Valentine's Day Ideas

Unlike some holidays, where the focus is about people gathering to celebrate an event, Valentine’s Day is about two people celebrating their relationship for one day. On the upside, this means you don’t have to worry about travel or coordinating guests or the wants and needs of anyone except the two people involved. Yay!

On the downside, the media and society create a lot of pressure about what's essentially a made-up holiday. Now, I'm on board with holidays - made up or otherwise. It's nice to have something to look forward to, and what better is there to celebrate than love?! But keep it real. If you're visiting Laughing Wallet, you're looking to keep life simple and frugal, so don't get caught up in hype. Keep the focus on the two of you, what it is you're celebrating and what kind of celebration makes sense for your life.

Decorating

Cards

Go digital. I think a handmade card is preferable to an e-card for this particular holiday because it shows effort, but if your sweetie prefers digital to paper (some people do), there are a number of websites that offer free cards you can send.

Gifts

Skip the jewelry. Unless you’re proposing, jewelry isn't necessary. Advertisers may tell you that the proof of your love is a gold and diamond bauble, but you know that ain't right! If you're sweetie truly does love the bling, plan ahead and buy that heart-shaped pendant on Feb. 15, on clearance, for next year.

A rose by any other name. If you want to be traditional and buy flowers, don't buy the standard dozen red roses. If your love has a favorite flower, it would mean more to buy them a bouquet of that flower, because it shows you’re thinking about them and what they would like, rather than what marketers tell you you’re supposed to buy.

If their favorite flower is expensive, or [gasp!] red roses, buy one or just a few of the favorite flower, and build a bouquet around it from less expensive flowers. And if they prefer plants to flowers, that’s even better, since a plant won’t be dead in a week!

Candy by any other wrapping. Candy is a traditional gift for this holiday, but not everyone wants it. If your partner is on a diet, for instance, they may not appreciate the temptation. If you know that it would be appreciated, though, don't feel obligated to buy the holiday-themed candy in a heart-shaped box or specialty wrapping. Buy a treat you know they would enjoy and wrap it yourself in some red tissue paper or with red bows or ribbon left over from Christmas. It will taste just as good as the candy that comes held by a stuffed bear with glitter hearts for eyes.

Make your gift an activity. Valentine's Day ideas for gifts don't have to be traditional. Is there something your honey has been wanting to do, and you just haven't made time for it? Why not make this the day you watch that romantic comedy or go see that museum exhibit? Time together may be the best gift you can give your partner.

Wrap romantic. A gift that may not seem all that romantic can become so with the right wrapping. Use red tissue paper or leftover red Christmas wrapping paper and glue or stamp hearts on it. Or use red paper wrapped with pink ribbon. Or use white paper and write messages all over it professing your love!

Make it a party. Want to share that lovin' feeling with your friends, too? Maybe you have loved ones who don't have a Valentine and you don't want them to sit at home alone watching jewelry commercials all night. Throw a party! Some Valentine's Day ideas for parties include:

• A red theme: Tell everyone to dress in red, decorate in red and serve red food. Get clever: Have the movie "Reds" or "The Man with One Red Shoe" showing on TV during the party or play songs with "red" in the title throughout the night.
• A chocolate theme: Chocolate is often associated with Valentine's Day, so it's the perfect time for chocolate party. Have guests bring their favorite chocolate desserts, and see if you can borrow a chocolate fountain and put out unusual snacks to dip in. Partnered or not, no one will want to miss a chocolate party!
• Share your favorite love scene: I don't mean act it out! Tell your guests to bring a DVD of the movie with their favorite love scene - the parting scene in Casablanca? The spaghetti scene in Lady & The Tramp? Have everyone note where in the movie their scene is, then show each one and make the guests guess whose favorite each scene is.

The Dinner

Eat in. Make your house the most romantic spot in town. Cook your sweetie's favorite meal, light some candles, play some mood music and wear something sexy. You won't miss the crowds or the snootie waiter, and your partner will be glad you're not sharing the dining room with anyone else.

Make a romantic picnic. Eating out doesn't have to mean a restaurant. Pack a basket with goodies and head to a beautiful spot for your own romantic dinner, al fresco. If it's too cold where you live to eat outside in February, check around town and see if there are indoor spaces suited for a picnic. Some public areas, such as parks or gardens, have indoor venues that allow visitors to bring in their own food.

Celebrate early or late. The prime time for a Valentine's Day dinner is the evening of February 14, but you don't have to celebrate when the masses do. If you want to eat out for the big day, try a breakfast or lunch outing, which will be much less expensive, or celebrate a day before or after the actual holiday. Some restaurants restrict their food to a special - and usually expensive - menu Valetine's night, so eating a day early or late could actually provide you with a more satisfying, as well as affordable, meal.

How do you keep Valentine's Day frugal and romantic?

Do you know how to show your Valentine they're invaluable without emptying your laughing wallet? Tell your fellow readers!

Halloween Ideas

Thanksgiving Ideas

Christmas Ideas

Frugal Holidays

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