With the economy and life being what it is, many folks are feeling a bit strapped for cash on Valentines day this year.
And let’s face it, Valentines day is sort of a second tier holiday. Yes, it is important, and I personally love it, but it isn’t up there with Birthdays and Christmas for most of us. If cash is tight and a holiday is going to get stiffed, Valentines Day is a good candidate for getting the shaft!
If you do the full fledged “typical” romantic dinner out with chocolates and a card, a guy and gal could very quickly run themselves up over $100. More if you add a babysitter in! (not to the dinner, to watch the kiddos while you go out to dinner)
So what to do?
I gave a bunch of great ideas last week on Frugal & Fun Valentines Printables & Crafts, and of course that is all good. But what about the night itself?
Why not make the evening special right there at home? You could cook a special dinner, perhaps waiting to eat it until after the kiddos are in bed if you have children.
Even if the kitchen is a mess, you can clear off the table and set it with something nice, turn down the lights and eat by candlelight–all the mess will be in the shadows and you can enjoy the very flattering & romantic glow of candlelight. Ditto holds true for the bedroom. Shuffle the mess out of sight, make up and turn down the bed, and throw a few candles around (figuratively, not literally)*. Just try to make the everyday a bit more romantic.
After dinner, move into the living room and enjoy a romantic movie together. This only has to cost you a few dollars at your local video rental place, or if you are lucky-FREE from you local library! Some movies are available on Hulu.com, so check there as well.
I asked my friends on Twitter yesterday to give me some of the best romantic movie suggestions. . . Maybe there is an old favorite you’ve forgotten, or a new one for you to try!
When Harry Met Sally
Casablanca
Sabrina
Green Card
Somewhere in Time
The Notebook
Laws of Attraction
Kate & Leopold
City of Angels
Say Anything
Wicker Park
Seredipity
Pretty Woman
Shakespeare in Love
Notting Hill
My Best Friend’s Wedding
How to lose a guy on 10 days
You’ve got mail
In the Mood for Love
Benny & June
Frankie & Johnny
The Ghost & Mrs. Muir
Ghost
Walk in the clouds
An affair to remember
Never been kissed
Room with a View
Shadowlands
Thornbirds (mini series)
For more great ideas on celebrating Valentines Day, listen to the latest episode of the Frugal Coast2Coast Radio show: Keep Love in the Air & Money in Your Pocket.
*Note: Always, always be extra careful with candles in the bedroom. Make sure they are all extinguished before falling asleep. Also they should either be in a candleholder or placed on something non flammable or meltable for safety, like a ceramic plate etc.
Money Heart Photo by Thomas Hawke
Casablanca Photo by Late Night Movie
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Those are all great ideas! Thanks.
Well said, Jenn! And BTW you totally scooped me. I scheduled a post for tomorrow on this same topic, though more food-centered. “Valentine’s Day at Home: How to Have a Romantic Dinner and Not Make Yourself Crazy” will post tomorrow morning! (I didn’t see your post before I wrote it, I swear!)
Great minds think alike.
Not only should the candles be on a something non flammable, they should also not be on a nightstand where hair or clothing could accidentally come in contact.
Not that I have any embarrassing stories or close calls from practical experience. Nope. Not me. ::whistles innocently and fades back into the ether::
Lynn-glad to help!
Amanda-shoot, I didn’t mean to scoop ya!
Heather-of course not you!