How to have a Special Valentines Day without Breaking the Bank.

Showing your affection for you partner is not about how much you spend on them. It's worth remembering diamonds and five star meals don't make your gesture more meaningful or thoughtful. Having the means to pay for expensive gifts and experiences does not relieve the giver from expressing love personally, nor does it relieve the recipient from returning such love personally.

If you're worried that you can't afford to give

your partner a Valentine's Day to remember, you need to realise the best thing that can come from a Valentines Day is your partner knowing that they are absolutely loved, cared about and wanted. You don't have to spend an extortionate amount of money to do this, it may be a cliché, but its the thought that counts.

Love is not about Consumption. With the marketing drive that now surrounds Valentines Day, it's easy for couples to get caught up in the retailers profit motivated ideas of romance. We should all know that love isn't about the goods you give, it's about what you give by the way of time, attention, and acknowledgement. None of these qualities can be purchased. Once you realise this and take it on board completely, you can still come up with inspiring valentines ideas for your partner, that don't cost the earth.

Minimise don't do without. One of the tricks to making the day cheaper is to still indulge in your traditional valentines days activities but reduce them. For example, instead of giving her a dozen red roses, give her one. Or, a small yet special bar of chocolate rather than a whole box of expensive ones. Rather than going out for an expensive meal, turn your hand to cooking your partners favourite dish and put some real effort into the presentation. It is possible to participate in the essence of the Valentine's Day without spending a small fortune.

Make it yourself. Homemade cards are always more meaningful than purchased ones. It says that you don't just care about what's written inside, but also "I took the time to make this because I care enough about you to give that time." Cards like this are likely to be kept and treasured for a lot longer than a shop bought card. For other gifts draw on your own skills, for example, if you're a keen gardener give them something form the garden, if you're a cook make them their favourite meal or if you're a music obsessive give them a mixtape of songs that mean something to you both. There are plenty of examples, so get creative!


Take Time. Time is the ultimate romantic gesture. If you're a workaholic who is usually busy all the time, it will mean a great deal if you choose to spend the whole day with your partner. Spend time together doing things that have nothing to do with work, raising a family or the household. Banish the mundane! Make sure your focus is on each other and you can thoroughly concentrate on yourselves for the day. If you have kids try to find a babysitter, however, if you can't involve the children in helping with the' day for the parents'.

A special night in. A night in together can not only be a better experience, it can be a way to beat the valentines crowds. With so many people having the same idea not only can it be expensive, it can be claustrophobic too! 

Make a meal in which shows the extra trouble you've gone too, it doesn't need to be expensive, just spend time making it more complicated than the usual daily meals. Check for special recipes online and put in that extra special effort. Watch a film you'll both love, get some snacks and relax.  

Rounding the night off. If you really want to round off the night (and you don't find it too cheesy), put on some warm clothes and go out to check out the night sky. Find somewhere on the outskirts of town and go stargaze, remember to bring blankets, snacks and something to drink to complete the experience.