Valentine’s Day can be an expensive day. Just thinking about all the flowers, chocolates, cards, stuffed animals, puppies, kittens, and going out to eat at fancy restaurants makes my wallet hurt. Where all these things are fun and even expected, there are things you can do that won’t hurt your wallet but will still be special and memorable.
Do something fun together at home that doesn’t involve technology. Like cooking together. Make cookies shaped as hearts and start decorating! You can buy premade kits but those can be expensive. Try a new recipe and make the cookies from scratch. The ingredients will be cheaper than buying the premade kit and you’ll have more cookies. Plus you can soak up all that quality time while baking in the kitchen. Flour may go everywhere but you’ll have a lot of laughs.
If you don’t want to spend any money consider going for a walk, hike, swimming, ice skating, or sledding at a local park. Activities will vary based on the climate you live in but there are sure to be some free outdoor experiences near you.
You could also spend the night star gazing in your backyard. If you can’t see them where you live, drive out into the country. Park at a rest stop and get lost in the night sky.
Do a craft together. You don’t have to pay for an expensive painting or pottery lesson to be creative. Go buy some cheap painting or craft materials from dollar tree or Walmart. Set up a little art studio in your home or outdoors in a park. Surprise your partner by blind folding them and leading them to the area you set up. Adds a little more of a sweet touch to the gesture.
Some busy moms don’t care for candy and flowers when their kids are screaming. Simple gestures like taking the kids out so mom can have some alone time can go a long way. Doing all the chores can also have a big impact.
Speaking of chores, making coupons can also be a sweet gesture that doesn’t require money. Make a little coupon book full of chores, back rubs, and you know ;). That can make your partner feel special throughout the year when the coupons are honored.
Search the internet and Facebook groups for free activities happening near you. You would be surprised by how many free activities there are like outdoor movies, ice skating & hot cocoa, concerts, craft fairs, and more.
My last tip is to consider buying chocolate and flowers after Valentine’s Day. Just agree with your partner that valentines will come later for the two of you. Valentine’s items go on sale right after Valentine’s Day. You can get the same items everyone else was buying for half or a third of the original price just by waiting a few days. Your partner can still feel wanted and appreciated while you achieve your financial goal.
There are many ways to make your partner feel loved this time of year. As a society we tend to make it about material things that you have to spend money on. But there are creative ways to make your partner feel loved without the extra expenses. As long as you’re willing to be creative.
Just promise me one thing… that you won’t skip doing something special just because you don’t have the money. Find a way to have a great Valentine’s Day with no money because your partner is more important than anything else.
