Romantic Valentine's Day on a Budget

Oh my and a big "Ouch!" from your wallet! Does the thought of an impending Valentine's Day fill you with apprehension instead of romance? If so, you're not alone. With marketing what it is today, it's hard not to be convinced that your date will only be satisfied with 2 dozen long stemmed roses held by a teddy bear wearing a pretty new piece of jewelry. And if you're like most of us, your budget just might not allow for 4-star splurging. So should you throw in the towel and skip the holiday all together? No way! Check out the tips below for some budget conscious ideas for the best Valentine's Day yet!

Instead, make a reservation at home. There are many options with this kind of dinner. You could surprise your Valentine with a delicious dinner that you plan and cook yourself. The two of you could plan out a meal and enjoy some bonding time while preparing it together. OR you could simply get some take out! Spread out a blanket on the living room floor, light some candles, put on some background music, pour some wine, and even hoagies with potato chips can be romantic! Not only is this about 1/10 the price of an expensive restaurant, but it is also incredibly more romantic and intimate. After dinner heat up some chocolate and take turns feeding each other chocolate dipped strawberries and other goodies.

Some florists more than double their prices on Valentine's Day, because, well, they can! Don't drop $100 or more having flowers delivered. Instead, stop by the store yourself (many grocery stores offer beautiful long stem roses near Valentine's Day for about $20/dozen) and deliver them in person. Now not only is your Valentine still getting roses, but she can enjoy a surprise visit from you as well!

A day of pampering at the spa can make an exciting gift. It can also do a number on your bank account. Instead, why not go the do-it-yourself route? Just like the romantic dinner at home, you can also create a spa-esque experience. Light some candles and provide a relaxing massage (oil can be purchased for as little as $1 for baby oil). Pamper your Valentine's tired feet with a foot rub. If you really want to go the extra mile, try this recipe for a homemade foot scrub (from www.digsmagazine.com):

Cocoa Valentine's Foot Bath

Scrub mixture: 1 cup olive oil 1½ cups white sugar

Soak: 1 Tbsp. of cocoa powder 1 cup milk ½ cup mint leaves, chopped 1 Tbsp. baby oil 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in soak and mix until incorporated. Add to slightly hotter-than-warm water. There should be enough water in your foot basin to cover your ankles when your feet are in. Sit and soak for at least 10 minutes.

A fun gift bag that reflects how well you know your Valentine! One year I gave my husband a bag with all sorts of goodies... a car magazine, an assortment of his favorite candy bars, his favorite chewing gum, and a Sudoku book. He loved it! He was so excited to find so many of his favorites in one gift. It also eliminated the fight over who got the yucky peach filled mystery chocolate in the heart shaped box. :)

Check out this website: Can't Buy Me Love for some more great budget-friendly ideas! This site even has a list of romantic movies to watch together.

In closing, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the holiday with your sweetheart!