With Valentine’s Day just around the corner I thought I’d offer some suggestions for a fantastic day with out breaking the bank. After all Valentine’s Day is about Love and not expensive gifts!
If you haven’t already gotten your special someone a gift you don’t have to break your budget in order to say “I love you” because there are plenty of options out there…
Cash In Some Points:
I always find holidays a great time to cash in a few points; let’s not forget that there is bonus redemption at Shopper’s Drug Mart this weekend which includes makeup, skincare, fragrances, nail care, hair colour, jewellery and foam bath.
You could surprise your special someone with a new perfume or cologne or wouldn’t it be romantic to use your points for a fragrant bubble bath (for two?).
A Romantic Evening: Staying in Vs. Going Out:
If you’re date nights are anything like mine, they usually consist of dinner and a movie which can really eat away at your extra spending money. Let’s face it, going out can get expensive. The average dinner for two at a restaurant is $45 (not including tip!) and an average trip to the movie theatre for two (including popcorn and drinks) is $40. That’s a lot of cash to blow in a few hours. In our house we try and compromise by choosing to either go out for dinner and stay in for a movie or go out to a movie and stay in for dinner.
Flowers:
Who doesn’t like getting flowers? They’re an instant smile maker and they can really brighten your winter blahs. You don’t need to buy expensive roses from a florist to make someone smile. Lots of grocery stores offer a great selection of bouquets, plants and single roses at really affordable prices; you might even consider buying potted flowers instead of cut flowers (they’re the gift that keeps on giving!). And since most grocery stores offer points on purchases you’re not just saving money, you’re also earning points for freebies in the future.
The Card:
The card is what I look forwards to most on Valentine’s Day. I love knowing that the person I love took the time to pick out just the right one that expresses how they feel about me. And I love taking the time to do exactly the same thing for them.
Carlton Cards has a printable coupon for $2 off when you buy 2 cards. You can get it HERE.
There are plenty of great ideas out there for making memories with out spending a great deal of money so go ahead and share some of yours!
What are your plans for this February 14th?
Remember that the real deal comes from spending time with the ones you love and showing them how much you care.
Nice post! thumbs up!
Valentine’s Day is one of those days when it’s nice to splurge on your loved one though. Of course it’s important to show love everyday of the year and not just on Valentine’s Day. We are going to Medieval Times, thanks to a special offer (that I posted earlier on the blog too).
Using points is a great idea.
Personally, I find most cards are just too generic (or worse still, they’re about things that aren’t relevant to my/our situation), so I usually buy a pretty *blank* card & write something heartfelt in it.
I’ve also been known to make love coupons in the past. Each one was redeemable for a special something, like a massage, dinner, or breakfast in bed. There are great ideas available online, but I was always careful to slip in something specific to us, to make sure that they knew I’d taken the time to think up things they’d really want/appreciate.
This year, we’re going skating on the river (with some spiked chai in our thermoses). We’ll come home to a hot meal (cooked in the crockpot!) & after, we’ll cuddle on the sofa until bedtime…
‘love coupons’ is a great gift for the Vday! funny, inexpensive, creative in mind…on top of that, a small heart-shape-gel-heating-messager from downtown Yorkville store is firing the day! we enjoyed cuddling with a movie too…
My hubby and I are getting a chocolate fondue going for a romantic night at home… why fight with other couples for restaurant reservations?! I will likely spend money on Valentine’s Day chocolates starting February 15th, when all the V day sweets get discounted!!!
Wow, I don’t know where you live, but dinner for two in a nice restaurant is about 80.00 around here…I liked your suggestions, thank you! This is one year that we actually ARE going to be staying home due to finances..and you’re right, the thing I personally look most forward to is the card.
Happy Valentines Day!
I hate cards. I find that they are usually tossed in the garbage once the occasion has passed: Not good for the environment, and trees are used to make the cards which are bought by billions of people all over the world.
I like e-cards. They are environmentally friendly. You can save them or hit “delete”.
I like a little marking of the occasion, but i feel once you’ve been together, you are better off doing something small that day, and sharing the love all year. 🙂 This year we are going to our favourite breakfast place (if was a have ‘a restaurant’ this is it), and then going on a guided walking tour in High Park – we are trying to make sure we stay active and healthy in the winter, so this is good for our hearts. (hearts – see?) and then my honey is making me dinner, which is a treat because i always cook and he cleans.
Great article Ashley!!! Im making IHOP style pancakes for breakfast… and DH is working 🙁 so no other plans here… not that we can afford them anyway with our upcoming trip…
I really enjoyed this post. Cards are my favourite, too.
Well…sorry to say I am alone this Valentine’s day and spending my time grocery shopping and seeing all the people out there buying cards and flowers..but if I did have someone special I would take advice from article. Good if your watching your budget!!
Marie…go treat yourself!! I’m sure you deserve it! 🙂
I just love what this article is saying. To the most important love of my life, you ain’t worth the extra few dollars. I’m surprised you didn’t suggest to hang around a funeral home to get some really cheap flowers or around the refuse bin at the local grocers to get some expired chocolates…or even dinner. You can sure save a bundle for that special someone. You people are sure winners.
winners save money…
Yep thats right me! winners do save money! personally I would rather save the money we could have used on dinner out, or cards, for our up and coming trip later in the year…. Where I know we will be eating out alot….
My husband I have been together 10 years and have never done the Valentine’s D. thing. I consider it a Hallmark holiday and love the fact that he tells me he loves everyday of the year, not just February 14th. I would much prefer to get flowers at random days throughout the year, when we don’t spend twice the amount on them. He treats me to foot massages and home dinners all the times. Instead of V.day, we always celebrate our anniversay … normally, we take some sort of a trip… sometimes small … sometimes bigger… this year… we are going to be in Paris for our anniversay (does not get much more romantic than that). So if I have to choose… I will take our anniversay plans over Valentine’s Day anytime… That’s just my attitude… for all of you who love Valentine’s Day … enjoy every moment.. 🙂
It was all about Zombieland on DVD, DEE-liscious cupcakes from Mabel’s at 325 Roncesvalles and love hearts this year. Very low key.
You gave honest ideas there. I did a search on the issue and got most peoples will agree with your blog.