Valentine day is only 10 days away, and I would like to share a few tips to make it memorable without breaking the bank. Personally, I do enjoy being treated to a nice dinner and showered in gifts, but don’t feel like this should be done on a special date. I prefer an anniversary celebration since the date means something. Or a random Tuesday when we are both in a good mood. Although having another day to remember that you do love each other is quite nice, it is not a reason to spend more than you should.
Keep a list
I like to keep a list of things that my BF mentions now and then, that would be perfect gift ideas. Like this, I just have to refer to the list whenever I want to give him something. Last Christmas, it was a coffee machine that he had mentioned a couple of months earlier. It also gives you time to look for the right price.
Shop early
Talking about price, you could find the perfect gift just after Christmas, when most shops offer heavy discounts. A little planning goes a long way.
Use gift cards and coupons
If you received a gift card for Christmas, you could use it to buy your partner a gift. Look for coupons to his or her favorite store, on Google or the store’s website.
Make a gift
Bake your partner’s favorite cake. Do a scrapbook with pictures of you. Knit something. Give a voucher booklet with vouchers for a nice dinner or a night without the kids. All those things are cheap and more thoughtful than the usual chocolate box. It will show you really care.
Do something for you
You don’t have to buy stuff because people say so. If your other half enjoys flowers, by all means get flowers, but do not feel pressured to do what everyone does. Your couple is unique and you know what suits you best. I get very happy with a gourmet picnic basket and a bottle of wine, by the beach. The thoughts put in preparing all that are far more important than the value of a potential gift. In the US, chances are the weather is not ideal for a day at the beach, so you can light up the fireplace, turn off the TV and have a romantic date at home, or go skiing.
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What was your best Valentine day like?
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I always avoid going out for dinner on the day. It really frustrates me how restaurants rip people off. Two Years ago Mrs Scot and I had wonderful plans and we ended up getting very ill. We cancelled them and stayed in watching movies with takeaway… it ended up to be a great laugh and we always look back and smile! Site is FIXED!!
Savvy Scot recently posted..Passive Income Series – Method 2: Income from Investing
So HAPPY it is, what a nightmare!
Valentines day dinners can be really expensive if you go out. I usually cook, but I throw the frugality out the window and buy the best meat, wine, food, etc that I can to make the meal as memorable as possible.
My Financial Independence Journey recently posted..Blog Update: January 2013
I like that too. Even if you buy the best stuff it won’t come to half the price of the same food in a restaurant.
“I like to keep a list of things that my BF mentions now and then, that would be perfect gift ideas.” Great suggestion! I should really do this for my wife but instead I just try to remember it all…doesn’t work too well, sometimes.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted..$100 Giveaway – Valentine’s Day Gift Edition
I never remember those fantastic ideas from three months ago. a quick not is a life saver.
I’m not a big Vday person and neither is my wife, so it works really well for us. We find that all the restaurants put their prices up for the day anyway so we don’t feel like we are missing out on anything.
Glen @ Monster Piggy Bank recently posted..Giving Gifts on a Budget
perfect match if both are on board!
Great post, Pauline. Love the part about not having to buy something just because somebody else says you have to. My fave gifts from Rick have been the homemade cards and the nice dinners. It truly is the thought that counts!
Laurie recently posted..Why Good Personal Finance Management and Prepping Go Hand in Hand
It is, I too remember more the nice dinners than the flowers and chocolates.
Great suggestion on keeping a list Pauline! I usually keep a mental list myself of what my wife mentions and try to stick to something off of that. We also like to avoid going out on the night as some restaurants like to hike up the price for that day.
John S @ Frugal Rules recently posted..$999.99 Giveaway: iPad or no iPad? Welcome to my Money Problem!
Make a real list, even with the subtle things just mentioned once, your gift giving will get so much easier
“oh honey, I didn’t think you were actually listening when I briefly said that…” 1,000 points!
We don’t really do much of anything on Valentine’s day. Frankly, I think it’s unfortunate that we have to designate a specific day to tell our spouses that we love them. It should be something much more common and also something you don’t need a particular day to spur you to do something.
Jason @ WorkSaveLive recently posted..Financial Responsibility And Kids: It’s Never Too Early To Start
Yeah, like Thanksgiving, people being grateful once a year is kind of sad. But once a year better than nothing..
My wife and I keep the day low key and rarely go out to dinner. Most of the time I cook for her. It is much better and we can just relax.
Grayson @ Debt Roundup recently posted..The Gift Giving Giveaway
She is a lucky girl having you cook for her! more thoughtful than any restaurant anyway.
Hmm I’m not sure what to say since I don’t have anyone in my life to spend that day with right now. I guess I can say it would mean more to me that a guy put some thought, but not necessarily money into that day. I do feel bad for guys that day though…it always seems they are under a lot of pressure to “get it right.”
Budget & the Beach recently posted..Where You Live: The Good & the Bad
they are, aren’t they? especially with a newish relationship, I wouldn’t know what to do. Too much, not enough, you’ll probably do it wrong.
Thanks for co-hosting!
Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted..The Perfect Valentines Day Gift…and a Giveaway!
I make my wife’s favorite meal and we watch a movie. But considering that I cook most of the meals and we watch a lot of movies, that isn’t all that special.
Edward Antrobus recently posted..How to Save on Valentine’s Day + a Giveaway
But you do her favorite food! I started making too much of BF’s favorite food now I have to step it up for V Day…
I love the make a list idea! I need to write down the things my wife says she wants more often so that I don’t have to scramble for a gift later!
My Money Design recently posted..Believing In Yourself After Finding Out That You Suck
try it, it saves so much time!
This V-Day is low key; we’ll be snuggling and hanging out over mugs of steamy hot chocolate. But spending lots of dough? Nahhh.
Jennifer Lynn @ Broke-Ass Mommy recently posted..$100 Giveaway!! Finding your loved one the right gift at the right price.
Sounds lovely. It is the little things. And chocolate makes anything great. With marshmallows.
Great post, Pauline. I am down with the very low key Vday with my wife. Luckily, some chocolate and some alone time does the trick!
Tony@YouOnlyDoThisOnce recently posted..Edit Your Commitments
Chocolate anything sounds like a lovely plan.
Not sure the best gift I’ve ever received… maybe the little book my Grandmother wrote? It’s priceless.
The best gift I’ve ever given would probably be the Remote Control Helicopter I gave my brother? I dunno!
that little book sounds like a great gift and memory.
About 15 years ago, we started staying home for Valentine’s Day. I buy some flowers and bring dinner in. We usually exchange token gifts such as cookies and candy.
krantcents recently posted..I Am a PF Coach and I Should Be Fired!
I keep a list, too! I text myself or make a quick note on my phone whenever he randomly mentions something.
Happy to be co-hosting with you!
The Happy Homeowner recently posted..Creative Valentine’s Day Gifts on a Budget….and a Giveaway!
thank goodness for the list, when it is time to buy him something!
Valentine’s Day is not my favorite for sure, but a walk on the beach would surely make a nice day. Maybe it’s too cold here to love the day. I guess you could snuggle up by a fire, though.
Kim@Eyesonthedollar recently posted..Finding the Perfect Gift at the Right Price/$100 Giveaway
or go skiing!
We never go to dinner on “V” day. We either go out a day or two before or a day or two after. that way we get a nice quiet dinner without scores of other love struck couples making kissy kissy around us
. On a serious note, my wife will wait until teh last minute to give me a gift list on things she would like for V day….. So I usually try to get something that I hope she will like, and usually miss 
.
Jose recently posted..The Perils of Being an Emotional Investor
hi wise dollar Jose
that’s the whole thing about making the list yourself. I hate when people ask me on the spot what I want, and I never come up with anything. Whereas during the year, here and there, I find things I like.
Yes, the list saves me everytime! I asked my wife last night if there was anything in particular that she would like and got a I Dunno as an answer
the best gift I ever received was a family vacation — time spent together is priceless.
the best gift I’ve ever given? patience and unconditional love
nicely said Petra, it doesn’t have to be something expensive, when you are spending quality time with loved ones it is all that matters.