Valentine’s Day is one of the most romantic days of the year, so it is only natural to want to celebrate this day uniquely — to set it apart from every other day of the year. However, how do you say I love you without maxing out the credit card?
Most want their Valentine’s Day to leave an unforgettable impression in the mind of their beloved. However, the National Retail Federation reports that men will spend an average of $168.74 on flowers, candy, jewelry, and cards for their sweethearts. Overall, both genders in America will drop a hefty $17.6 billion on this holiday. If you want to celebrate Valentine’s Day this week without busting your budget or breaking the bank, consider one or more of these 10 ideas to make the day meaningful.
1.) Re-create your first date — Try to recreate as many details of your first date together as you remember… Call up your loved one and ask them out on a date, as if it was the first phone call. Where did you go? What did you wear? What did you talk about?
2.) Picnic — Go on a picnic in a beautiful park or place with a beautiful view. If you live in an area with cold, wintry weather, go on an indoor picnic… throw a blanket on the floor, set the stage, and have one inside your home.
3.) Dollar-Store Date — Give yourselves a budget — $5 each? — and hit your local dollar store. The goal is for each of you to buy things that have sentimental value without the other person seeing what is in your basket until you are home. Each item has to relate to a favorite memory from your relationship. Enjoy your walk down memory lane together.
4.) Tune out the world, and tune into each other — Turn off all electronics and try to concentrate on each other over candlelight and soft music, by taking a walk, playing a board game, making dinner together, etc.
5.) Take the day off — If your schedule allows, consider taking the day off and dedicating it to your loved one. Is there a honey-do list to work on? Could you plan, go shopping for and prepare the evening meal of favorite foods? Could you go to a matinee movie together?
6.) It’s time to get out the craft supplies — glue, glitter, ribbon, markers, etc. Make each other a very detailed homemade card that is both ornate and simple at the same time… ornate on the outside but simple message from the heart on the inside.
7.) Do things for the other that aren’t a favorite activity of theirs… Do housework, vacuum and wash his/her car, deep clean the house, mop the floors, etc. Discover what they have been putting off in order to take on that headache chore for him or her.
8.) Go ice skating or roller skating together with a date of hot cocoa and/or dessert afterwards… Lots of hand-holding and lots of laughs.
9.) Write love notes on sticky notes and place all over the house. Each love note could be about a favorite expression they use that makes you laugh, a favorite memory, a favorite date, a happy moment, a favorite moment from your wedding, a love poem, etc.
10.) Rent a few love story movies to watch together, while eating chocolate-covered strawberries and/or chocolate-drizzled popcorn and drinking your favorite beverages.
Valentine’s Day is a day about love and loved ones. You don’t have to necessarily show your love through your wallet with flashy, expensive gifts. Gifts from the heart can be just as priceless!!! Enjoy…
|