In this day and age, splashing out on a lavish diamond present, an expensive weekend away or even an overpriced meal at a pricey restaurant might not just seem in good taste, it might be completely beyond your budget too. The good news? Budget conscious Valentine’s treats need not be any less fabulous, any less flirty or any less romantic than their more expensive counterparts. In fact, with a giant dose of imagination and a sense of adventure you can have a champagne taste on a beer budget. Simply read on for a few clues.
Of course Valentine’s Day all starts with the flowers. So make your flower budget stretch by heading to a specialist florist and letting them help you put together a special bouquet of her favorite flowers. You’ll be able to set the budget, give some flower suggestions and create something far more exciting than a run-of-the-mill bouquet of red roses wrapped in cellophane. Or, why not go for a stunning orchid plant that will last longer than flowers? Your wife or girlfriend is bound to enjoy displaying it at work or at home in the living room.
Got an appetite for Valentine’s Day fun? Skip the expensive meal out and make your own meal magic right at home. Pick up gourmet treats, lay on a dessert buffet, create your own wine tasting evening or get cooking something new and exciting in the kitchen. Ever tried creating your own sushi? Now’s a great time to try! Crave a little chocolate? Give a chocolate fondue a go!
Dedicate the day to doing fun and flirty things. Surprise him or her with fun notes, pack them a special brown bag lunch, or make time to go for out-of-the-ordinary, middle-of-the-day lunch date. Even if you live together, consider mailing him or her a love letter, or simply email a love poem totally out of the blue. Invest the time you might have been shopping or searching for an expensive gift actually doing something that will make your Valentine smile. Complete an errand or household chore that’s been hanging over their head, go get the oil changed on the car or get a handyman to fix that squeaky door he or she hasn’t had the time to see to.
Then, get DIY and create your own sweet treats. You don’t have to be a top chef to pull off some fresh strawberries, tasty pretzels or fun fortune cookies dipped in chocolate. Whatever you do, package up the treats in a fun way – either in new cookie jar or a funky Chinese takeout box. Better yet, switch up the box-of-chocolates tradition by baking his or her favorite cookies. Frost them with a flirty message for that added personal twist, or, bake a special cake.
So, you might not be able to jet off somewhere or even escape the city at all. However, don’t let that prevent you from get out and about doing something new. Go out stargazing instead! Pick up a book from the library on the night sky, pack a blanket, a flashlight, a steaming thermos of hot chocolate and escape to a great lookout spot. Not convinced you’ll be able to spot anything interesting? Many smart phones now even have applications to help you navigate the night sky! Or finally get active and rent a tandem bike and go for a spin! Take a hike and bring a long a picnic. Or, if the weather’s warm enough take a camping trip! Just don’t forget to bring along the camera, you’re going to want to remember these Valentine’s memories!
