3 ways to go out on Valentine’s Day romantically but on a budget

You can celebrate the big day without spending a fortune.

Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it. And if you haven’t started planning for it yet, well, you better get moving.

But if money is tight, which is the case for many right now due to inflation, then you may be dreading Valentine’s Day more than looking forward to it. After all, there is a lot of pressure to spend money. you may prefer to keep in your savings account instead.

Plus, many people are still struggling with credit card debt left over from the holidays. If that’s the boat you’re in, you might not want to shell out a chunk of money to go out for an expensive dinner and another gift in the spring when you’ve recently blown your Christmas gift budget.

According to the National Retail Federation, consumers will spend a whopping $25.9 billion on Valentine’s Day this year. Overall, consumers intend to spend an average of $192.80 individually. If that doesn’t work for your budget, here are other ways you can celebrate your loved one without breaking the bank.

1. Cook a meal at home with a variety of dishes

If you’re making dinner reservations for Valentine’s Day, you’re likely looking at an inflated, pre-selected menu that allows you to spend a lot more than you normally would for a night out. Instead of going that route, cook a fabulous meal at home. Spring for higher-quality ingredients than you’d normally buy and prepare extra courses to make it more of an event than just a regular meal on your dining room table.

And don’t forget about the atmosphere. Light candles and break out the beautiful tablecloth you use for special occasions. Your loved one may appreciate your efforts.

2. Make your own candy

It is customary to give heart-shaped chocolates and other delicate sweets on Valentine’s Day. But guess what? You can buy your own heart shaped silicone candy molds online for just a few dollars. From there you need to buy some decent chocolate, melt it, pour it into the molds and let your tray sit in the fridge for a few hours. Generally, you can gift heart-shaped chocolate for half the price you would pay at a fancy chocolate shop.

3. Give a gift from the heart

Searching for Valentine’s Day jewelry can be really long for you. Instead of going that route, make your partner something they will appreciate. Write them a poem or song, or find a great photo from your last vacation and frame it. There are many homemade gifts you can make that won’t cost a lot while still meaning a lot.

Some people are not fond of Valentine’s Day and skip it altogether. But if it doesn’t work out with your partner, it’s probably not worth the struggle. However, that doesn’t mean you should give up spending more than you’re comfortable with. Instead, get creative at home so your loved one will remember Valentine’s Day for a long time.