Loving with diamonds and a five-star dinner is neither an obligation nor a meaningful declaration of love for Valentine's Day. Having the means to pay for expensive gifts and experiences does not exempt those who make them from expressing their love in a personal way, nor does it exempt those who receive them from reciprocating that love with equal sincerity.
If you are worried that your budget is not enough to allow you to give your loved one an unforgettable Valentine's Day, try to realize that the best thing that can happen on Valentine's Day is that your partner goes out with her. absolute certainty of being loved, of being covered with attention and of being wanted. Save the money and still have a great Valentine's Day.
Steps
Method 1 of 1: Make Valentine's Day Special without Spending Too Much
Step 1. Avoid equating love with consumption
It is easy to get bogged down in the shopping frenzy that revolves around Valentine's Day, just as large distributions compete to make the most of love stories and inspired lovers. However, love does not consist in the exchange of material goods; rather, it is the sum of all that is given over time, attention, and the consequent recognition by the other. And none of these things can be bought. Once you start seeing Valentine's Day from the perspective that it is about recognizing and celebrating your love through time spent together, it becomes easier to recognize an opportunity for a perfect date in a cheap Valentine's Day.
Step 2. Minimize something, rather than do without it
One of the tricks to save is to still insist on traditional Valentine's Day accessories, but to reduce them. For example, instead of giving your girlfriend a dozen roses, give her only one rose, holding it between your teeth, and showing off your skills as a Spanish dancer. Or, give away a chocolate bar from a reputable brand rather than a whole box of expensive chocolates. In this way, you can still be faithful to the essence of Valentine's Day, but spending very little.
Step 3. Make something with your own hands
A homemade postcard is always more meaningful than a purchase. It says not only what you write in it, but also "I took the time to do this because I take care of you so much that I give you that time." If the memories fade, the postcard is likely to be kept for many years to come! You can do many other things. Use your skills when giving gifts. For example, if you are a gardening enthusiast, pick something from your garden, if you are a skilled cook, prepare something delicious, if you love being outdoors, organize a guided walk in nature, or give a lesson in your favorite sport.
Step 4. Think of something you can do for your partner
A great way to show your love can be with coupons or love vouchers. These can include promises ranging from the mundane to the extremely sexy, all based on what you are willing to do for your love. Make a large heart out of colored cardboard and pin as many coupons as you want on it. Here are some examples:
- With this voucher you can have me wash the dishes for a week, without having to ask.
- With this voucher you are guaranteed to watch one season of your favorite TV show to share with me. And with the promise that there will be no zapping during the aforementioned show.
- With this voucher you can receive a loving foot massage. This voucher can be redeemed at any time.
- With this voucher you can have a massage in a foam-filled bathtub. At any time of day or night.
- With this voucher you can make out for a long time in front of a movie of your choice.
- With this voucher you will have access to the night of your wildest dreams. You can redeem this coupon when you are in the mood.
Step 5. Exchange economic but tender gifts that remind you of each other, for any reason
You can also start on your own, or you can suggest it as your tradition for each Valentine's Day. The gift should be very inexpensive, and it should remind you of some experiences you have shared. Write a cute card describing the gift, but don't be too cheesy in what you write. For instance:
- A cheap glass ball with fake snow inside and two hearts. You write that it reminds you of that night when she fell in the snow and, when you helped her up, you couldn't help but notice how adorable she was so covered in snow.
- A plastic keychain in the shape of a surfboard. You write that it reminds you of that month you spent surfing in Bali and how it was there that you realized you wanted to surf with her for the rest of your life.
- A pin with the image of a computer and a mouse. You write that it's a reminder of how the two of you met online and how you'll never forget how good it was to see her smile for the first time in video chat.
Step 6. Offer your time
Giving someone your time is a romantic gesture par excellence. It will mean a lot if you are usually in a hurry and for once you choose instead to dedicate the whole day to your loved one, doing things together that have nothing to do with working, supporting a family, paying bills, etc. Banish the mundane and make all day activities revolve around the two of you together. In this regard, give all your attention to your partner, listen to him, and take the opportunity to share your dreams and hopes for the future, including the renewal of dreams that may have been taken for granted and put aside over time..
If possible, find a babysitter for the children so that they are truly alone. Otherwise, let the children understand that this is a day exclusively for “mom and dad” and get help to make it special
Step 7. Plan a special evening to spend at home together
Prepare dishes with a higher degree of difficulty. It doesn't have to be expensive food; he simply takes the time available to make the dishes more complex and interesting than the usual everyday ones. Check the Internet for ideas on recipes to help you turn ordinary ingredients into something fabulous. If you're planning on watching a special DVD together, be sure to make some delicious popcorn to share.
- Write "I love you" on the plate using food! Use your loved one's favorite food if possible.
- Make a heart-shaped pizza.
- Playing board games is another fun option to spend the evening in an atmosphere of playful rivalry. Or, play a video game or online game that both of you would be deeply involved in and really enjoy.
Step 8. Go look at the stars
Put on warm clothes and go out to observe the night sky. If you need to move elsewhere, make sure you have picnic rugs, a thermos with a hot drink, some snacks, and a full tank of fuel. Find a place on the outskirts where the sky is clear. Also bring a star map and look for the stars you know. Choose a star of your own and make the promise that you will look for it again every Valentine's Day.
Step 9. Be spontaneous
Do what is unexpected and surprise your loved one. Secretly, learn a few dance steps and wow her by taking her out dancing. Memorize her favorite poem and recite it after dinner, then give her a rose you have grown yourself. Make her think she has to spend the evening watching a movie at home, then suddenly she exclaims, “Oh my God! I almost forgot…! . And drag her out the door to watch the sunset, to go to the movies or to a band concert, or to go and do whatever else you see fit.
Step 10. Take a walk in the places of his memories
Take your love to a place they told you was special to him when he was a child. Spend time walking around there and ask him questions about his feelings. Explain to him that, it is true, it may no longer be the same place as when he was little, but that now at least he will have two memories of that special place - one without and the other with you. Make sure you take a picture of yourself together there!
Another way to remember the past is to take out old photos and look at them together. Look at the photos of both of your childhoods and then those of your time together. It's nice to have an excuse to enjoy all those put away and forgotten photos
Step 11. Say "I love you"
It costs nothing, but it says and means a lot. Do not be shy; say it many times throughout the day. Talk about your love as you really feel it. She will appreciate your honesty and it will be more valuable than any other gift.
Advice
- Whatever you do, put your all into it. It will always be noticed.
- If you are not convinced of what you are doing, it will not be a success, so discard the idea. There is nothing worse than having a thousand problems on the day of love.
- Ask someone to help you improve your idea, review it with you, or help you make it happen.
Warnings
- Turn off your cell phone to avoid being interrupted. This may require you to turn off your computer as well, if you decide to spend the evening together at home.
- There is a difference between the sweetish-cute and the too sweet. The line that separates them is thin. Don't cross it.
- If you are still concerned that your love may want an expensive gift rather than your kind words and actions, keep in mind that no gift can replace honest expressions of love; a gift made in an attempt to justify the lack of affectionate gestures for the rest of the year, in fact, will never be able to compensate for such negligence.
