Valentine’s Day will be here in no time at all, and most people seem to regard it as either a great or horrible holiday. There does not seem to be much of a middle ground where Valentine’s Day is concerned, though I don’t really have strong feelings one way or the other. Of course I love receiving a card from my husband and maybe some chocolates or flowers, but at the end of the day, I think Valentine’s Day is little more than a once-a-year opportunity to remind your favorite people just how much you care about them.
To this end, I don’t understand why Valentine’s Day has become such an expensive holiday. Between the fancy dinners, new clothes, jewelry, roses and more, Valentine’s Day is almost as commercial as some of the bigger holidays, though there really isn’t a need for it to be.
Whether you are celebrating the holiday with a significant other or your best friend, here are a few tips that will help you enjoy a frugal Valentine’s Day.
1. Make dinner at home.
I just might be the world’s worst cook, but there is no denying the sense of accomplishment I feel when I really take the time to plan out a nice dinner and I know that my husband appreciates the effort as well. Likewise, I prefer it when he cooks to almost any meal we could have out at a restaurant. To cut back on Valentine’s Day dinner costs, plan out a menu the two of you can make together at home.
2. Host a potluck.
If you are spending Valentine’s Day with friends, plan a potluck dinner so that everyone can bring a dish or beverage to share. With a potluck, everyone can be together but costs will remain relatively low.
3. Go out on the cheap.
If you aren’t interested in staying in on Valentine’s Day, take advantage of restaurant deals to save on a night out! For instance, browse Restaurant.com for discounted restaurant gift certificates. While every restaurant isn’t listed on the site, you might find somewhere that you want to eat, and even save quite a bit! Alternatively, check out restaurant deals that may be available on sites like Gilt City, Groupon or LivingSocial. Finally, if none of those sites provide particularly good options, you could always do dinner at home and then head out to share dessert or coffee at your favorite restaurant later in the evening.
4. Skip the chocolates and make cookies.
Instead of heading out to purchase what could end up being pricey chocolates or candies, consider making cookies instead! In addition to making cookies for your sweetie, you could make a double batch to share with coworkers or friends and still spend less than you might on store-bought chocolates!
That said, if skipping the chocolate isn’t an option, consider heading out to the store on February 15 to pick up a box because they will most likely be on sale!
5. Make your own Valentines.
Valentine’s Day Cards are big business, but instead of shelling out cash for a card you could always make your own. If you find yourself lacking creativity, there are tons of printable cards that can be printed off of various websites, or you could always browse Pinterest for inspiration.
6. Write love notes.
Skip the gifts, candies and flowers altogether and instead write one another a love note expressing how you feel. Since Valentine’s Day is ultimately about telling your loved ones how much you care, there is no better way to do so than with a love note!
7. Turn off the TV and just enjoy being together.
When all else fails or in addition to any of the other ideas on this list, enjoy the end of the evening by just being together. Turn off the TV, put away the cell phones and computers and spend a few minutes chatting about your day and maybe reminiscing about your first date or your first Valentine’s Day together. Perhaps you could play a board game or cuddle while sipping hot chocolate.
While Valentine’s Day may be one of the sweetest holidays of the year, with these tips there is no need for it to be one of the most expensive.
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7 Ways to Enjoy a Frugal Valentine’s Day originally appeared on usnews.com
