Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Typically this is a day for sweethearts to shower each other with romantic gestures and gifts. For those without a fat wallet, Valentine’s Day can be an issue. It is also challenging for those without sweethearts! I happen to fall into both categories! However, I like to use this day to show my appreciation to those I love. Of course, this still leaves me with the tight budget issue!
As I brainstormed ideas for how to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, I decided to do a bit of research on the origin of this day. According to legend, St Valentine was a priest who defied Claudius’s ban on soldiers marrying. He performed secret marriages and when caught, he was sentenced to death. While in prison he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter. On his execution day, February 14th, he wrote her a love letter and signed it “from your Valentine”. Not exactly the love story you would expect!
Many individuals with disabilities live on very little income. Combine this with extra medical and transportation expenses and the Valentine’s Day budget shrinks even more. However, this is where creativity comes into play! So no need to stress yourself or your bank account this year! After all it is the thought that counts, not the price tag!
This year I wanted to show my mom how much I appreciate all she does for me. However, recent extra expenses have depleted my bank account. We have always loved the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum and we have not yet checked out the new exhibit yet. My grandparents have been wanting to also check out the display of quilts and woodworking, so we asked them and my brother to join! Family is priceless and the museum is free! My Valentine’s Day dilemma is solved!
There are many other Valentine’s Day ideas that can fit into a tight budget. I am not a romance expert by far, but I am an expert on making things work on a tight budget!
So after consulting with a few women in my life I came up with a Valentine’s Day on the Cheap List!
Netflix is the perfect option for a Valentine’s Day on the Cheap! Make a huge bowl of popcorn, turn off the lights and burn a few candles, a bottle of wine and a playlist of romantic movies! Or binge watch your partner’s favorite show! Also, if you are talented in the kitchen, create a theme meal to go with the movie. Here is a few examples of romantic movies on Netflix now:
Titanic
13 Going on 30
Hitch
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
The African Queen
Trainwreck
The Lunch Box
Love Actually
As Good as it Gets
Atonement
2. Create a Home Spa. Download meditation or new age music. Dim the lights and create a soothing environment. Massages, foot rubs, manicures, pedicures and facials always make a stressed out partner feel pampered. Don’t worry about your spa skills, it is definitely the thought that counts.
3. Create a playlist. Creating a playlist of your partner’s favorite music shows you care and are paying attention. Play the list while having dinner, playing games or just hanging out on the couch! Want to ramp up the romance points? Create a playlist of romantic dance music and dance the night away. Again, dancing skill is not as important as the thought.
4. Write a love letter. Life gets hectic and we forget to tell our partners how much they mean to us and how much we appreciate all that they do for us. So use this opportunity to compose a heartfelt handwritten, old school love letter. Make little hearts or drawings within the letter for that extra touch of romance.
Cooking for a Month!
5. Take over a chore for the month. This gives your partner a break from a dreaded chore and also let’s them know you appreciate how hard they work.
6. Visit an animal shelter together and take a dog for a walk. Not only is this a romantic (and free) date for a dog lover, it also brightens the day of a furry creature.
7. Read poetry in front of a fire. Don’t have a fireplace? No worries! If you have a Smart TV you can watch someone else’s fire! Or you can pull up the YouTube fire video on your computer screen. Don’t have a Smart TV or accessible computer screen? Get creative! Create a fireplace with construction paper! Additionally, you don’t have to be a poet! Simply look up various love poems on-line!
8. Make or order a heart-shaped pizza. I remember my parents talking about their first Valentine’s Day after they were married. Money was so tight, they struggled to afford to heat their house. My dad made a bed in front of the fireplace with couch cushions and ordered a heart shaped pizza. Actually, the fireplace was their only source of heat tat the time. However, on that night it added to the romance! Pure genius on my dad’s part!
9. Cook a themed dinner based on your partner’s favorite color! Of course, if your partner’s favorite color is black or purple, this may not be a good option! However, if it is red, you have hit the Valentine’s Day Jackpot because spaghetti is cheap!
10. Bundle up and head outside. Make snow angels, take a walk, or simply look up at the sky and talk about your dreams. Better yet, pick out a star and make it your own!
So, as I stated before, I am not a romance expert. You may look at this list and say “I understand why this guy is single!” Or you may think “I need a guy who thinks like this!” In that case, message me your digits!
Seriously, my goal was to show my readers, especially my broke readers, that romance does not have to come at a cost. However, it does take thoughtfulness, time and creativity. So plan ahead! If you put a smile on your partners face and a sparkle in their eyes, your mission is accomplished!
Until next time, Keep Rollin’ and Keep Smilin’
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