Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love, but that’s not necessarily without cost, considering Valentine’s Day is another holiday that taps into the pockets of many Americans. To find out just how big the price tag is on this holiday, we surveyed 600 American’s planning to celebrate with a significant other to learn out more about their Valentine’s Day spending and found:
More than half of respondents say they feel obligated to spend money on their significant other for Valentine’s Day, with 67% of men saying they feel the obligation compared to just 40% of women.
Nearly 1 in 3 (30.6%) respondents plan to spend less than $50 this Valentine’s Day, nearly 1 in 4 (22.7%) plan to spend between $50 and $100, and nearly 1 in 5 (17.9%) plan to spend between $100 and $150. On average, married people plan to spend more than unmarried people for Valentine’s Day.
Three in four respondents (75.7%) plan to pay for dinner, 3 in 5 (65.5%) plan to purchase gifts, more than 2 in 5 (41.9%) plan to buy cards, more than 1 in 3 (36.4%) will buy flowers and 1 in 10 (10.2%) plan to pay for out of town travel.
You don’t have to break the bank to make your partner feel special on Valentine’s Day. Remember, the holiday is not about money, it’s about love. Here are five easy ways to celebrate without spending a ton of money.
Make a card. I know, making a card sounds like something you did in elementary school, but remember how your parents lit up when you came home with it? Homemade cards are a good way to express yourself and show your significant other how much you really care. Taking the time to sit down and make a card, instead of dropping by the store and picking up some generic card, can be much more romantic.
Get Active. If you and your sweetie both enjoy the outdoors, Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to do something active. Bike riding, hiking and rock climbing are all activities that you can enjoy together. To make it even more special, consider packing a special lunch to enjoy on your adventure.
Make a mixtape. Maybe you put a new spin on the classic mixtape by making them a playlist of your favorite songs, songs that remind you of them or maybe even other songs that have significance in your relationship. Your significant other can take this gift with them wherever they go. Tried and true, music speaks to the soul. Mixtapes are sentimental and can be cherished forever, or at least as long as the relationship lasts.
Unplug. Give your sweetie the gift of undivided attention. Unplug for the a night, a whole day or even 24 hours to spend quality time with your significant other. This gives you the opportunity to really tune in, thoroughly enjoy each other’s company and connect. Spend the time doing whatever it is the two of you enjoy, even if it’s just cuddling up on the couch watching a movie.
Cook a meal together. Getting a Valentine’s Day dinner reservation can be nearly impossible, especially if you’ve waited until the last minute, not to mention the cost of dinner itself. As an alternative, plan a romantic dinner at home you and your partner can cook together. Save money, spend quality time and eat as much as you want.
These five ideas are just a start. There are many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank.
Brionna is on a roller coaster that only goes up. You can follow her on twitter @BrionnaLewis.