Cheap Valentine’s Day: Intelligent or Insulting?

Is it wrong to save money on Valentine’s Day? 

Earlier today I was on Twitter, catching up on some reading when I noticed an interesting tweet. It was about how Valentine’s Day is the one day of the year you should never be cheap.

Their reason? The obvious one, because you’re supposed to show someone how much they mean to you. But this got me thinking something entirely different…

Do you really have to show someone you care by spending a bunch of money on them? Does buying your Valentine expensive gifts and a fancy meal show them you truly care? In my opinion, not really.

Now I’m not trying to say that someone who spends a lot of money on Valentine’s Day doesn’t care at all, obviously that’s not the case, but there are plenty of other ways to say “I love you” without emptying your wallet.

Home-cooked is Always Better!

Usually on Valentine’s Day, my husband and I go out to a nice restaurant, then maybe see a movie or something, and return home having spent close to $100 on the evening. This year, we’re treating Valentine’s Day is a bit different…

Instead of going out, he’s actually going to be making me dinner! He had given me the option and asked if I wanted to go out, but honestly, I like to avoid spending money wherever I can, so my decision was easy.

And if he really wants to impress me, he’ll do the dishes after he cooks dinner… A girl can dream, can’t she?

Handmade is Always Better!

It’s true. A handmade card or gift, no matter the quality of the workmanship, always means more than the store-bought alternative.

Making a gift for your Valentine can be affordable and fun, if you let it be. My husband and I haven’t bought cards or gifts for each other in years, opting instead for handmade Valentine cards, hand-picked flowers, and homemade sweets.

And yes, he has made me several cards. My favorite was one he made a few years ago. It was made entirely of things from his desk at work, including an empty cut up tea bag, string, and a paper clip he shaped into a heart.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be expensive to be memorable. Instead of spending your money on silly store-bought trinkets and treats, give your special someone something with real value.

You know, I don’t really remember any of the store-bought cards my husband has bought for me over the years, but that ridiculous handmade Valentine card still reminds me how much he loves me…

What are your Valentine’s Day plans? Will you be going all out for your Valentine or keeping things more on the simple side? Either way, we hope you all have a very safe and happy Valentine’s Day!