Celebrate Valentine’s Day on a Budget

Valentine’s Day on a Budget is the only way to fly these days, especially when you’ve got a family to provide for. Whether you include the kids in your celebration or plan for a special date just the two of you, you can celebrate your life and love together on a budget!

Contrary to what Hallmark and the StuffMart displays tell you, you don’t have to spend a lot of money for Valentine’s Day. In fact, a cheap valentine day can be just as special or even better for your loved ones if you put in the effort and spend time together in ways that matter.

Preplanning will help avoid high costs later and allow you the luxury of treating someone to a special treat or experience. A frugal valentine isn’t necessarily cheap. It just didn’t cost more than you can afford to pay.

Let’s make Valentine’s affordable again!

Affordable Valentine’s Day Ideas

Try one of these family-friendly, frugal valentine suggestions:

Have a day date.

Bryan and I regularly take a day off work for a day date, or vacay day as we call it. It’s one of those budget-friendly date ideas that works well with kids, because child care is often easier to find.

You don’t have to make it a big to-do; a morning hike or an afternoon in the coffee shop can be quite refreshing for both of you. Pretend you’re a tourist in your own town and do what sounds fun!

You can do this just the parents, or include your kids in the day date, making it a fun family outing together. Bonus points if you can swing a veritable staycation.

Make a DIY coupon book.

Coupon books are fun to make and fun to give! You can customize them to suit the gift recipient as well as your budget. You can even spread out their redemption period over several weeks or months so that you have time to save or budget for the activities or gifts of service.

Both kids and adults will enjoy receiving a homemade coupon book. Consider some of the following budget ideas for fun Valentine’s Day coupons:

• a donut run – you may find better prices at the grocery store bakery counter
• a trip to the ice cream shop or better yet, a free choice of a whole carton at the grocery store (hint: better pricing there, too)
• a free choice of any fruit in the produce department – kids will surprise you at how much they love this option
• a foot massage or back rub
• a free night off chores

Take a walk down memory lane.

Reliving sweet memories with your spouse or kids can be a wonderful way to spend an evening. Bring out the photo albums, show some home movies, share stories and memories of years gone past. 

If yours is a special love story (which ones aren’t?) make sure you share it with your children! Better yet, write it down. If you live where you met, dated, or married, take a drive by some of your old haunts and relive the sweet memories of the past.

Kids don’t always have the same long memories to draw from, but you can still reminisce together. This may involve reading old favorite picture books or cueing up videos they liked to watch when they were very little.

Cook a special dinner at home.

Restaurants often charge more on Valentine’s Day, so play it smart. Instead, I cook the same meal I prepared on our first date. It’s a fun way to model a little romance with our kids and still enjoy a delicious dinner together.

If your first date was at McDonald’s, you can do that, too! Or there are lots of romantic dinner ideas to cook at home.

Celebrate before or after the 14th.

What difference does a day — or a week — make? Sometimes several dollar signs. Did you know that florists and restaurants often post different prices for Valentine’s Day?

You can save by celebrating on a different day. For years we’ve gone out the day before or after Valentine’s Day to avoid the crowds and the expense.

Watch the clearance during the week after Valentine’s Day. Much of the treats and decor will still be good next February.

Treat your kids to a sweet treat.

How about afternoon tea with the kids? It won’t cost much but it will be super fun! 

Dip oreos into chocolate or bake heart-shaped scones – just something special to show them that they are dear to your heart.

Bake together.

My book, In the Kitchen With Kids is a great guide to help you get cooking with your children in ways that are fun, seasonal, and don’t drive you crazy. 

Grab a copy now and dig into the special Valentine’s menu.

Have an at-home movie night.

A trip to the theatre can be fun, but it’s not always budget friendly. Instead crack open an old school DVD – you can check them out for free from the library and avoid the commercials that streaming services have added back in.

And believe it or not, there are chick-flicks that guys will like! My husband will actually get in a heated debate with you if you prefer the Colin Firth Pride & Prejudice over the Keira Knightley version.

Transform the living room into a mini theater by hooking up better speakers to the TV if you haven’t already and be sure to put loads of butter on the popcorn.

Getting your movie at the library (and returning it in a timely manner) or via a free app, such as Amazon Prime or Hulu ensures an almost free at-home date night.

Do a craft together.

We’ve enjoyed a number of family crafts over the years, even with kids in college! Consider painting tea tins or decorating wooden bird houses for cheap family fun.

Check out our list of Practically Free Family Night Ideas to Try with Your Kids.

No matter what you choose, there are plenty of fun things to do to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a budget. It doesn’t need to be extravagant or expensive. The people we love just want to be with us.

More Frugal Valentine Ideas

This post was originally published on February 4, 2010. It has been updated for content and clarity.