Valentine's Day on A Budget

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Some believe it is a "Greeting Card" holiday, created to elicit the spending of huge amounts of money. For others it is day to show those in your life that you love them. I love the idea of love and of showing those that I love, that I love them! I also believe you can do that by spending little or no money! I am always looking for list of creative gifts so I thought I would share a list of my favorite 5!

1. A Playlist: Remember the "mixed tapes" that we used to make for our friends and girlfriends/boyfriends back in middle and high school? This is the modern day version! It is free if you have a streaming service (iTunes, amazon music, spotify, etc.) that you share with your significant other, and although it will take much less time and effort then the hours we spent recording from the radio or other cassette tapes, it is the thought that makes it special! Fill the playlist with special songs that you have shared or love songs! I promise it will be a hit!

2. A Home Cooked Meal (complete with clean up): If you are the primary chef in your house, there is nothing better then a meal that you didn't plan, shop for, prep, cook, serve and clean up. Consider a special meal that was served in the past. (Maybe something from your first date, or wedding menu).

3. A Handmade Card: Remember when you were little and you made cards for everyone for every event? Taking the time to put your feelings in to your own words is priceless. Hearing how someone feels about you from their own pen (as opposed to words from a professional/store bought card) reminds us why we fell in love in the first place.

4. A Completed Honey-Do List: Is there a list of chores floating around your house that just seems to never get done? What could be better then finishing those projects up (without a reminder) with a smile? Trust me, these things will be more appreciated then you know!

5. Time: What is one thing that we all wish we had more of? Time. Give the gift of time. It is up to you how you chose to do this. Every relationship and situation is different. This might mean spending quality time together, or watching the kids to allow for self care time, or cleaning or helping with a task to free up time.

I would love to hear what ideas you have for Valentine's Day!