13 Inexpensive Valentine’s Ideas

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.

by Rosie Scott

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

Valentine’s Day can be tough when you’re trying to be frugal. The pressure from popular culture to measure your partner’s love by how much they spend doesn’t help. It’s a recipe for an unfrugal mistake.

Let’s explore some alternative ideas that go beyond the usual card, dozen roses and heart-shaped box of chocolates.

1. Take your mate to a romantic location.

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

A picnic basket can be romantic, but taking it to a moonlit hideaway is twice as romantic. If you visit a spot from your dating days, the romance is multiplied even more!

2. Be creative.

If you’ve been paying attention, you know your Valentine’s tastes. Put together a scrapbook with pictures of the great times you’ve shared. Alternatively, make a “mix tape” featuring your favorite love songs.

3. Plan a one-day vacation at home.

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

For example, who wouldn’t want to spend an evening in Hawaii? You can create a Hawaiian atmosphere by cooking local dishes — recipes are easy to find. Add some background music, which you can find online, and top it off by renting a movie with a Hawaiian theme.

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4. Overwhelm your Valentine.

Use small reminders throughout the day to show your love.

You can cut out or draw hearts on sticky notes. Add a reason why you love them to each one if you’re feeling creative. Then, leave the notes in different places for them to find throughout the day. Alternatively, if you’re more tech-savvy, send a series of text messages listing 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 it takes a true romantic to set up a relaxing bath with oils and candles. After their bath, warm some lotion for a soothing massage, and don’t forget to warm their robe in the dryer before helping them into it.

7. Start early.

A romantic breakfast in bed is easy and inexpensive to prepare. Buy the necessary ingredients ahead of time, including a single rose for the bud vase. Set your alarm a few minutes earlier, then cut the toast or pancakes into heart shapes. Add a bowl of strawberries for a sweet and special touch. Finally, climb back into bed and enjoy breakfast together.

8. Move the whole holiday.

Everyone expects their Valentine to do something romantic for them on February 14th. Why not surprise them by making the 13th your special day to show your love?

9. Give acts of service.

Your Valentine might appreciate it in acts of service. They wouldn’t be the first to think that taking a day off to surprise them by cleaning the house or tackling tasks on your “honey-do” list is a romantic gesture.

10. Pretend that you have money.

Dreams and fantasies can be very romantic. Why not window-shop with your Valentine, either in person or online? Share with them the luxury items you’d buy if you had the means or the gifts you wish you could give them.

11. Go for quality, not quantity.

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

12. Make it a game.

Create a trail of love notes, each one expressing something you love about your Valentine and giving a clue to where the next note can be found. You can include as many notes as you like. The final note’s location is up to you and your imagination!

13. Declare your love online.

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

Don’t let Valentine’s Day pressure you into spending money you don’t have. Instead, do things your way. A loving relationship isn’t just about one special day — it’s about the love you share daily with your Valentine.

Reviewed January 2025