Don’t Break The Bank, Or Hearts On Valentine’s Day

It’s coming! Valentine’s Day is only a few days away. Have you decided what you may be getting for your significant other yet? Don’t worry if you haven’t – you’re not alone. Valentine’s Day can sneak up on you when you least expect it – and when you can least afford it.The Holiday bills, if you are lucky, have just been mailed, leaving the money jar empty. However, unless you have an agreement in place with your mate regarding not spending money or a spending limit, someone might be disappointed with the outcome. Valentine’s Day gifts can be budgeted with some careful planning.

Don’t Buy Flowers. Although there are advertisements and so-called “deals” everywhere, you will not get the best price on flowers around certain holidays, and Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays. There is a neighborhood flower shop near me that posts their prices and sales on an outside marquis. I’ve been watching the price fluctuations for years, and it never fails that during Valentine’s Day and other appropriate holidays, the prices on flowers increases dramatically. If you decide to buy flowers for Valentine’s Day, you are going to pay a premium price for them. My suggestion for buying flowers is unless you visit purchase flowers to plant at your local garden center, to buy flowers when it’s not a holiday – it means more to the person receiving them.

Buy Gifts Unrelated To Valentine’s Day. Based on your significant other’s needs & interests, you can make plenty of gift choices that aren’t related to Valentine’s Day. This is the route I generally take. Why?! Because it shows more personality & creativity than flowers and candy. Although there is nothing wrong with those gifts, I choose to find things that are more personal. The bonus is I generally get a better value – even if I spend as much as what flowers and candy would cost. There are opportunities in the conversations we have in relationships every day to find something cute, or that makes your significant other laugh; but most importantly, that lets him or her know that you truly care enough to listen to their needs and desires. Those kinds of gifts beat over-priced flowers and candy any day!

Plan Ahead. Taking a quick look at the calendar, Valentine’s Day falls on the same day every year. Funny how it happens like that! If you plan ahead, you might be able to find gifts of interest long before Cupid’s holiday is upon you. This solves a couple of challenges: making sure you have a gift, and overpaying at the last moment. Check the store advertisements ahead of time – especially if you have a specific gift in mind. In addition, waiting too long to purchase the right gift, especially if you’re not sure what to get, leaves you with less choice on the shelves.

Valentine’s Day gift buying can be a challenge, or it can be a breeze. There are so many alternatives to traditional Valentine’s Day gifts that can provide enjoyment and show how much you care. Stay away from the over-priced flowers, and find something that matters a little bit more. You may find out your gift of choice fits into your budget better. Planning ahead can help you find the right gift at the right price, regardless of the size or cost. Valentine’s Day gift giving can be done on a budget and accomplish the goal of showing how much you pay attention to your mate.

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