frugal valentine gift ideas

Traditionally, Valentine’s Day is all about handmade cards and love notes (with flowers and chocolate for good measure). In recent times, Valentine’s Day has gotten pretty commercialised, and hand made notes of love have given way to mass produced greeting cards.

Despite the commercialism, I feel like we don’t celebrate enough special moments. I used the think that gestures of love shouldn’t be restricted to just one day a year, but then I thought about just how often we actually stop and make those gestures throughout the year (not often enough). Valentine’s Day is a good reminder to stop and think about that significant other in your life (or to approach someone you want to be your significant other).

A handmade card or gift, a lovingly prepared meal, chocolates (I’ll take chocolates any day) or a warm sentiment thoughtfully expressed are just a few ideas to make Valentine’s Day (or any other day) special.

1. Write a love note / poem / letter / song

This is the traditional Valentine. A handwritten, personal letter is something that will always be treasured. Alternatively, you could leave love notes in your Valentine’s lunch box, write a poem or your own song to serenade your Valentine with.

2. Make a Valentine’s Card

A handmade card, as opposed to the commercial variety, shows that you’ve put some thought and care into it. The last card I made was from scraps around the house. Save junk mail that comes on pretty coloured paper – once it’s stuck down you can’t see the writing – also keep envelopes that others have sent cards in as hey too can be cut up. With some old lace from the sewing basket and a few scraps of pretty paper, you can make quite a nice card without spending anything while still maintaining the sentiment.

3. Buy the rose bush rather than just the rose

Flowers are a traditional Valentine’s gift, but for a gift that keeps on giving a rose bush (or other flowering plant) is a good (and cheaper) alternative. You can get miniature potted roses that make a nice gift.

4. Cook a special candlelight meal

A meal that involves table linen and candles is in our house a long way from the usual gobble-in-front-of-the-TV affair. A touch of atmosphere adds a touch of romance to even the most ordinary moments.

5. Give a bunch of handmade origami flowers

When I was in college, I made a bouquet of origami flowers that sat in an old wine bottle on my desk. Long after real flowers are dead and gone, these flowers keep brightening up a room and serve as a reminder. Browse through Google Images for design inspiration – there are some absolutely stunning displays of origami flowers as wedding decorations.

 

6. Send an SMS or email

A cheeky SMS at work can make someone’s day. Personally, an email isn’t as “special” as a handwritten note, but again, it’s about what you write, not how you send it.

7. Do some special baking

Red velvet cake makes great Valentines baking because of it’s bright red colour contrasted with the white cream cheese icing. For the recipe check out the Joy of Baking or for an alternative recipe that substitutes the buttermilk and vinegar with sour cream see the Art of Desert.

Any kind of baking is always well accepted though, and using heart shaped tins or cookie cutters makes it that little bit special. Don’t splurge though on special tins that will sit in the cupboard for the rest of the year. If you’re wanting to make heart shaped cup cakes, roll up a small amount of foil into a ball and drop in down between the patty case and the tin to give your cake a heart shape. For a heart shaped cutter, cut the bottom off a clean tuna tin and using pliers, bend it into a heart shape.

Other ideas: my friend cut heart shapes out of toast and spread them with strawberry jam for a special breakfast for her husband. You could also make some chocolates and wrap them with paper that has handwritten special messages on it. 

8. Give the gift of you

I’m not necessarily talking about wrapping yourself up in a big bow (although I’m sure that won’t go unappreciated) but personalised gift certificates for things like massages and romantic dinners can make a thoughtful gift without costing a lot of money. And at the end of the day that’s what we want from our Valentine, quality time together.

9. Create a personalised gift basket

My DH gave me a gift basket when we were first dating, he made up a box (painted it and everything) and filled it with little goodies like bath soaps and other smelly stuff. It was obvious that he had gone to a fair bit of effort and it was well received. A personalised gift basket for Valentines day could include things to use together on the day like a bottle of wine or a personal CD compilation of favourite romantic songs.

10. Scrapbook

A scrapbook of special moments, memories, sentiments and keepsakes will have sentimental value for the rest of your life. If scrapbooking isn’t your thing, a simple photo in a photo frame is also a well received gift. 

Tomorrow, I’ll share some handmade Valentine’s ideas from around the web.

Do you give Valentine’s gifts? What is the best ever Valentine’s gift you’ve ever received?

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