Valentine Gift Idea

Cheap Valentine’s Gifts

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. I don’t know about you, but frankly, I’m broke after Christmas. Whoever decided to put a gift-giving holiday that soon after another major gift-giving holiday should be hung. But since I’m sure they are dead and gone by now, let’s talk about some cheap Valentine’s Day gift ideas.

I’ve discovered that everybody has a different idea for the definition of “cheap”. First, let me say, when I say “cheap”, I am using it to mean inexpensive. I want to find the best quality item I can for the lowest price. Unfortunately, “cheap” has come to be synonymous with low-quality or tacky.

In that same vein, “cheap” also has a different monetary value to each individual as well. For example, to one person $50 may be considered “cheap”, while to another it may seem pretty pricey. So I am going to try to cover a wide range of prices.

First, let’s address the type of Valentine’s gifts that cost little or nothing to make. Go old-school on your significant other. Construction paper, glue, markers/paint pens and glitter cost very little. You can probably get a decent selection of all of the above at your nearest craft store for under $10. Be creative. Remember the stuff you made in school for Mom? You have much better coordination now. Better sense of style (I hope). Cut out some hearts in various colors and sizes to make a heart collage. Your collage can be a stand alone piece, or you can make it the front of a card.

I know what you’re thinking, “Really? How’s that going to go over?” Inside the card or with your handmade collage, include a book of love coupons for Valentine’s Day.

Use the rest of your construction paper to cut out business card size “coupons”, approximately 3″ x 5″. You can use your markers/paint pens to write several “coupons” of many varieties. Some of them should be able to be cashed in immediately for Valentine’s Day and others can be for future “favors”.

Coupon Ideas – This coupon good for…

For Him to Her: One Foot Rub, One Back Rub, One Full-Body Massage, One Picnic, One Dinner at Restaurant of Her Choice, One Round of House Cleaning, One $XX Shopping Spree, One Oil Change for Her Car, One Bath Night, One Day at the Spa, One Manicure/Pedicure, One Breakfast in Bed, One Event of Her Choice, One Night out with the girls, One She wins the argument,

For Her to Him: One Foot Rub, One Back Rub, One Full-Body Massage, One Breakfast in Bed, One Night out with the Guys, One Dinner of His Choice, One Hosted Sporting Event (game on TV), One Costume Night, One Car Wash, One Get out of the Dog House Free, One He wins the argument

You can also include more adult themed coupons. I’ll leave those up to your imagination. You know your partner the best. Give them coupons for things you know they hate to do. Be prepared to follow through on them.

For a little more money, you can treat your partner to a nice lunch, instead of dinner, and then spend the evening at home with a nice bottle of wine and a romantic DVD. Maybe $30 total.

Flowers will run you at least $50 during the Valentine’s Day season. Florists will take your order usually up to the 12th or 13th in most places. You’ll pay outrageous prices for roses. Unless you just know nothing else will satisfy your partner, try to go with the florists special or a nice mixed bouquet in the price range you’ve budgeted. Don’t forget to include delivery in there.

If you want to go the chocolate route, don’t buy the stuff you can find at the grocery store, unless you know it’s her favorite. You can get better chocolate, for a lower price, by going to a chocolatier. See’s Candies and Godiva are a couple names you may recognize. Remember quality over quantity is the best rule with chocolate. If the chocolate is tasty enough, a little goes a long way.

Bath products are another wide price range gift. Most of your good bath stores are going to have something for every budget, some of them pre-wrapped. A nice selection of pure natural soaps, shower gels, bath bombs, bubble bars and bath melts in a basket is another option. A couple of fluffy towels in the colors you know your partner likes and some bath products would be a wonderful gift, especially for someone that needs some pampering.

Your partner may enjoy taking a cooking, painting or yoga class. If it’s something that you could do along with them, sign up too. Check locally for one night cooking classes. Go to the local craft store and check the schedule for craft classes. Look at the upcoming project classes at your local home improvement store. One of the ones for kids at the home-improvement places might be fun to do as a couple. Drop in to the local yoga studio or community center and find out what type of fitness classes are available.

I hope this has helped you out. The best advice for cheap Valentine’s Day gifts is listen to your partner. They’ll give you a million clues of things you can get creative with to match your budget.

5 Responses to “Cheap Valentine’s Gifts”