Valentine’s on a Budget

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. It always sneaks up on me and comes so fast after Christmas.  Why is that?  It’s the same time every year, but it just comes so fast.

My family doesn’t go all out for this holiday, but we do acknowledge it and do a little something special for each other. It’s not that we don’t have the money to spend to hire a babysitter and go to a 5 star restaurant,  but we love doing things as a family, showing extra love and kisses to each other, and making sure everyone knows they are appreciated as part of the family. I thought I would share how we keep our Valentine’s on a budget.

We make sure to show love and thankfulness everyday, but it’s just fun to do a little extra something on Valentine’s.  Here are a few things to do that will keep you from breaking the bank and enjoying the holiday as a family.

1. Leave a little trinket and a favorite piece of chocolate for the kids when they wake up.  We have a spot in our house where all the special gifts go (from Santa, the Easter Bunny, on birthdays, from the Leprechaun, and for Valentine’s Day).  The total for each person is under $5.  Trinkets come from the dollar store or the dollar bin at Target.  The kids don’t care, they just love getting something special! Use these Love Printables to make it extra cute and special.

2. Buy red or heart napkins for the kids’ (and hubby’s) lunch boxes the week of Valentine’s Day.  I buy mine the previous year when they go on clearance, but the dollar store usually has some great finds too.

3. Acts of service! My hubby loves acts of service (yes, I’m talking Love Language here).  So, I try to get to something that I know he will appreciate. Usually this involves ironing his clothes or making sure the house is super-duper clean.  He appreciates the extra effort I make to show him how much I love him.  I never iron clothes (I hate it), so it really is a nice “gift for him”.  Figure out your spouse’s love language and do something EXTRA to show how much you care.

4. Make the kids an early dinner and have them go to bed a little early.  You will love the extra alone time with your sweetie.

5. Order take-out from your favorite place and rent a movie.  Enjoy your time alone together and reconnect (afterall, the kids already had supper and are in bed).  No need to hire a sitter, just delay your “date” for when they are in bed.

6. Celebrate on a different day.  If you really want the time away from the kids.  Go out the day before or the day after Valentine’s Day.  Restaurants will be less busy and you won’t be forced to buy a meal at $50-$100 each because it’s special menu for the night.