Frugal Valentine gifts are a great way to show your love without breaking the bank. Occasions like Valentine’s Day are a retailer’s dream, designed to encourage consumers to spend lots of money on cards, flowers, meals out, and hotel stays.

However, for those of us without much money to spare these occasions can feel like another financial pressure.

For most of us, the thought behind a gift is more important than the gift itself. Spending lots of money with little consideration is unlikely to beat a present that creates beautiful memories, or hits the recipient in the chest because of the love and effort behind it.

Here are some ideas for frugal Valentine’s gifts and activities to help with the cost of loving.

Frugal Valentine gifts

Create a scrapbook of memories. Print out some photos from your social media accounts or phone.

Write witty captions or memorable moments next to each of them, like how your loved one looked, the food you shared, the friends or family with you, or funny things that happened.

Think about some of the much-loved books or toys your partner talks about from their childhood. Scour some online sites to see if you can find a similar vintage item to surprise them with.

Fill a decorated jar with little slips of paper suggesting fun frugal dates for the year ahead, like a picnic in the park, a trip to a historic building, a camping trip, etc (depending on both of your tastes). Try to do one each week.

Anything you have made yourself, from a crocheted scarf to a painting or a wooden bird feeder, will be appreciated for the love, time and effort that went into its creation.

Make some heart-shaped edible goodies. A silicon mould in the shape of a heart can be used for cakes, jellies and mousses, or invest in a Valentine’s cookie cutter and make some delicious biscuits.

Put together a small box containing your partner’s favourite chocolate, sweets and snacks and decorate it with love hearts.

Buy a bottle of prosecco and replace the label with a personalised Valentine’s message.

If you want to go down a more traditional route, flowers are always a good option. Aldi and Lidl sell bunches very reasonably, but rewrap them in coloured paper and a ribbon to make them look more fancy (or pick up a nice vase in the charity shop).

Have a balloon fest. I read about a man who filled the shower with balloons before he left for work. There was a note taped to the wall telling his partner to pop each one throughout the day to find a love note inside. He had clearly planned and prepared this well in advance and I thought it was so sweet and thoughtful!

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Frugal Valentine’s activities

Have a movie night at home. Good films to watch on Valentine’s Day include La La Land, Gone With the Wind, Valentine’s Day, Love Story, Pride and Prejudice or Notting Hill. Alternatively, not a movie, but if you missed the truly touching Gavin & Stacey Christmas special watch it on catch-up. Don’t forget drinks and popcorn.

Have a nice, three-course homemade meal by candlelight. If you aren’t into cooking, check out the various supermarket meal deals. You can easily buy a three-course meal with wine for less than £20.

Have a games night with supermarket wine and snacks.

Go for a picnic in the park or, if the weather is inclement, on your sitting room floor. Splash out on a few luxury ingredients like smoked salmon and fizz.

Make a pact to celebrate Valentine’s a day or two after, then see what bargains you can find at a discount!

Treat yourself and your partner to a fancy breakfast in bed. Think warm bagels, smoked salmon and soft cheese with buck’s fizz,  a full English breakfast, or French pastries with good coffee.

Spend the day together perusing some free museums in your town or city, or go for a hike.

Final thoughts

It’s worth a chat in advance to make sure you are on the same page regarding your frugal Valentine plans, particularly if you haven’t been together long. This saves any embarrassment if one of you goes to town on the romantic gestures and the other forgets it’s a thing! 

In the end, your presence is the best present. Giving time and attention to the person you love, and making them feel special and appreciated, is the most valuable gift you can give.

Photo credits: Pexels

The post Love on a Budget: Will you be my (Frugal) Valentine? appeared first on Mouthy Money.

The holiday season is over, and then before you know it – it’s Valentine’s Day. Surely you and your partner want to make this one extra special, but remember it doesn’t have to be at the cost of emptying your pockets.

There are plenty of affordable, cheap (or free!) Valentine’s Day options out there – besides the usual rings, roses and fancy dinners – to meet your partner’s love languages. Here are some ideas to help protect your wallet and take a step towards reaching your financial goals together.

Be one with nature

Get yourselves away from worldly distractions and take in the surroundings with a nearby hike or trekking together to a scenic viewpoint or favourite spot. Alternatively, you can follow a natural biking trail through the mountain woods.

If you’re looking for a quiet, serene evening, drive to a stargazing site nearby to enjoy a romantic stargazing date. If the weather permits, take your picnic basket to the park or beach with some homemade meals, wine, and games. You may also choose to have an indoor picnic or a BBQ in your back garden and end the night cosying up by a bonfire.

Spend Valentine’s Day at home

You can always make Valentine’s Day extra special at home when budgets are tight. Surprise them with an elaborate breakfast in bed or bake them their favourite cakes and cookies.

You can plan a romantic candlelit dinner where you cook for them or instead have a heart-shaped pizza-making or sushi-making night together. A cheese or chocolate fondue board could be the cherry on top!

Unwind with a movie marathon or karaoke session, or take a trip down memory lane unboxing your old love letters, photos, and wedding videos to look back at your beautiful journey shared together.

Personalise it

If gift-giving is your thing, personalise it. While it’s a more affordable option, the thought and effort truly add an extra special touch to your present.

You can curate a scrapbook documenting your best photos, ticket stubs from theme parks or movie dates, snippets of your love letters and texts, and promises you’re making for your future. Alternatively, make a Post-it notes jar and choose a popular theme such as ‘Open When’, or ‘365 Days’, or come up with your own!

Another personalised gift is a painted photo frame with your favourite photo together. You might do a smaller one for a bedside table or if you have advanced art skills, a larger themed one for an empty wall.

If your partner is a card game lover, you can create a deck flipbook to tell them 52 reasons you love them. Or, if they are a melophile, curate a playlist of their favourite artists’ music or your favourite songs together.

DIY activities

Are you a competitive, fun-loving couple? You can plan a scavenger hunt across all your spots in the city – from where you had your first kiss or first date to your favourite dessert joint.

If you don’t have a car or would like to stay indoors, you can plan one around your own house and have your S/O solve clues and puzzles to get to their gift. Similarly, a competitive games tournament, with board games, trivia, or indoor games will add an adrenaline rush.

If you’re feeling artsy, organise a canvas or wine glasses painting night, or make a date ideas bucket list jar together for the next time you want a fun idea.

But if you’d like to kick back and relax, arrange a DIY spa night with a hot bath, face masks, body oils and scented candles. Don’t forget, you’ll need all the equipment beforehand for these ones.

Step out of your house

A cheap Valentine’s Day need not be at home. Look out for the local activities you can go to in your town, or for any places with Valentine’s Day offers.

Choose to learn a new skill together by attending a pottery-making or tango dance class, or head to a museum or art gallery that’s been on your list for a while. Fitness freaks can do fun, partner workouts in the gym or park, or you can opt for local volunteering opportunities if you’re looking to give back to the community.

Another fun idea is a thrift store challenge. Decide a budget (say £10 or £15 each), enter a thrift store, and pick out the best (or funniest!) outfits and items for each other. Plus, there’s always the option of hitting your local bar for their trivia or karaoke night or attempting to beat the high score of your favourite game at the arcade.

Remember, you can spend a fun and love-filled Valentine’s Day without emptying your pockets. Instead, save the money and work together towards a healthy financial future.

Photo credits: Pexels

The post How to celebrate Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank appeared first on Mouthy Money.

Couples can spend Valentine’s Day at home and enjoy a tasty romantic dinner with an M&S Dine In for Two offer, saving up to £16.50.

What is the deal exactly?

Savvy shoppers can enjoy a starter, main, side, dessert and a bottle of wine or box of chocolates for just £10 each – a total of £20.

There are over 30 products in the offer, and customers can create over 200 different menus. The Valentines Dine In Deal includes:

• Leek & Cheese Soufflé Tarts to start – a butter enriched puff pastry filled with leek and creamy extra mature cheddar, and red Leicester, Pie Love You for the main
• Chicken in a creamy white wine sauce, encased in all butter pastry and topped with a pastry lid
• Banana sponge with a caramel blonde chocolate mousse and salted caramel sauce, with a wafer base and topped with a white chocolate heart. It’s called I’m Bananas for You –

Vegans also have plenty of choice – you can also enjoy Plant Kitchen Vegan Duck Croquettes, two Plant Kitchen Smokey Saffron Aubergine Steaks, Plant Kitchen Sweet Potato Fries, Plant Kitchen Love Heart Churros and a bottle of Conte Priuli Prosecco.

M&S Dine In for Two

The full menu can be seen here:

Starters:

• Leek & Cheese Soufflé Tarts
• Coquilles St Jacques
• OBE Prawn Cocktail
• Plant Kitchen Vegan Duck Croquettes (Ve)
• Oak Fired Melting Camembert
• Duck Parfait with Plum Glaze

Mains:

• Rump Steak with Peppercorn Sauce
• Sirloin Steaks with Heard Shaped Butter
• Rack of Lamb with mustard, honey & herb crust
• Pie Love You
• Chicken Parmigiana
• Duck Breasts with Plum Sauce
• Salmon & Prawn En Croute
• Plant Kitchen 2 Smokey Saffron Aubergine Steaks (Ve)

Sides:

• Extra Fine Asparagus (Ve)
• Green Vegetable Medley
• FritesSweet Potato Fries (Ve)Buttery Mashed PotatoOBE Mac and Cheese

The meal deal is running from Monday 9th February until Monday 14th February.

Why should I care?

It’s Valentine’s Day – every dinner and event must’ve been pre-booked in advance at least a month ago.

If you’re too late to book a special dinner with your loved one at a fancier restaurant, then a romantic dinner could be your key solution. This deal is also cheaper than a dinner in a fancy restaurant.

If you’re also wary of the Covid situation, and prefer socially distancing yourself from crowdy restaurants, then a Dine In option could be right for you.

What’s the catch?

You can only access this deal for a limited period only – between 9 February to 14 February. Plus, you also have to cook your own food.

What other options do I have?

Supermarket has launched a limited-edition menu for two for £15, a bit cheaper with more variety, but Tesco has launched a limited-edition menu for two for £15, a bit cheaper with more variety, but you need to be a Clubcard member.

Where can I find out more?

Find your nearest Marks & Spencer Food here.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

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