A lot of people woke up this morning and realized that today is Valentine’s Day. In a panic, they tried to come up with some kind of gift to show their partners how much they are loved. Likely, they’re planning emergency stops at florists, candy shops and jewelers to buy a last-minute treat, hoping that throwing a little money at the problem will solve it.
If this sounds like you, listen up: An expensive item is just one way to say “I love you” today, and it’s probably not even the most effective way to do it.
Here are 12 terrific tactics for letting your partner know that you love them without buying something expensive in a moment of panic.
[See: 12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender.]
1. Write a handwritten note. Get out a piece of paper and simply write down your thoughts in your own words. It doesn’t have to be perfect poetry. In fact, it’s usually better if it’s not. What matters is that it’s honest, shows your own heart and shows that you’re paying attention to your partner.
2. Do some chores. Go home before your partner does and take care of some of their household chores for them, particularly the ones that he or she doesn’t enjoy or is putting off. Talk to your boss, explain the situation, ask for a couple of hours that you’ll make up later in the week and surprise your partner with some completed tasks.
3. Make a nice meal at home. Don’t do anything elaborate. Instead, just make something that you know you can make well and make it with good ingredients. A simple pasta meal is great, for example, and you can make it special by making the sauce yourself from fresh ingredients. Grab a single candle out of a drawer and pull out that tablecloth from storage that you never use, and you’ll have a wonderful little meal for the two of you.
[See: 12 Habits of Phenomenally Frugal Families.]
4. Look your partner in the eyes when telling him or her of your love. It can be hard to look directly into your partner’s eye, speak of your love and say some of the things you love about him or her. It’s hard, yes, but it’s incredibly meaningful.
5. Write “I love you” in a place where your partner will find it. Write it in soap in the shower. Make pancakes and spell it out with chocolate chips. It doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it’s better if it isn’t because complicated ones are sometimes hard to clean up.
6. Touch and kiss your partner. A kiss, an embrace, a hand on the shoulder or the back — those little touches bring a closeness that’s hard to replicate. Loving hands touching you mean something deep and special.
7. Listen. Ask your partner about his or her day and actually listen to the response. Don’t just think about the things you want to share about your day. Ask questions about your partner’s day. Make every effort to care about the things your partner cares about. This is a great habit to have, not just on special days.
[See: 10 Fun, Frugal Ways to Spend Your Free Time.]
8. Arrange a “sitter swap.” Contact some of your friends who are also parents and might not be doing anything special to ask if they can “sitter swap” with you. You’ll watch their kids in a week or two if they’ll watch your kids for a few hours this evening. This will magically get the kids out of the house in the early evening and give you time to spend together without having to be on parent duty.
9. Send an email or a text each hour. Each hour of the day, send your partner an email or text saying some of the things you love about him or her or some of the things you want to do together. It doesn’t have to be complicated to be playful and romantic.
10. Make up a playlist of your memorable songs. Most couples have a handful of memorable songs that remind them of key points in their relationship. Plan one out. Make a YouTube or Spotify playlist of those songs and play them for your partner tonight. Turn the music down low, so that it can barely be heard and start it when your partner walks in the door.
11. Make a “warm towel.” This is such a simple and sweet “love” trick that should be in everyone’s repertoire. When it’s a bit cold out, wait until your partner hops in the shower, then steal their towel and put it in the dryer for five minutes. Put the now-warm towel back for them. When they step out of the shower, they’ll have an already-warm towel to wrap and dry themselves in. It’s one of those tiny, thoughtful things that can go a very long way.
12. Just say the words. When you see your partner tonight, simply say, “I love you.” It’s so simple, but it works so well. Don’t just say this on special days, either. Say it every day.
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12 Simple, Free Ways to Say ‘I Love You’ on Valentine’s Day originally appeared on usnews.com
