Valentine’s Day is one of the most difficult holidays for me to buy a gift for my husband. There are lots of traditional gift choices for women such as; flowers, a box of chocolates, jewelry, etc., but there aren’t as many traditional options to give men. For the gift-giver who wants to give something special, it can be challenging. The price of traditional Valentine’s Day gifts can become expensive around the holiday because the price increases significantly. The price of roses can easily increase threefold around the holiday. The cost can be prohibitive for couples on a budget. However the gift-giver may still want to give a meaningful gift.
There are ways to make this holiday special and adhere to your budget. The key is to invest time and thought in to making the gift special. A low cost or no cost gift with some consideration for the recipient’s interest or needs can be a most cherished gift. Gifts involving forethought and planning are special because the gift-receiver knows the gift-giver created the gift especially with them in mind. So, this year when thinking about gifts for Valentine’s Day use your imagination, invest time and come up with a gift unique to the receiver. For instance, if you have small children, take a break and have grandma babysit overnight. Does your loved one have a special interest? Do they have a favorite place or activity?
Here are a few ideas to get you started. Use these as a “jumping off” point to launch your own ideas:
- Put together a basket or backpack with a “No Cook” meal. Put the meal together by adding items that don’t have to be cooked. In your “No Cook” meal include items like carrots, apples, grapes, peppers, cheeses, hard meats (like salami or pepperoni), hummus for the vegetables, crackers, nuts, wine or sparkling cider, etc.
- Spread a blanket on the floor in front of a fireplace with a roaring fire. Lower the lights. Put together a picnic with a “No Cook” meal. Eat it on your blanket.
- Take your partner to a favorite area in a park or in the woods for a picnic. Bring a blanket, a basket with a “No Cook” meal.
- Make a love nest on the floor with comforters and quilts in front of the TV and watch a romantic movie. Add popcorn and your favorite beverage.
- Draw a bath for your partner with scented Epsom salts. Place some candles around the room and stream some relaxing music for ambiance.
- Make a play list of music that is meaningful or that expresses your feelings about them. Play the music while enjoying dinner.
- Stream a tutorial video from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, or You Tube on beginning massage and give your partner a massage. You can add a small gift bag of massage oils, coupons for future massages from you, bath salts, etc.
- Make lunch for your partner and include a love note on a napkin, candy conversation hearts, etc.
- Hire a tennis instructor to give you both tennis lessons for a day.
Have fun putting your ideas together. Make it unique and include elements that are uniquely your partner’s likes and interests.
Web sites for gift suggestions:
Personalizationmall.com
https://www.care.com/a/8-free-or-almost-free-valentines-day-ideas-1201270648
http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/free-printable-love-coupons.html
http://www.smartmarriages.com/uploaded/50.Cheap.Valentine.Ideas.Kurland.pdf