Valentine’s Day on a Budget- Stick to the Two S’s: Sentimental and Self-Made

    Valentine's Day doesn’t have to be an expensive day. I’ve found that sticking to the two S’s helps keep the romantic spirit of the holiday without burning a hole in my pocket. Let’s start with Sentimental. It’s not always about the gift that you give, but sometimes about the emotional value that’s placed behind it. Sometimes simple things can provide a truer representation of the emotional and intellectual bond that two people share. Each relationship is attached in a unique way, and those unique connections can be the focal points for your Valentine’s Day gift; maybe something that reminds you of a memory you two have together, maybe something about a dream you hope to make reality someday or maybe an inside joke that only you share together.  Now I’m not saying my girlfriend wouldn’t love a pair of diamond earrings or a shopping spree at the Coach store, but let’s face it, money doesn’t grow on trees and I think that a little effort can sometimes lead you to deeper emotional crevices within a relationship. Use your imagination; anything that you think will touch on these personal connections can work itself into being a great Valentine’s Day gift.
       Stemming from sentimentality comes self-made. Anything self-made demonstrates a unique effort, something that comes from you and you alone. Whether it’s a nice self-made dinner or a self-made card, both are easy on the wallet and generate a connective stream of intimacy and effort.  If you can combine sentimental and self-made then that’s great too! Let’s take dinner for example. Maybe you can remake the dinner from your first date. Maybe you and your significant other have talked about how you want to go to France someday; you could try to find a recipe online and cook up some French cuisine. Just remember, a lack of money doesn’t have to translate to a lack of effort. If your budget is tight then try touching on the two S’s and see what you can muster up.  Have a great budget friendly Valentine’s Day!