With the cost of living squeezing household incomes, it’s essential to save money this year wherever you can.
If you usually like to spoil your partner on Valentine’s day, here are some ideas from the team at Quotegoat.com that won’t break the bank.
1) Create a video
Edit your favourite memories you’ve captured on your phone into a video and have a song that means a lot to you both as the backing track.
2) Bake together
Whether it’s bread or a cake, baking together can be lots of fun, and you’ll have something delicious to share afterwards.
3) Leave a trail of notes
Write all the reasons you love your partner on little scraps of paper, fold them up and leave a little trail in the house for your spouse to find.
4) Visit a free museum
Many museums in the UK don’t charge an admission fee. Walk around hand in hand and pack snacks and a flask of tea for afterwards.
5) Wear your wedding dress/suit
Find your wedding attire and wear it around the house. Cook a meal and get the wedding photos out for a trip down memory lane.
6) Finish off the DIY
Surprise your loved one by doing all the little jobs around the house that have needed doing forever, like mending that wobbly toilet roll holder.
7) Plan a romantic scavenger hunt
A scavenger hunt will require some time to plan but give clues like the coordinates for the place you met, your first dance song or what you ate on your first date.
8) Make your Valentine a card
A homemade Valentine’s card is more special and meaningful than a shop-bought one. Break out the glitter and get the kids involved.
9) Go on a bike ride together
Pack a picnic with your partner’s favourite food in a backpack and go for a bike ride. Plan the route to visit places that mean something to you both.
10) Make a love scrapbook
In a notebook, write down where you met, what made you fall in love, funny and favourite memories and include photos and tickets to gigs you’ve been to together.
11) Take on their share of the housework
If your other half usually walks the dog, takes the bins out or cooks dinner, surprise them by taking on all of their share of the household chores for a day.
12) Get photos of you together framed
With so many memories saved in our phones, we rarely think to have photographs printed these days. Select your favourites and get them framed.
13) Play board games by candlelight
Break out the scrabble and have some snacks laid out; however, board games might not be the best idea if you are very competitive.
14) Share a bubble bath with candles
Slide into a hot bubble bath, turn out the lights and relax together in candlelight. Just don’t fight about who gets the tap end.
15) Create a romantic den
Decorate one room in the house with balloons, candles, and love notes. Lead your partner to the room and get them to close their eyes before the big reveal.
16) Go to the beach
Pack a bucket and spade and write a romantic message in the sand. Wrap up warm and walk hand in hand along the shoreline.
17) Spa day at home
You don’t have to be a qualified masseuse to give a half-decent back or head massage. Put some relaxing music on and light a scented candle.
18) Visit meaningful places
Suggest visiting places packed full of happy memories like the place you got engaged, where you got married, or where you first met.
19) Breakfast in bed
It’s an oldie but a goodie, but breakfast in bed is an indulgent treat and the perfect time to produce your homemade Valentine’s card.
20) Text a love letter
If you’re not able to be together on the day, let your partner know you’re thinking about them by texting a long love letter, or better still, send them one in the post.
Personal finance expert of money-saving website, Quotegoat.com, Michael Foote, said;
“There are plenty of ways to spoil your partner on Valentine’s day without having to spend lots of money – you just need to get creative. Anyone can throw money at the situation, but it’s more meaningful if you’ve spent lots of time thinking about what to do and personalising the day for your loved one.
“If you usually spend lots on one another on Valentine’s day, give your partner a heads up that you’d like to do things differently this year. It’s always best to be honest about your financial situation – just because you can’t afford to spend lots of money doesn’t mean you love them any less”.