According to the National Retail Federation, www.nrf.com, Americans will spend $17.6 billion on Valentine’s Day this year. This is equivalent to about $126 per person who’s celebrating the holiday, and makes Valentine’s Day the second biggest gift giving holiday. Men spend on average $169, which is almost twice as much as what women will spend.
The top gifts tend to be traditional Valentine’s Day gifts like cards, evening out, chocolate, flowers, lingerie, massages, perfume, clothing, jewelry, stuffed animals, colognes, health and fitness related items and electronics. Yet, if you’re like me and constantly searching for creative ideas that are memorable, then there are other less materialistic options. Or, if you’re a Valentine’s Day “Scrooge” and think that Valentine’s Day is a commercial holiday meant to rob people of their money, there are options for you, too, to make someone you love very happy without spending a lot of money. After all, everyone wants to feel loved and pampered once in a while.
Some ideas on giving the Valentine’s Gift to remember without costing an arm and a leg:
1. Homemade dinner and a movie. My husband took me out for Valentine’s Day our first year together to a very expensive and popular restaurant, then to a Broadway show. Our dinner without wine cost over $400, was three hours long, consisting mostly of waiting and noise because the restaurant was so crowded and we were about a foot away from the next table. I was impressed that he would put thought into the holiday and he chose an excellent Broadway show. The drawback is that dinner was inflated for Valentine’s Day and we were running late to the show. As much as I love going out, I’d prefer he make me dinner and we cuddle at home in front of the tv, then, go out and try the restaurant on a normal day.
2. Some personal alone time away from kids. Anyone with kids will tell you that some days, you just want to be away from the kids. So, if you’re not free to spend time with your significant other, (it better be due to something important), then hire a babysitter and let your loved one go out with friends or spend time as they please. Make this the day off to do nothing – no kids, no chores, just pure entertainment and relaxation.
3. Surprising a long distance relationship ahead of schedule. Nothing brings a bigger smile than seeing someone you love when you least expect it. A warm and welcoming hug goes a long way.
4. Personal massage or pampering. Sure, it’s easy to buy a massage, spa or salon package, but it’s more fun to have your significant other give you a massage, just the way you like it. One thing leads to another and that massage can get really good and go places you never imagine.
5. A personalized card or message telling him/her why you love them or what they mean to you. Once in a while I’d pick up an old card my husband gave me just to read the sweet messages he wrote inside. It always brings a big smile to my face. So, don’t forget the card, and please write something thoughtful and personal.
6. Anything personally made will do the trick – a knitted scarf, an artwork, a photo frame or picture. My husband and I seemed to be very busy people. Busy with work. Busy with kids. Busy with chores. Busy with activities, parties and events. To know that he gave me an artwork that he made especially for me would mean quite a lot, considering how little time he has. The art is great, and the thought that he took time out of his busy schedule to do something special for me is even better.
Ask your significant other next year what their favorite and most cherished Valentine’s Day gift is and if one of those items don’t appear on the list, then, add it on, and continue searching for the fun, less commercialized and enjoyable gift that will make him smile for years to come.
