Finding a unique Valentine’s Day gift isn’t always easy. Wouldn’t it be great to have Cupid drop out of the sky and function as your very own personal shopper? He could swoop down with his bow and arrow to snag the ideal present for that special someone.
If you’re tired of defaulting to the same old gifts every year, like flowers, chocolates or teddy bears for the special person in your life, here’s a variety of ideas to choose from for Valentine’s Day. The good news is that they won’t break your budget, either.
1. Ask questions.
The beginning phases of a relationship tend to be filled with long conversations in order to get to know each other better. Over time, those types of bonding sessions can be fewer and far between. Natasha Burton, author of “101 Quizzes for Couples,” wanted to rekindle that type of meaningful connection with her own significant other. She decided to create a quiz book to spark conversations that could foster a deeper emotional connection on a regular basis. You could use it as a basis of a fun (and frugal) date night on the holiday.
2. Stay home.
A fancy restaurant or high-priced flowers aren’t the only ways to show how much you care. Tiffany Aliche, founder of TheBudgetnista.com, explains that as a broke college student, she got creative with limited funds. She transformed her living space into a more romantic setting with a trip to the dollar store; she suggests tea light candles and artificial rose petals. Then, you can sit down with your date to a homemade picnic-style meal.
3. Cook.
If you like to kick back at home and make a special meal as a gift, cook your significant other’s favorite meal or try something new. If you’re a novice but don’t want to appear that way, try Pampered Chef recipes. They are tasty, easy to make and look impressive with little effort.
If you are decent cook, try making a something different. You might even discover a new recipe that becomes a household staple. That’s what happened to be with a Giada De Laurentiis recipe for risotto; I still make it for special occasions.
4. Bring the bling.
If you and your sweetheart like jewelry, consider engraving your name on pendant necklaces, keychains and other accessories. Some websites even offer photo pendants, bracelets and charms with color photo and laser hologram engravings. You can enjoy bling without shelling out hundreds (or thousands) on traditional gemstones and diamonds.
5. Get personal.
If you rather show your affection on fabric rather than jewelry, handkerchiefs are making a comeback. Whether you plan to propose on Valentine’s Day or you’d just like an embroidered message to express your feelings, it’s a nice handmade option from the heart.
When Steve and Jennifer Chou of BumbleBeeLinens.com got engaged, the bride-to-be knew she would cry tears of joy at the altar on their big day. In an effort to be prepared, she looked all over to find an elegant handkerchief versus using a ratty tissue for their photos.
After failed attempts to find any in the United States, the couple bought a caseload from a Chinese manufacturer. Chou points out that after using five or six from their bulk purchase, they had a few hundred to spare and listed the rest on EBay. The couple found that they sold quickly, and it gave them a business idea.
Today, they are the largest handkerchief store on the Internet and offer not just linens but also lessons on how and when to use them. As a bonus, substituting cloth for paper can also help the environment and reduce your waste. For a holiday like this one, you could consider vintage-inspired hankies or personalized ones with your names or monogram. It might feel old-fashioned in the most romantic way possible.
Valentine’s Day comes once a year. If you want to rekindle the romance while you’re low on funds, choose inexpensive options like the ones mentioned to make an extra special effort. Your sweetheart, and your bank account, will appreciate it. You might also want to consider discussing your plans beforehand, to make sure you’re on the same page, and agree on taking a frugal approach to romance this year.
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5 Unusual and Affordable Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day originally appeared on usnews.com