Valentines Day has become so commercial that we have been sold a bill of good telling us we must spend to win the hearts of our loved ones. Reality is, that is simply not the case. Valentines Day is a day to share time and feelings of love with others, and that, can be done on a budget without sacrificing the day.
For children, many schools have policies against sending gift and flowers to the children. If you are ask to send valentines or treats to the school for a class party, visit the local Dollar Tree or other dollar store for valentines. Make cookies and cupcakes at home rather than stopping by the bakery for baked goods.
If you desire to shower your child with balloons and stuffed animals, consider a dollar bag of balloons over the dollar a pop mylar ones and blow up the entire bag of colored latex balloons. Some stores will blow up balloons with helium for a low fee. A small stuffed animal from the dollar store works just as well as the high priced toy from gift shops or toy stores. Children need your time more than material goods any day. A day with you means more that store bought gifts. Spend the day playing games and having fun making Valentines cookies will mean more than expensive gifts.
Adults often scramble to spend money on expensive flowers and dinners. There are countless ways to share the day without going broke. Look at local specials advertised in your area. White Castle has the classic dinner for two, great for a date night; just pretend you are a couple of teenagers and go. Need a more expensive and grown up meal deal, try going to lunch rather than dinner. Most restaurants offer a lower price lunch special than the price of dinner. Use coupons and buy one get one offers for entrees and desserts. Go out for coffee and dessert at a very up scale place and skip the expensive meal.
Editor’s Note: Mrs. PT and I are going to order our favorite again this year: a heart-shaped pizza.
Go to the grocery store and buy the supplies for a dinner. Use your coupons, shop specials and cook a special dinner at home. Add a few candles, dim the lights and enjoy.
Discover your city. Spend the day visiting local landmarks and museums. Depending on where you live and the weather in your area, plan a day outside. Go ice skating and carry a thermos of hot chocolate. Pack a dinner and go to the lake, build a fire, and star gaze. Check out a book about astronomy from the library and take with you as you study the heavens.
Flowers, it seems like we cannot have Valentines Day without flowers. Consider a potted plant, one that can be kept. Some stores offer potted miniature rose plants, or other flowering plants. These last long after the flowers fad, but if you need cut flowers, consider buying them from a discount or grocery store. Shop thrift stores, Salvation Army or Good Will for a special container to use as a vase for the flowers.
Thrift stores often have Valentines Day themed coffee mugs, red and white or pink dinner plates and other decorations. Buy them there and recycle buy filling with candy, or other treats. Wrap with colored cellophane from the dollar store and you have a Valentines happy for less than half the cost from a gift store.
Send cards from dollar stores, some offer cards for as low as fifty cents each. They will mean just as much as an expensive card. Go to the library and check out romantic movies (or consider $1 DVDs from Redbox). Check out books about Valentines Day and read with your children.
It really is what is in your heart that counts. Count your dollars saved as part of helping keep your budget in line while making the day special. The values you teach your children about sharing without over spending is an act of love. Couples are a lot happier when not in debt. That counts when you make Valentines Day special without making each other over spend. Have a happy and frugal Valentines Day.
This post was contributed by a guest blogger.
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Good advice, this overrated holiday can break the bank. For dinner we usually get some steaks on sale, fresh vegetables, and a $7 bottle of Merlot from Sprouts. We are also setting a $10 limit to gifts and we are making each other handmade cards.
you know Jeb, I was thinking about cooking a steak as well. a nice broiled ribeye sounds good. i think i’ll write a post on that.
I am planning to make homemade chocolates and put them in little baggies to give to my friends. My mom has a great recipe for Maple Creams which I think will be a hit for V-day.
The great thing is, I bought all the stuff to make them at Christmas…so there is nothing to buy…just need to do the work.
Sounds like fun. Send some my way!