Love is in the air and Valentine’s here! Are you looking to have a romantic evening without breaking the bank?
14th February is fast approaching and you know what that means. It’s a time for good food, flowers, and most importantly a good night out with your partner. It is the reaffirmation of the love between both of you.
However, Valentine’s has grown notoriously expensive for many of you. Considering that many of you are still struggling to cope with the high cost of living, it is important to plan your finances properly when it comes to this. Find out how you can save some money for Valentine’s with the tips below!
Contents
#1: Cook for Your Partner
The way to your partner’s heart is through their stomach. Rather than spending hundreds of ringgit on expensive valentine’s dinner sets in a fancy restaurant, consider getting down and dirty in the kitchen and cook for you and your partner.
Your partner will surely appreciate the effort you are taking to make the occasion as special as possible. Better yet, you can ask your partner whether they want to cook together. This is an excellent way to strengthen your relationship through taking the time to learn and do things together such as brainstorming what ingredients to get, getting groceries together, and cooking together.
If this is the first time you are cooking for your partner, don’t overcomplicate things and stress yourself and him or her out. Pick something simple such as baked chicken or fish, where you just need to marinate them beforehand. However, if you are feeling adventurous, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new with your partner and treat it as an adventure both of you are embarking on.
#2: Have a Romantic Picnic … And Bring Some Candles
Roll up that mat you have tucked in the corner. Put it at the back of the car. Stock up on some scented candles. Get to the wheel and drive off with your partner to a public yet secluded spot. Just like in the movies.
Lay the mat down with some takeaway or home-cooked food. Light the candles and put on some insect repellent. The warm sun lightly touches your’s and your partner’s face as both of you bask in it or feel the cool sea breeze blow towards your hair.
Having a romantic picnic is a great substitute to dining out during Valentine’s. You can do #1 first and then go off to your own spot to enjoy with your partner. It will be even better if you have wine or some desserts to go with it.
#3: Have Valentines Before or After the Official Day
Most restaurants will charge a higher price on Valentine’s day as the demand is certainly higher than the supply. With limited tables, restaurants would want to maximise their profits as people are willing to pay the higher price.
You will also be shoulder to shoulder with another couple to your left, right, front, and back as restaurants put out more tables to maximise the usage of space. You don’t need to celebrate Valentine’s on the official date. You can choose another date where it’s less packed and the food is cheaper.
Communicate and discuss with your partner and lay out the pros and cons of celebrating Valentine on the official day or another day. Emphasise the cost of such a dinner, and how both of you will be competing with other couples for space in the restaurant.
#4: Make/Handcraft Something Meaningful
Thinking of buying that new handbag for her? Or that new wallet for him? You can consider doing it yourself and making something for your partner. After all, it is way cheaper to buy the raw materials than the finished product. Your partner would surely appreciate the effort that you are taking to make something for him or her.
Better yet, you can make that item together with your spouse. For men, you can consider making the following items for your lady
- Earrings
- Soap
- Necklace
- Pouch
- Lip gloss
For women, you consider making the following items for your man
- Handkerchief
- Necktie
- DIY Shaving Cream
- Journal
- Wallet
#5: Buy a Plant rather than a Bouquet of Flowers
Rather than the typical bouquet of flowers, look instead to buy a pot of plant. This is unconventional as flowers have always been the mainstay for every Valentine’s Day but gifting a pot of plants could elevate the meaning of flowers even further.
Taking care of the pot of plant together would mean that both of you are taking shared responsibility for something and it’s not just a one-sided affair where one person gift to the other a bouquet of flowers. You can watch it grow with your partner and through it, both of you can grow together.
If you and your partner are beginners to the planting business, pick the simple and safe ones first like
- Sunflowers
- Marigolds
- Begonia
- Daffodils
#6: Buy Flowers from Wholesalers
If you are still buying flowers for your partner, opt to buy them beforehand from a wholesaler first. They are normally cheaper as they sell in bulk compared to florists. The advantage florists have is that they will arrange a nice set of flowers for Valentine’s.
However, if you are running tight on cash, you can curate your own set of flowers from the wholesaler taking into account your partner’s preferences. Plan ahead and do your research first. You need to know how long will the flowers last and make your choices first beforehand. Take some time at the wholesaler in matching the different flowers together.
Once you have done that, prepare some vases with water to preserve the flowers for longer when you buy them. Finally, surprise your partner with the flowers you have chosen.
Conclusion
Valentine’s could still be romantic without spending a bomb on it. Consider saving some money through the tips above if you have other financial commitments in life.
Let us know in the comments below how you are celebrating Valentine’s
Leave A Comment