Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and you may or may not be in the market for a thoughtful gift for a loved one. It seems like most people fall into one of two categories: those who think the holiday is a marketing ploy used by the greeting card industry, and those who treat it as a day to show a little extra love for their significant other. Regardless of what you believe, gift-giving during any holiday can be stressful if you’re on a tight budget. Why not work with what you have to show you care?
Some thrifty ideas for celebrating Valentine’s Day (or ANY holiday or special event):
- One of my favorite options – Make your own gift! These are always the most thoughtful, and they’ll make the person on the receiving end feel especially cared for (*insert warm fuzzy feelings here). With sites like Pinterest around now, there’s a ton of places to find inspiration and DIY projects with instructions to help.
- A night in. Cook a meal together. Share a bottle of wine. Watch a movie. Play a game. Just relax! Life can be pretty busy, so take a break together and enjoy each other’s company.
- Acts of kindness. Nothing says “I love you” like taking out the garbage – no, seriously, it does. Do something small to take some stress off of your loved one, and it’ll be appreciated beyond words. Maybe leave them a sweet note where they won’t be expecting it, and it’ll definitely bring a smile to their face.
- Beat the crowds. Go out for coffee or breakfast and see an early movie, when rates are almost always cheaper than an expensive dinner. Want to get an even better deal? Celebrate early or after the holiday. Ever noticed how expensive those chocolates and flowers can be? Wait a week and they’ll all be marked down by half.
What are some of your favorite ways to get creative with gift-giving and celebrating holidays?
