Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day 2011 Without Breaking the Bank

After the spendfest of the holidays followed by your mindboggling New Year's Eve bar tab, you're probably looking to cut back on your expenses big time. And after all that spending, what should be looming around the corner but Valentine's Day? While the idea of having a day dedicated to your significant other is great in theory, it also means that you'll be expected to do something special. And "something special" in our consumer-driven society equates to shelling out some big bucks. The good news is, however, that it doesn't absolutely have to be that way.

Here are a few tips and ideas for keeping your Valentine's Day budget-friendly.

1. Opt for experiences instead of things.
   
   At this time of the year, pretty much everyone is sick of gifts. While giving and receiving gifts is a wonderful practice in its own way, most of the time, we forget gifts after a few months. So instead of buying something like expensive jewelry, consider going for an experience instead. The more creative it is, the better and more unforgettable it'll be. Cancel those fancy dinner reservations and go for spur of the moment trip to a your closest park for a romantic picnic.


2. Make something instead of buying something.
   
   Buying a gift shows that you put in some effort, but making a gift demonstrates you truly care. Think about what precisely your sweetie would appreciate, and make something really personal. For example, collect a bunch of photographs of you together and assemble a photo album or scrapbook. If you have some culinary skills, consider baking something or cooking a lavish dinner.


3. Celebrate Valentine's Day the day after.
   
   If you do decide to go out for dinner or buy traditional gifts like chocolates or flowers, consider agreeing with your partner to celebrate the day or weekend after Valentine's day. This way, reservations will be easier to come by, prices will be substantially lower, and candies and flowers will be significantly discounted.


4. Instead of a pricey certificate to the spa, create a spa at home.
   
   Certificates to spas are very popular Valentine's day gift options. But instead of having someone else give your partner a massage, why not give it yourself? Buy some candles, enjoy a hot bath together, and spend several hours relaxing as you would at any spa for a fraction of the price.


5. Break up with your partner before Valentine's Day.
   
   If your relationship isn't really going as planned, consider the advantages of ending things now. It's a full month before V-Day, so your broken-hearted one won't be moping around about being dumped at such a terrible time. Sure, you'll be single, but at least you'll be saving some serious cash. Just joking. Sort of.

These are just a few basic ideas for making your Valentine's Day an affordable and enjoyable one. A V-Day without all the expenses isn't cheap; on the contrary, it has the potential to be more personal, and therefore more meaningful, than ever.

Raine Parker, a freelance writer, regularly writes for accounting degree. She loves to write on finance, money saving, frugality, business and she welcomes your comments below.