How to Survive Valentine's Day on a Low Budget

Valentine's Day is most often the holiday to shower your significant other with roses, decadent chocolates, expensive jewelry, and succulent dinners. But what about those of us who are on a low budget? Well, there is actually still hope for us. On a low budget, we can find very romantic ways to express our love to the number one in our lives.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• About 25.00 dollars for pink post-it notes, a Valentine's card, white candles, 2 long-stemmed roses, candy, and a budget meal.
• Time
• A Creative Mind

1. You will first need to visit your local "Dollar Store" and pick up the items suggested: Pink or Red Post-It notes, two taper or pillar candles preferably in red or white, candy of your choice, a Valentine's card, and maybe even some cute Valentine's Dinner Plates. Many Dollar stores also carry single stemmed roses. Please DON'T underestimate dollar stores when it comes to holidays. They can be a real life-saver. You'll find musical Valentine's cards and candies that would cost you six or seven times as much at other retail stores. Why pay three or four dollars for post-it notes when you can get them for a BUCK!!

2. After you leave the dollar store, you should have about 15.00 dollars left over from the initial $25.00. With this remaining amount you want to hit the grocery store. What is your significant other's favorite "fun food?" Hot dogs, Hamburgers, Fried Chicken, Pizza, Bacon & Eggs? The list goes on. "Fun Food" is appropriate for Valentine's because it is heart-warming, comforting, and nostalgic. It can also bring back memories of a good time you two once shared over a hot dog or hamburger. Valentine's plates, two lit candles, and two long-stemmed roses will only enhance this heart-warming meal when placed on the dinner table. Two roses and two candles that both signify the love that you and your number one share on this special day. Who cares if dinner costs less than 15 bucks: You've got your sweetie right beside you!

3. When arriving home from the stores, you'll want to take the post-it notes and write sweet messages or IOU's on them. Place them around the house where you know your number one will find them. For example, you could write an IOU for a back massage at anytime and stick the post-it note where your sweetie keeps a toothbrush. Sticking post-it notes in the refrigerator is a sure way to know that your significant other will find it. You can even write notes that give free passes on doing the dishes, the laundry, or the vacuuming. These little things will all add up to make your man or woman have the BEST VALENTINE'S DAY EVER!!

4. Enjoy the dinner and conversation, and know that you have created one very memorable, inexpensive way to celebrate Valentine's Day!

Tips & Warnings

• Keep an open mind: Anything that you think seems too goofy may just turn out to be exactly what your number one needed this Valentine's Day.
• Add a little red to your meals if appropriate for the palate: Tomatoes, Ketchup, Maybe some roasted red bell peppers for that hamburger.
• Last but not least: Give your full attention and a loving attitude to your sweetie on this very special day.

[jenswick]

on 2/14/2008 Wow...this sounds like an incredibly sweet, thoughtful yet fun way to spend valentine's day!!! when i get a "#1" guy this is definetely they way I would like to spend it...

[butrflygdss]

on 2/13/2008 This is a great fun, easy, and cheap idea to celebrate Valentines. I love the dollar store, but never thought to use it this way. I will definitely try this, this year!! Thanks!!!