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  • Valentine Day Savings

    Frugal Valentines Day Gifts With Meaning

    The first thing to make clear when giving and receiving Valentine's Day gifts is that the cost of the gift doesn't equate the love you have for the person. While this may seem like a simple and obvious concept, it's getting more and more difficult to maintain with the growing commercialism that is surrounding the holiday. If you can take a moment to step back and remember that it is a day to show your love to another (and not about getting and receiving chocolate, roses and diamond rings) you will have taken the first step to making the day truly memorable without having to spend a lot of money.

    When considering what type of Valentine gift to give, take the time to think what your partner would truly appreciate. Again, this may seem like an obvious step, but it is surprising how many people don't take this into consideration. Many times they simply don't know and end up shopping for something they would like themself without even realizing it. If you aren't sure, take the time to ask. With the average person now spending around $50 for a Valentine gift, it pays to remember that getting a gift that is never used is a waste of money no matter how great a bargain you got on it.

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    As mentioned before, chocolate companies, flower shops and jewelers would love for you to think (and they spend a lot of money trying to convince you) that those items show your love. Chances are, however, that the gift your partner would really like to receive isn't anything that is available at the store. More than likely, simply spending time together doing something you both enjoy is the perfect gift. If you approach it from this perspective, there are a wide variety of activities that you can do together, have a great time, create some wonderful memories without spending an arm and a leg.

    If you feel that some type of material gift needs to be exchanged, it still doesn't have to be expensive to have meaning. Take some nice quality red colored paper, cut it into heart shaped pieces and put together a Valentine coupon book for your partner. The coupons can be for anything as simple as a kiss to as extravagant as your imagination wants to go. Coupons for short back rubs, foot massages, etc will always be well received and don't cost you anything but your time. Add in coupons for a home made candle light dinner, a breakfast in bed and a evening snuggled up by the fireplace watching a favorite video or any other activity that the two of you would enjoy and you have given a wonderful Valentine gift at practically no cost.

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    Another frugal Valentine gift that has much more meaning than anything you can get at the store is your memories or feelings. Again, cut out heart shaped pieces from some nice colored paper and write a reason that you are happy that you are together on each sheet. You can do the same thing with other themes as well such as favorite memories you have had together. Place them all in a jar adding a red ribbon and you have given your happiness for Valentine's Day.

    Valentine's Day may also be the perfect excuse for you to take out all your photos from the dresser drawer and put together a scrap book of memories for the past year. This is a wonderfully simple gift that can be duplicated year after year which the whole family can share together. If you don't have the time to do that this year, you can opt for your favorite photo of the past year placing it in a heart shaped frame.

    With lives getting busier and busier, simply taking some time away from your everyday routines may be a perfect gift. With Valentine's Day falling on a Friday this year, you may want to make it a weekend event spending the weekend together doing things you both enjoy. For some dating ideas that are fun while within anyone's budget you can take a look at our frugal dating article.

    Whatever you choose to give or do for Valentine's Day, by taking the time to to express your feelings from yourself and not what the commercial companies have tried to convince us all equates love, you will give a gift that will be appreciated by your partner long after the day is over.

  • #2
    Re: Valentine Day Savings

    Originally posted by Cassini
    Unfortunately we live in a material world (as Madonna said once) and whether you want it or not, the best way to show our love is to buy expensive or extravagant gifts for her or him.
    I think you came to the wrong forums

    I couldn't disagree more. By far the most memorable and important gifts I have received from my wife haven't cost hardly anything.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Valentine Day Savings

      I've always hated the idea of love becoming a commodity. And my boyfriend knows that well. So last year he spent a while collecting some red and shiny beans in a small box, and gave them to me together with a poem translated from some ancient Chinese love poem. Best Valentine's gift I've ever received.

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      • #4
        Re: Valentine Day Savings

        last year for mothers day what I got was the mopboards(floortrim) put up in my dinning room they had been bought but never installed

        when my truelove asked me what i would like I told him ,He says are you sure i said absolutely so he and the boys spent the morning installing them and I am still enjoying them to this day;-)

        Not sure what I want for valentines day yet but it will not cost much if anything

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        • #5
          Re: Valentine Day Savings

          Let me be the first to wish you all an early inexpensive but heartfelt Happy Valentines Day! Love you guys!! You add so much to my everyday world and here's your virtual...

          hugs n' such!!

          ~L.L. Frugalis
          Attached Files

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          • #6
            Re: Valentine Day Savings

            My Dh will be traveling over Valentines day - Just like he did last year. This year I will be taking a picture of myself and the kids and emailing it to him. The kids will also make him cards ahead of time that I will put into an envelope with intstructions not to open until told to. OUr email will say to open the cards. All that will cost is the price of crayons and construction paper that we already have.

            I'll be home with the kids and will make them a special dinner that we will eat together with candles lit. Should be fun!

            Anyone else have plans yet?

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            • #7
              Re: Valentine Day Savings

              We never go out on Valentines day unless it is the rare Saturday night date out. DH is very much the sentimental and would cry if I didn't give him something (he is like a CHILD and loves gifts

              Homemade reece's cups (his favorite two flavors together)? (that was a previous year and now he wants to 'diet')

              Romantic moonlight picnic on the beach complete with the smooching? (We did that too one year, it was murder finding a secluded spot, but I finally succeeded after several scouting trips)

              This year-A little red tinged fish or two for his 30 gal aquarium? (he already has kissing fish!)

              I have a fossil shark tooth pin also in my little store below priced to move.

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              • #8
                Re: Valentine Day Savings

                I am thiking of fudge shaped like a heart this year..I just have to figure out how to shape it....

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                • #9
                  G'day to Every one,

                  Thnx jeffrey gud article, i m agree with u.

                  thnx

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    We used to do the whole thing with going out to the restaurants, sometimes flowers, and a small box of candy. What we found out is that the resturants have lines, the food isn't that good, the flowers are horrible and it's tiring. Although, if you are a single or a young mother, this might be ideal for you just to get away from the house and kids.

                    We have been finding out something really funny about the flower market; after a holiday you can buy the prettiest and freshest flowers . We found this out at Xmas time. My husband picked up 1/2 dozen roses on December 31st and we couldn't believe how long they lasted and nice they smelled.

                    We, I should say that I plan a very special dinner that night to be eaten in the dining room with the dimmer switch and candles, with a great dinner, a bottle of wine, and a dessert. Sometimes, we will rent a movie. The savings alone is amazing and it becomes a really peaceful and special evening.

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                    • #11
                      Hmmm...I think I am a scrouge when it comes to Valentine's Day. I used to always buy my female friends a flower for the day because the school would do it as a fundraiser but when it comes to me, I prefer not to play.

                      I just don't like the whole commercial nature of it. But then I am not a romantic (though DH is). The closest I come to celebrating the day is watching a psycho stalker movie.

                      I probably should get something for my friend though since she doesn't have a bf this year for it...

                      Comment

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