13 Inexpensive Valentine’s Ideas

by Gary Foreman

Need a frugal way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Consider one or more of these 13 inexpensive Valentine’s ideas to celebrate your love for less.

Dear Dollar Stretcher,
Is there a frugal way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? We’re still paying for Christmas, so there’s not a lot of money to spend. Can you help me do something special that doesn’t cost a lot?
Darin

You’re right. Valentine’s Day can be challenging when you’re trying to live frugally. Add that the popular culture wants you to judge your mate’s devotion based on how much they spend, and you have an unfrugal accident waiting to happen.

Let’s see if we can’t give you a number of different ideas that will move you beyond the typical card, dozen roses, and chocolates in a heart-shaped box.

1. Take your mate to a romantic location.

Sometimes, it’s not what you do but where you do it.

A picnic basket can be romantic, but if you take it to a moonlit hideaway, you’ll have romance times two. And, if you can visit a spot from your dating days, the romance factor is multiplied!

2. Be creative.

Produce an evening of memories. If you’ve been paying attention, you know what your Valentine likes. Assemble a scrapbook with pictures of the good times you’ve shared. Or create a mix tape of your favorite love songs.

3. Plan a one-day vacation at home.

Has your Valentine ever mentioned visiting some exotic place? Then, plan a dinner and evening around that locale.

For instance, who wouldn’t want to spend an evening on the Hawaiian islands? Try cooking some Hawaiian dishes. Recipes are easy to find. Background music can be found online. Rent a movie with an appropriate theme.

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4. Overwhelm your Valentine.

Use many small reminders throughout the day to let them know of your love.

One way would be to cut out or draw hearts on sticky notes. If you’re creative, add a reason why you love her on each one. Leave them in different places to be found during the day. Or, if you’re a digital person, send a series of text messages with your reasons for loving them.

5. Keep it simple.

A candlelight dinner with romantic music in the background is always appropriate, and it doesn’t cost much.

6. Put yourself into it.

Anyone can buy candy and flowers, but only a real romantic can prepare a bath with oils and candles. Warm some lotion for a relaxing massage after their bath, and don’t forget to warm their robe in the dryer before you put them in it.

7. Start early.

A romantic breakfast in bed is easy and inexpensive to prepare. Make sure you buy the necessary ingredients in advance (don’t forget the single rose for the bud vase) and set your alarm a few minutes earlier. Cut the toast or pancakes into heart shapes. Add a bowl of strawberries for that special sweet touch. Then, climb back into bed and share breakfast together.

8. Move the whole holiday.

Everyone expects their Valentine to do something romantic for them on the 14th. Sweep them off their feet by making the 13th your own personal Valentine’s Day.

9. Remember that not everyone’s idea of romance is the same.

Your Valentine may find it in acts of service. They wouldn’t be the first to think that taking a day off and surprising them by helping clean the house or completing items on your “honey do” list is romantic.

10. Pretend that you have money.

Dreams and fantasies can be very romantic. Window-shop with your Valentine. You can do it online. Tell him what man toy you’d buy if you had the money or the gifts you wish you could shower her with.

11. Go for quality, not quantity.

A dozen roses and a heart-shaped box of chocolates can easily run $50 or more. A single rose and a few premium hand-dipped chocolates can carry the same message at a fraction of the cost.

12. Make it a game.

Create a trail of love notes. In each one, express something you love about your Valentine and a clue where the next note can be found. You can use as many as you want. Where he finds the last note is up to you and your imagination!

13. Declare your love online.

If your Valentine is a social media person, tell them you love them via their favorite social site. Make it a public message, and invite all your friends to share it.

Don’t let the pressure of Valentine’s Day force you to spend money you don’t have. Rather, break the mold. And remember that a loving relationship isn’t created on just one special day. It grows a little bit every day you share love with your Valentine.

Reviewed January 2024

About the Author

Gary Foreman is the former owner and editor of The Dollar Stretcher. He's the author of How to Conquer Debt No Matter How Much You Have and has been featured in MSN Money, Yahoo Finance, Fox Business, The Nightly Business Report, US News Money, Credit.com and CreditCards.com.