Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and while certain types of scrooge are out there arguing that it is a commercialized holiday made up by hallmark in ploy to get more money from consumers, hopeless romantics with hearts in their eyes argue against them. No matter what side of the argument you are on, you can probably agree that valentine’s day has the possibility to put a hurt on your wallet. However, romance doesn’t have to be expensive! Here are some simple ways to get your love on without bleeding out your wallet.
Stay in and make dinner. Going out can be expensive, and crowded. I don’t know about you, but a restaurant packed with 40 other couples does not scream intimate to me. Plus, making dinner together gives you a chance to try new recipes and work together, giving more depth to your relationship.
Homemade cards! Yes, even though all the cool kids use to get the cards already made for Valentine’s day that had the funny sayings on them doesn’t’t mean anything anymore. You’re a college kid with very shallow pockets, it’s time to get creative. You might just be surprised with what you’ll come up with. And your significant other will cherish it even more knowing it came from you.
Flowers. Yes, this one is an expense you should still invest in, just do it smartly. Skip flower delivery, there is always a ridiculous surcharge that gets tagged onto the order at the end, not to mention that you’ll have to pay for the card and for the vase. Actually, forget the florists all in general, you’d be surprised the type of quality and price that you can find at Walmart and local grocery stores. If you’re really feeling fancy you can find a simple vase from a thrift store or even a plan jar, fill it with flowers and tie a ribbon around it, your significant other will think you got it from a florists, little will they know it was you!
Chocolate. You don’t have to skip the fancy chocolates or chocolate covered fruit, just re-invent it! Valentine ’s Day candy is always overpriced because marketers know that people will pay for the pink and red covered wrapping. Instead go for the non-Valentine’s Day themed candy. It’s chocolate, everyone still loves chocolate no matter what type of wrapping it comes in. As for the chocolate covered fruit, just melt some chips down and get to dipping! Why stop at fruit, try pretzels, marshmallows, whatever your heart desires. Its something different you can do with your lover that is still delicious and special.
Pictures. Everyone loves pictures. Find your favorite picture of you two together, print it out and frame it. They’ll love it. Its something we don’t typically do for ourselves and it is super inexpensive. A frame is maybe $4.00 and a print is $0.20, bing, bang a thoughtful gift at $4.20, plus tax. Also, very few people know this, unless you are a super crafter but in Walmart’s craft section you can purchase a wooden frame for $2. With a few extra purchases of paint and what have you, you can have a hand crafted from for your lover for $5.00 at most. You can already hear them saying, “Awww, how sweet.”
Love list. No matter if this is the first Valentine’s day with your love or your 20th, everyone likes to be reminded about all the things you love about them and today is the perfect opportunity to let your lover know how and what exactly it is you love about them. One idea, is for every year or month you have been dating, list something you love about them. You could make this in a card, or on a frame or attach these reasons to candies. Just let them know, what it is in them that makes you love them.
Even if you don’t have a special someone in your life for Valentine’s Day this year, just take some time to appreciate those you do have in your life who mean a lot to you. Whatever you decide to do this year or for whom just be thankful and let them know how you feel about them, they’ll love it regardless!
All gifs courtesy of giphy.com