Wrong! Showing someone you care on Valentine’s Day does not have to cost you an arm and a leg, and with the looming credit crunch, you don’t need to break the bank to say “I Love You.”
Last year, American’s dished out a staggering $13.7 billion on Valentine’s Day, with one man purchasing a Learjet for his wife. And while we would all like to whisk our partner away to an exotic five star resort, let’s face it – it’s not going to happen.
The most important thing about this day of love is to know your partner enough to give them something they like – and don’t think the Porsche Cayenne they dream about is an option! Here are some ideas for Valentine’s Day luxuries on a budget that will amaze your partner, and if you do it just right – with a little creativity – you can have an ultra-romantic day that will convince your significant other of just how much you love them.
Put together a gift box full of your loved ones favorite things, albeit beer, chocolates or their favourite magazine. It could be anything and you more than anyone will know their favorite things, so surprise them by getting them all together. The small things, that is. You can’t purchase diamonds on a budget. People feel very loved when they know that other people pay attention to those little details about them.
Cooking your romantic Valentine’s meal together is a great way to share the day. Make sure that your dinner choice is something you will both enjoy, even better if it’s a special treat you don’t often have. Go over the top in decorating the dining room and go-to-town on the place settings. Make sure you both dress up in your best clothes, as if it was your first date, with your best jewelry and perfume.
Bubble bath and candles make a great gift. This will be relaxing and romantic all at the same time.
Leave love notes all over – on the bathroom mirror, in their car, in their lunch, on the newspaper, etc. Anywhere they will be, leave a little note.
Fill their car with balloons. Balloons are inexpensive, and waking up to a car-full would make just about anyone’s day!
Do something that they don’t enjoy doing, like cleaning the bathroom, grocery shopping, or vacuuming out the car. This small gesture means the world to a busy partner, trying to juggle work and home life.
Make your own card detailing everything you love about this person. Home-made cards are so special, and since the words are your own, it means much more.
Say “I Love You” with flowers. Make a statement with flowers this year by, hand picking wildflowers and take them to your loved one at their office. Don’t buy roses. There are lots of wonderful flowers out there and just because the marketers try to tell us that everyone needs roses on Valentine’s Day, doesn’t mean it is true. Pick a different flower or perhaps a potted plant – potted plants live a lot longer than cut flowers do, so they would be reminded of your love for years to come, not just a week.
Stay in for a romantic evening with your Valentine. Pop some popcorn, curl up on the couch, and watch one of these romantic comedies from your local DVD shop: Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Can’t Buy Me Love, Hitch, 50 First Dates, and An Affair to Remember.
Prescription for Love
Give her a prescription of love this Valentine’s Day. Find an old pill bottle and fill it with heart-shaped candy conversation hearts. Use your printer to create a prescription label to put on the bottle with the instructions: Take 2 a day with a kiss. Refills: Unlimited.
Love Coupons
Give your sweetie the gift of choice with love coupons. Coupons include a romantic dinner, a massage, and more. Simply print them out with your printer and include them in a card telling your sweetie how much you love them.
Love Blog
Create a love blog through a service such as blogger.com. Add photos, memories, and thoughts about why you love him/her and hopes and dreams for your future together.
Sweet Love Cards
Take a different approach to the standard love letter this Valentine’s Day. Buy a package of children’s Valentine’s cards and fill each card with loving thoughts from the heart. Stumped on what to write? Fill each card with reasons why you love him/her, romantic love quotes, or love poems.
Custom Playlist
Is your partner addicted to their iPod? Create a custom playlist for them this Valentines Day! For her, put together a list of romantic love songs such as ‘At Last’ by Etta James or ‘Unchained Melody’ by the Righteous Brothers. For him, put together a sexy playlist with songs such as ‘Let’s Get it On’ by Marvin Gaye.
No matter what you do this Valentine’s Day, make sure you tell that special someone that they mean the world to you. After all, it’s not the Tiffany’s diamond necklace, but the thought that you love them, that really counts!
Happy Valentine’s Day all you lovers out there!
Wikipedia Page en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine’s_Day
Sources www.history.com/minisites/valentine/
