Valentine’s Day On A Budget

Valentine’s Day is another day, or so it seems, to get caught up in showing our love and appreciation through the bestowing of expensive gifts. This can be rather disheartening if you are operating on a budget and yet don’t want to disappoint the expectations of your special someone.

Here at Kurama Magazine, we have ten gift ideas that are sure to make your loved one feel special yet save you from financial ruin:

1. Gift Card. These are extremely sentimental and can convey love, appreciation and desire. You can purchase one at any store that matches your love and the sentiment that you feel. To add a special touch you may want to make the card yourself from scratch. He or she is sure to appreciate the time you took to express your love for him/her in this special way. You could capitalise on technology and send an e-card which may allow you to be more creative or colourful, using flash for example.

2. Wrap a small box in gift paper like you would a regular gift. Inside place the names of special treats on twelve strips of paper; these treats can range from a massage to a movie. These would be a dedicated Valentine treat for one day of each month until the next year. So your loved one can “cash” in one of these coupons every month to get the treat for the month.

3. Write a love letter or poem to your boy/girlfriend. This would say exactly how you feel for him/her now and what you see for the future. You can get it laminated or framed. This is an extremely romantic gift.

4. Have a picnic and spend the day and/or evening with your love. You can have the picnic at the beach at sunset, which is quite romantic or you can have a daytime picnic. You could make a selection of you and your significant other's favourite foods or have a simple basket and make the focus about you two spending time together.

5. You can specially decorate useful yet cheap gifts. If you notice that he needs a holder for his keys by the door or she needs a chest for her jewellery, you can craft or decorate a holder or box for your loved one.

6. Create a photo album or collage scrapbook of your memories together. This can also be done using the computer. This is a great reminder to both of you how you have evolved during your relationship.

7. Create a mixed CD or download special songs on his or her iPod that mean something to both of you individually and as a couple.

8. Your time is the most precious gift that you can dedicate to anyone. Dedicate some time in your day for that person so that you can be alone whether it is a walk on the beach or a drive through the countryside.

9. Box of Valentine’s goodies. You can get a small box from the hardware store or supermarket and fill it with Valentine’s associated goodies. Place a small box of chocolate, a stuffed animal and a picture of the two of you in a frame. None of these items need to be expensive.

10. Have a home movie night. You could rent a movie or two and pop some corn and the two of you can celebrate your love with a quiet evening in each other’s company.

Be sure that Valentine’s Day is not the only day that you show your love for you special one. Any of these ideas can be adapted to suit other times in the year. Have a safe and loving Valentine’s Day.