This is the most boring time of the year for many people. Men because they wait for the last minute to arrive or they buy the usual chocolate or half withered flowers. Women because we receive the same old gifts. It definitely is the thought that counts, however, a teddy bear with a fake rose appears to give very little thought. It doesn't cost anything to be creative. There are many things that can be done by spending little to no money at all and have fun giving or receiving the gifts. Here are a few ways to spark up some flaming fires on this Valentines Day.
MAKE A PACT
What other way to save money than to make a pact.Make an agreement that you both will hand make each other's gifts. Exchange your gifts over dinner made by the two of you.
PICKLE JAR
Take a clean pickle jar and decorate the outside with hearts or a design that may fit the liking of you or your lover. Inside the jar should be filled with special messages to give encouragement, like but not limited to: inspirational messages, biblical scriptures or create your own message with the options of dinner,movie,date,chores,help notes,sweet nothings and etc... Be creative and remember what makes your love one happy and their needs. (For example: one note will read I'll wash dishes for a week, another may read Olive Gardens, the other reads back rub.) Cut out, fold the messages, and place them inside the pickle jar. Your love one can pick through the jar at their discretion. Valentines Day colors or shapes are optional. Give the jar with a wrapped gift and a brief instruction on how to use the jar.
RENT
Rent a massage table for you significant other. For my sister's anniversary she rented a massage table. It was placed in a room that her and her husband rarely used. She lead him to the bathroom where she allowed him to freshen up and greeted him with a warm towel straight out the dryer. They proceeded to the dining room where they had a candlelit dinner, with light music playing. After dinner, she took him to the room with the massage table. Awaiting for him was the massage therapist.
SCAVENGER HUNT
Last year, I used this idea for my boyfriend. Here is how it works. Lead a trail of roses or candy from destination to destination of your choice. Use areas like the bedroom,bathroom ,kitchen and etc... At each place you should have a card, note or gift that may lead to the next place. Best if use riddles, poems and gifts. (For example: Before I left for work, I planned a very special Valentine's Day hunt. My boyfriend would wake up and go straight to the kitchen every morning to get a glass of water. So, I taped a note on the cabinet that held the glasses. The note was a riddle leading him directly to the bathroom. Behind the bathroom door were a trail of rose petals leading to the bath tub. On the tub, there was another note explaining the bathroom instructions and what to do after he was done there. On the bed was his neatly pressed suite with 2 hand made individually wrapped cards in his pants pocket. He had the option to open only one card. I know he loves to look into the mirror while dressing. So,one card was dinner at home and the other card was dinner at home(he didn't know that no matter what card chosen they were both the same to ensure that we were going to be home for the plan to work completely) and at the bottom of both cards were the next clue that read, "Nothing fuels the flames of love like a vision of you,take a look into your eyes". As he looked into the mirror he was facing a red heart shape note that read,"Love does not mean we have to be up under each other, but on the same page at all times. I thought I would remind you,Don't forget your socks." In his sock drawer was my last surprise from Victoria Secret with a note that said, "after dinner)".
The best thing about this idea is it was enjoyable for the both of us. I didn't spend much of anything besides groceries for the evening. It does require you to know your partner a little bit to ensure that every note,riddle, or card is read in the set order.
Dress Up
If your on a budget make your date a romantic dinner with candles. Make it a requirement to dress up. Have music playing in the background, a beverage of your choice and dessert. Dressing up will give you the same feeling as if you were to go out. Be creative. Use heart shaped products sold at your nearest grocery store or Walmart for the Valentines feeling. Or use the icing that is used on cakes and decorate the plates with words,hearts of your choice.
BLINDFOLD
Feel like getting out the house. Make reservations to a restaurant. Blindfold your date the entire time. Once you are seated take off the blind folds. The dinner will appear to be a usual romantic dinner, but it will change every time the waiter comes to serve you. (For example: As the waiter brings out your drinks or appetizer he will also bring out a dozen roses. As the entree is served so will a envelope with your dates name on it. Enclosed in the envelope will be a message that will lead to the next gift). You can continue as many riddles,gifts, or poems as you like. I suggest when making reservations you mention your idea so that everything will go as planned. Also, be nice to the waiter for helping and tip big.
ENVELOPES
In many games there are cards like get out of jail free or go directly to GO collect 200 like such used in Monopoly. Only thing is you can only use these cards during the game. To enhance your relationship try creating some cards that can be used by your lover anytime. Here is what you can do: Make 3 free pass cards. The first pass can be to go anywhere, anytime. The second pass can be a coupon for free pampering, and the last pass can be used to get out of something card. To make it fun, at the bottom of each card list in small print what offers are good.(For Ex: the card will read FREE PAMPERING and the small print at the bottom should say offer expires in 12 months. One coupon per each year. Coupon can not be used for any other offers. Pampering will include one free manicure,foot rub,facial.) After making the passes place them along side of your dates Valentines gift or dinner. Be creative. You can even make skip passes, where your lover can opt out of something like grocery shopping or passes that allow your lover to get out of an argument.
COUNTDOWN
Every day depending on when you start this you should leave something for your date that will lead up to the special day on February 14. Be creative, Spend less. This idea was borrowed from Katie Sparrow.
Day 1 - one balloon that says "I Love You";
Day 2 - two coupons for various special favors or treats;
Day 3 - three love songs, some taped and some written words, that mean something special to us;
Day 4 - four love poems, I found on a postcard site and hand written;
Day 5 - five terms of endearment;
Day 6 - six chocolate candy hearts;
Day 7 - seven flowers;
Day 8 - eight heart shaped cookies;
Day 9 - nine message heart candies;
Day 10 - ten reasons (of the millions) why I love him;
Day 11 - eleven Hershey's hugs and kisses;
Day 12 (Valentine's) - twelve ways to say "I Love You", languages.
STUDENTS
There are many ideas you can do on a budget like sending a clue to your love one throughout the day. If you have money to spend you can buy roses and arrange for each friend to give one rose with an attached note or poem to your girl or guy. (For Ex: Place a rose in your lovers locker with a note leading to the next clue. Throughout the day have each one of their friends deliver to them a rose or clue leading to their gift.) I encourage you to use candy,handmade cards or shaped paper. Also, don't forget that you can always go bowling, skating or to the movies.
This idea could be modified for those couples who work or take college courses and know each others' schedules and locations during the day.
CATERING
If you are planning to cater to your lover all day this idea may be for you. Start off your day with breakfast in bed. Followed by a warm towel for your lover. If your Significant other has their own office, send them a fax for thought. It can say why you love them or a hint for what will take place later. If they do not have a fax machine, leave notes on the door, in the car on the steering wheel, in a text message and other places of your choice. If you know your lovers schedule, surprise them with a delivery lunch for one with a note that entails a special thought (when you place order you can ask order taker to give message with delivery or you can hand deliver it yourself). As the day progresses be creative and thoughtful with another clue leading to the ultimate gift. For more excitement, I suggest that you try not to see your lover at all until ready to give the ultimate gift.
SINGLES
Even though you are as single as a $1 bill and may not have a significant other, you can still enjoy this day with your kids, or family and friends. Make dinner, go out to eat, exchange gifts, enjoy a night out at the movies or something.
Anyone can catch your eye, but there is only one that will have your heart. Share these creative ways with someone special. You can use these ideas to make any day special not just Valentines Day. The purpose is for you to be creative and have fun on a budget.
Send pictures and stories of your day to
yemiahlmani@yahoo.com or post here in the comment section.
