My Frugal Valentine's Day: Cheap Ways to Say "I Love You"

I don't like Valentine's Day: It promotes the idea that romance is something for special occasions. Worse still, it's another commercial holiday filled with cards, chocolates, flowers, and gifts. I reject the idea that romance is only for special occasions and I reject the idea that buying things somehow shows affection. I believe it is important for couples to find ways to express their love all year round. If you choose to celebrate Valentine's Day, don't feel obligated to give away a dozen roses and a card - there are many low-cost ways to say "I love you". Here are just a few:

Love letters: Instead of a note, write your partner a love letter. A mass-produced card is not as romantic as a handwritten note. I don't remember any of the letters my wife gave me for Valentine's Day, but I do fondly remember all the notes and letters I received. It's a pleasure to flip through old cards and come across a note they wrote to me years ago. Flowers: it can be fun to give flowers to your sweetheart, but think outside the box. Consider something other than roses. If your partner likes carnations, buy her carnations. If he likes irises, give him irises. Don't be a slave to the red rose mentality. In some cases, a live plant may be the most appropriate. I bet Mina would be happier with potted gerberas than with a bouquet of roses. Love vouchers: use a word processor and clip art to create 8-12 "coupons" the size of a business card. Each coupon can be redeemed for something the recipient will appreciate. You could create love vouchers that your partner can use for a night on the town, a candlelit dinner, a movie of their choice, a weekend, guilt-free time with friends, or if you're feeling particularly romantic. , fantasy realization. A second "first date": the easy familiarity of a long-term relationship is a wonderful thing. But that familiarity can easily become a "routine". You shake things up by pretending to go on your first date again. Allow yourself a college student's budget and do the kinds of things you could have done when you were younger. Eat at the local hamburger or pizzeria. Go bowling or roller skating. Attend a free concert. Take a walk in the back row of the cinema. Dinner for two: prepare a romantic dinner at home. Instead of spending 50 or 100 euros for a night on the town, spend 25 euros to prepare a special dinner with your significant other. Not only will you save money, but you will also share the joy of cooking together. Private rituals: each couple has a collection of private rituals and symbols. These silly phrases and routines are like glue to a relationship. Before I got married I remember I took a very nice print and made it on a sofa cushion. It only cost me 12 euros and was my wife's favorite gift as opposed to expensive and valuable ones. So when I made a simple wall print with I LOVE YOU in all the languages ​​of the world. From that day on, I make special prints as a reference for nice gifts. "This is a nugget of love".

Saying "I love you" doesn't have to be expensive, regardless of what marketers want you to believe. Love comes from communication, from shared ideals and from union, not from buying things.