Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and many couples are preparing for with thoughts of extravagant gifts, over-the-top dinners, and romantic trips for two for their loved ones. While we want to treat the ‘apple of our eye’ to the best, we don’t have to break up with our wallet to make them feel special. Instead, this Valentine’s Day, think about using some of our ‘Sweet Spendings’ based on traditional Valentine’s Day ideas. These gifts will keep things hot and steamy with bae and your cash flow on point.
Flowers
Last year, people spent $2 billion on flowers and it makes sense – they’re a classic and easy go-to gift. You don’t have to do anything but pick which bouquet you want, add any extras (like chocolates, a teddy bear, or a balloon), input the address you want it to be delivered to, and voilá, you’re done! However, that five-minute exchange between you and your computer could cost over $100 bucks!
‘Sweet Spending’
To save a bunch of money, create your own flower arrangement with a bouquet from your local grocer ($15) and a vase from the dollar store. It’s not only significantly cheaper, but you can take the time to customize this thoughtful and timeless gift. If you’re not super crafty you can use these DIY flower arrangements to complete your romantic gesture. It might take a couple of hours of your time, but the finished product is sure to leave you with a stunning and romantic centerpiece that looks way more expensive than $20.
Cards
Usually, cards are the least expensive part of Valentine’s Day, but it’s the little things that count. If you decide to splurge on a really nice card that has all the bells and whistles you can spend over $15 for something that could have been made at home. Sure, $15 doesn’t seem like a lot now, but this is just the beginning of the gift-giving train.
‘Sweet Spending’
Maybe you don’t want a card that sings and throws confetti into the air, but you still want the recipient to get a heartfelt message of “I Love You,” without it feeling or looking cheap. That’s where Canva comes in. It’s a drag-and-drop graphic design tool where you can create a one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day Card. The best part is you can create your card completely free of charge! You can print it out or download it and email it to them, so they can bask in your love and amazing design skills!
Jewelry
Depending on your loved one’s taste in jewelry, expect to spend between $75- $370 for a trinket or watch. Maybe even more if you have it engraved with a loving message.
‘Sweet Spending’
A beautiful piece of jewelry is a hard gift to beat, but why be cliché and get an extravagant and expensive gift? If you know your partner well enough then you can always find a great jewelry dupe or another unique item that they will still appreciate. If your hands need a break from the DIY, then check out Groupon where you can take your pick of items like fragrant candles, rustic whiskey stones, or whatever else you can think of that fits into your budget.
Romantic Outing & Dinner
You can’t end your romantic day without going out on the town and having dinner. However, be prepared to pay upwards of $170* for dinner for two. That’s not even including the outing! Some might even take it to a new level by doing something like a dinner cruise, which would really set the mood, but also set you back $200.
‘Sweet Spending’
Now the obvious suggestion is to cook your own meal, and have a nice candlelit dinner at home, but why not kick it up a notch by moving the setting somewhere else? If the weather is nice, pack up the food, wine, and blankets and head to an area that would be perfect for a nice quiet dining experience for two.
Single, but not Mingling
We didn’t forget about those single individuals! You could buy yourself chocolates, cards and take yourself out, but sometimes you just want something a bit more. Some of these options aren’t free, but when you’re giving yourself a little “Me Time,” don’t you deserve a little something extra? Give these ideas a try:
- Cupid’s Bar Crawl
This is like any typical bar crawl just themed around Valentine’s Day. Sure, you might see those pesky couples, but you also run the risk of meeting new people, making new friends, and maybe even finding a bae for next year’s Valentine’s Day over a pint!
- Cupid’s Undie Run
If you enjoy running and giving to charitable organizations, this one is for you! This is a run that raises money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation and brings awareness for neurofibromatosis. All you have to do is wear your best Valentine’s Day-themed undies and run 1- mile. - Chocolate Tour of DC
The United States contributed more than 22 billion in sales towards the world’s collective chocolate sales last year, so it’s safe to say people love chocolate. This chocolate tour stops at five well-known dessert boutiques where you get to taste their treats too! - Galentine’s Day
Its unofficial date is February 13th, and it is seen as a day for the girls (and the guys) to show their love and appreciation for one another. You can do this by going to brunch together, having a girls’ night in, or exchanging gifts with each other (refer to the ‘Sweet Spending’ above). No matter how you choose to spend your Galentine’s Day, make sure you are having fun doing it!
We hope these Valentine’s Day “Sweet Spending” ideas help get your creative juices flowing and remember it’s really the thought that counts.
*Last year’s average Valentine’s Day dinner for two
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