stuck with the merchandise.
Be creative with your dinner. Cook something you would not normally cook.
Swap babysitting services with a friend. One of you celebrate on one day and the other on another and swap kids so that you don’t have to pay for a babysitter.
Have your kids get in on the celebration by serving them dinner. That way you don’t have to go out and they can feel especially loved. You and your spouse can celebrate later.
Don’t buy a special outfit for the occasion. Use a red or black dress you bought for the holidays.
My personal favorite … Celebrate the week after Valentine’s Day. Everything is cheaper that way.

I am all for having a date night. I just don’t like someone telling me when to have it. I am also sure my DH is very grateful I feel that way. Besides, my anniversary is coming up next month and it is 10 years for us. I’ll give you my frugal anniversary list soon. (Are you reading this GCS?)

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50 Thrifty Links for Valentine Fun

Karen Weideman — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:26:47 +0000

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Since you’re here, you’re obviously looking to be a bit more frugal. I’ve been surfing around and I’ve found 50 links to help you with Valentine’s Day. All of these items are inexpensive and most of them are do-it-yourself.

Crafts

Printables and Other Fun Stuff

Recipes

Valentine Gifts

Please share any links you have found in the comments.

images from Karen

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

Karen Weideman — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 19:48:21 +0000

Happy Valentine’s Day from the b5 Family and Relationships Channel. Hsien has graciously put all of our Valentine posts together for your viewing. You’ll find posts on Valentine recipes, gift ideas, wedding vows, craft ideas, ways to get your kids to talk, and more. There is also a link to Steve’s new baby. Steve is the writer for Inside Fatherhood. We hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

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