5 Ways To Make Valentine's Day Feel Special On A Budget

Modern-day life can often feel stressful and busy, and it’s easy to forget to make time for your partner. Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to put those stresses to the side, focus on each other, and celebrate the beautiful bond and life you share together. 

However, planning a romantic Valentine’s Day can turn into an expensive ordeal when you start totting up restaurant bills, gifts, flowers, or maybe a night away somewhere.

But it really doesn’t need to be. 

Love isn’t about how much money you spend. It is the thought that goes into your plans, the love you share, and the quality time you spend together, that really matters. 

As the owner of a small greeting card business, Jess A Little Creative, I know all too well how important the little things are. Those special messages written inside Valentine’s Day cards, the sharing of memories and the quality time together. Showing thought and love on Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be extravagant or expensive to be incredibly special and meaningful.

If you are looking for some ways to plan a special Valentine’s Day on a budget, look no further. I have compiled 5 key ideas to ensure the day feels special, that doesn't involve spending lots of money. These ideas are still thoughtful and romantic, so you can share special time with the one who means the most, without worrying about how much money you’re spending to do it.

 

1. Switch off all devices and enjoy some quality time together

It seems we are constantly at the mercy of our digital devices these days. Rarely a minute goes by where we don’t receive some notification or another, that takes our attention away from the present moment, and the person we are spending time with. 

So one easy way to make Valentine’s Day feel special, is to turn your devices off, so you ensure you are getting some proper quality time together without interruption. 

If turning your phones off feels a little extreme (or maybe it’s just not realistic for you if you need to be contactable in an emergency), here are some alternatives:

• Mute the apps that take up the majority of your attention 

• Switch your phone onto airplane mode if you still want to access your camera and take some nice photos of your Valentine’s Day celebrations.

• Temporarily uninstall the apps you feel most addicted to, so you can focus more attention on your partner.

There are lots of ways you can ensure your phone takes up less of your attention, so you can focus on having a fabulous time with your partner this Valentine’s Day.

 

2. Re-visit where you went on your first date, or re-create it at home

It can be hard to think of new and exciting things to do to celebrate Valentine’s Day each year, but sometimes it doesn’t need to be a new idea at all. A trip down memory lane can be the most special of all. 

The location of your first date is always going to be special, it is where your love story began after all! Whether you went to a coffee shop or a museum, had a romantic walk, or maybe something less conventional, it is a key and memorable event in your relationship, so why not visit that place again and stir up beautiful old memories together? 

If the place you went to on your first date was expensive, or maybe it’s no longer open, or isn’t local to where you now live, why not recreate it at home? 

Get creative, print off a sign of the place, recreate the same food, drinks and activities you shared, and bring an essence of that special time to your Valentine’s Day this year. 

Reliving those old memories will feel super special, make you feel all mushy and nostalgic, and doesn’t have to cost a lot either.

 

3. Write a heartfelt message inside a special Valentine's Day card

Giving your partner a Valentine’s Day card is one of the most popular, and special ways to celebrate the day. How often do you take the time to write down how you feel about your partner, and how much you love them? I’m guessing not very often! But these words will mean so much. 

And often they will mean more than any gift. Don’t feel pressure to buy an expensive gift this Valentine’s Day - words are so important too. 

If you aren’t sure what to write in your Valentine’s Day card, check out this blog where I provide you with 23 pre-written messages you can use: 23 Thoughtful Valentine's Day Card Messages For Your Partner

 

4. Relive amazing memories by looking through old photos

Most couples take lots of photos, but how often do you stop and look back through them? You and your partner have been on such a journey together, experiencing so much, so why not take a trip down memory lane and enjoy looking back on your time together? 

Depending how old you are and how long you’ve been together, this could mean hunting out some dusty old photo albums and flicking through the pages, or you could connect your phone to your TV, and scroll through some photo albums from your favourite holidays or memories together while snuggled up on the sofa. 

Light some candles, grab some snacks, and enjoy spending some time reminiscing on your wonderful memories.

It’s something different from the norm that will make Valentine’s Day feel really special, and it can also be done at home without spending any money. 

 

5. Cook your favourite meal together

Going out for a meal is getting more and more expensive. Instead of feeling pressure to go out and spend lots of money, why not stay in and have quality time together? 

You could spend time together cooking your favourite meal, or snack, or dessert, whatever you like making together. 

Or if you have a bit of budget, you could get a ‘dine in at home’ kit available from various supermarkets at this time of year, that makes cooking easy yet still feels special. Or alternatively, you could pick up your favourite takeaway.

It doesn’t have to be a fancy meal in a restaurant to make the day feel special.

 

 

……….........................................................................................................................

 

So there you have it, 5 easy ways to make Valentine’s Day feel special on a budget. From cooking together, to looking through old photos, recreating your first date, writing a special Valentine’s Day card, and most importantly stepping away from those devices so you get some proper time together, there are lots of ways you can make Valentine’s Day super special without having to spend lots. 

It’s all about quality time, and showing thought and love. As long as you make some proper time for each other, and do something you really enjoy, you can’t go far wrong. I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day together.

If you still need to get a Valentine’s Day card for your partner, please check out my range of cute and romantic Valentine’s Day cards, which are all blank inside, perfect for you to write that special message.

If you have enjoyed this blog, please sign up to my mailing list where you will receive more articles, news and updates from my greeting card business, Jess A Little Creative.

And if you have any more money-saving ideas for Valentine’s Day, please let me know and I will add them to this blog!

Happy Valentine’s Day you lovely people. Love, Jess x