If you are still working on paying down credit cards from the holidays, then a
more modest Valentine’s Day may be just what you need. A recent article from
MSNBC reported that many of us end up spending anywhere from
$180 to $420 on gifts for a loved one on Valentine’s Day.
If this kind of spending is not in your budget this February, you should know that there are other
meaningful and enjoyable things you can do with your sweetheart. MSNBC’s contributing writer
Laura Coffey offers some ideas to keep the romance without emptying the wallet.
One idea Coffey offers is to forgo the expensive night out at a restaurant and cook or order a gourmet meal at home.
Lighting candles and dressing up for the occasion will make it more special than your average night spent at home.
Another idea, if possible for you and your spouse, is to
play hooky from work that day. If you have an extra personal day and your boss will allow you the time, you may even want to
take both Thursday and Friday off to make a long weekend out of it. You can spend the extra time together at home or go on a small budget get-away for a couple of days.
If you feel you
need to get out on the town on Valentine’s, but don’t have the cash for an expensive dinner, you may want to go to a nice restaurant for cocktails, dessert, or a cup of coffee. This way, you and yours can enjoy the ambiance and fun of being out, but
won’t suffer the consequences when the bill arrives.
My hubby wrote me a poem and gave me a rose...That was just fine with me! I got him a box of chocolates and a card and made him dinner!
LoriLoriBear::
on Feb 22, 2008
You do not have to spend much to show your loved one that you care.Just being able to spend time together without discussing bills or work is always good.Even just sitting cuddled up on the couch watching a favorite tv show can be pretty romantic.
luv2try::
on Feb 23, 2008
Valentines is about the only time I get flowers from my husband. He is so great about it too. I wish I could get him to buy cheaper flowers though, a dozen roses is over the top on Valentine's day. I pretty much agree that you don't need to spend alot to show people you love them. we made our valentines this year
scatteredpearl::
on Feb 27, 2008
Our family Valentined was one. We traced all of our left hands, Hubby's, mine, oldest son, then youngest son. Cut them out of that cute foam rubber, glued them over each other, framed it and hung it the wall.
It's from all of us to all of us and was a family time together.
Holidays do not have to be costly. They are meant for memories.
leemor16::
on Mar 10, 2008
leemor16 says:
we usually go out to dinner
bbcoop::
on Mar 18, 2008
The first year I was married we had no $ but I was teaching part time for an internship so the kids at school helped me cut out a ton of diff shapes/colors of hearts and I made a grid with ribbon and hung a million of them all over the house. I used clipart and small phrases and made about 40 little notes and put them in random places all over the house before he got home. They were everywhere--in fridge drawers, sock drawers, bathroom cabinets, the shower, the garage, and he was finding so of them weeks later. Super cheesy, but he knows I think he's special, right!?!
When we are low on cash, we will eat something at home and then go out and get just dessert--that way we still get to go on "a date" but we don't break the bank--most restaurants are fine with that as long as you tip decent despite the small purchase!
