How to do Valentine’s Day on the cheap

One sure way to dampen passion and loving thoughts on Valentine’s Day is to think about how to do it on the cheap or go for the easy option, such as flowers from the local garage. It hardly sounds very romantic does it?

However, when money’s tight, we may have to resort to some ‘frugal wooing’.

The best things in life are free, or so the saying goes. One thing we forget in this materialistic, spend, spend, spend world of ours is that just spending time with the one you love is free and can never be replaced.

Saving cash on Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you have to go  just before closing time, trying to find a bunch of cheap wilted roses selling at a quarter of the price. Nor does it mean buying chocolates in crumpled boxes that are past their sell-by date (that is, unless the relationship is also past its sell-by date and you’re looking to move on!).

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all chocolates and roses!

Ultimately, it’s all about the care and thought that has gone into the gift. Here’s our tips to help you have a very happy, frugal, but romantic Valentine’s Day.

1. Instead of splashing out on expensive chocolates and flowers, buy your other half something they really want and will appreciate. Take time to think of something they will appreciate. This does not include boring items such as tin openers, frying pans or a new toolbox!
2. Buy a heart-shaped cutter and use it to cut out their toast in the morning or bake a heart shaped cake
3. Write short love notes or poems and leave them hidden around the house and in their pockets
4. Re-visit the first place you ever met
5. Have a romantic walk in the park or by a lake or river. If it’s raining, snuggle under a huge umbrella together
6. Instead of going out to an expensive restaurant, dress up and cook a special meal at home. Scatter candles around the room and share a bottle of wine. No need to worry about getting a taxi home or tipping the waiter
7. If you’ve got iTunes make them a special surprise Valentine’s Day playlist of favourite songs (remember how exciting it was to get a mixtape off your sweetie? Those were the days!)
8. Why not spend the whole day together on Valentine’s Day and take time to really appreciate your relationship?
9. Valentines Day is the time for some fantastic deals on websites such as LivingSocial, Wowcher and Groupon – keep a beady eye on them for some great restaurant, gift and adventure day deals over the next couple of weeks.
10. Or if it’s too much to bear, agree to make the Saturday or Sunday of the weekend after Valentine’s Day your special day, so  restaurants and hotels are quieter and easier to book. Cards will be on special offer by then as well!

And finally, if you’re alone this Valentine’s Day it doesn’t mean you’re left out. Why not check out how to be mercenary and make money from Valentine’s Day?

Old fashioned romance

Perhaps we should spend time letting our loved ones know how much they mean to us every day, not just on Valentine’s Day.

If you have any romantic ideas to share, let us know!

Tags

• Budgeting

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