Hot off the heels of the party season, Valentine’s Day tends to come out of nowhere and you’ll be forgive if you’re not prepared in the finance department. However, the day doesn’t have to be a big expensive ball of love, here’s how to enjoy the romance without breaking the bank, or any hearts.
by Anna McDougall
DIY
Valentine’s Day is one of those days where you can legitimately claim that “it’s the thought that counts”. So forget the Tiffany’s, expensive cologne and forking out a tenner for a Hallmark, we’re talking a hand-made card, retro mix-tape, a memory box, a delicious red velvet cake, a basket of their favourite things – you get the idea! So get creative, show them how much they really mean to you, and if it’s not usually your kinda’ thing, they’ll be even more impressed.
Set the Same Gift Budget
To get around the gifting fiasco of who has spent more, or if someone doesn’t get the “we’re on a budget” memo, a great way to save money (and an argument) is to set yourselves the same gift budget. It doesn’t have to be much at all, and it can be fun! Set yourselves some other rules; places you’re allowed/ not allowed to shop, the time frame (a week, a day, 20 minutes) and how and where you’re going to give them to each other, we’re sure you can think of something…
Do a Chore
Instead of spending money on something fruitless and temporary, why don’t you do something for your partner they’ve been trying to get around to, but just don’t seem to have the time. Perhaps they’ve been meaning to wash the car, clean out their wardrobe, categorise their DVDs, clean the shower – it might not be your cup of tea; but put yourself in their shoes, they did it for you, you know how wrapped you’d be! On the other hand, a chore may be something they love to do and you absolutely hate! They’ll appreciate it ten-fold if you watch the cricket with them, take them to an action packed blood-and-guts film – you get it!
Local Roses
OK so we know everyone loves to receive flowers on Valentine’s Day, but Roses Only is not the only place to purchase them. For fresh, individual flowers with a little more heart, scope out your local florist – they will most likely be significantly cheaper than ordering them online and having them delivered.
Dinner for Two: At Home
Forget the surcharge, squeezing in to an overcrowded, loud restaurant most likely placed in-between the arguing power-couple and the slobbering high school sweethearts, is less than romantic. By staying at home you can beat the V-Day blowout, enjoy some privacy and best of all you can order you’re favourite meal! Better yet, indulge in a romantic picnic at your local park or visit the place you first met, or had your first date, everyone loves nostalgia. P.S. Everything and everyone looks better by candlelight.
Chocolate. Dipped. Strawberries
Don’t say we didn’t tell you.
