In case you hadn't noticed (and if you haven't, this may save your bacon!), Valentine's Day is less than a fortnight away and we all know what that means; spending a fortune. But wait, stop! It doesn't have to be this way! To help you avoid wrestling over the last bouquet of exorbitantly priced wilting roses, here are some money saving tipsfor showing your other half that love is simply priceless!
Flowers
Flowers are usually a safe option and most people love getting a bouquet of fragrant blooms (unless they have severe hay fever!). Valentine's Day is one of the busiest times in a florist's calendar and as a result they (and their suppliers) hitch the prices right up. You'll usually find you're hit hardest if you go for the traditional dozen of red roses, so why not try something a little different; a potted plant or some pretty gerbera daisies can make a great gift. Another idea, a hand picked bouquet made from a selection of flowers you know he/she loves can be much more thoughtful and kinder on your pocket. Pick up a couple of cheaper bouquets from somewhere like Tesco and make your own bouquet, buy a metre or two of cellophane gift film from a florists to wrap them in, tie with some pretty ribbon and voila; instant brownie points! If this sounds too much like hard work and you don't want to stray from the tradition of a dozen red roses delivered straight to their door, Asda Flowershave got a blooming marvellous offer. They are offering the classic Valentine's bouquet of 12 red roses with a free box of chocolates delivered on or before 13 February for £19, a bargain to keep both your other half and your bank manager happy.
Food
We all know the score, your favourite little atmospheric Italian restaurant is just great on any normal Sunday night when there's just the two of you huddled into 'your' corner taking advantage of the early bird menu. But 14 February will be no ordinary Sunday. Expect to see prices tripled, extra tables squeezed in, and waitresses sulking because they're working on Valentine's Day instead of being out with their sweetheart. So wait for the good news… eating in is the new eating out! Why not cook a Valentines' themed menu with heart shaped food right at home for you and your loved one? Try cutting out heart shaped toast to go with a nice soup to start and serve something like passion fruit sorbet as a dessert. Don't forget to scour the cheaper supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl or use value brands to make sure staying in doesn't cost you more than going out. If you're not the greatest cook stick to something simple, Gordon Ramsey-esque shouts floating from the kitchen isn't a great way to set the mood. Presentation is key here so think about first impressions. Lay a tablecloth, scatter some glitter love heart confetti, light some candles, and put on some romantic music. You could even burn a CD with your other half's favourite songs; this is another great idea for a cheap gift and very personable! If you had your heart set on going out for a meal, why not go the night before Valentine's Day? You could use some of the great restaurant vouchers on this website and save a fortune.
Romantic getaway
If you both have your heart set on a romantic jaunt, then Hotels.comhas some great deals on Valentine's Day breaks. From smooching in St. Albans, to puckering up in Paris—there is something for pretty much every budget and taste.
Something a bit different
If the idea of flowers and chocolates doesn't appeal to you or your budget, try something special for your special one. Why not put up heart shaped sticky notes around the house with reasons why you love them, write them a poem, or run them a long hot bath with candles and a glass of wine. At the end of the day your Valentine loves you for you, not because of the money you spent on them! Doing something to make them feel special doesn't have to cost you a fortune. Remember, it's the thought that counts! Don't forget you can save money on almost anything by checking Shopping Vouchers first.
