Mentally stuck in trying to figure out what you will do for the day of hearts and don’t have a lot of moolah? Check out this list for some thought-provoking ideas.
DINNER
This is something rookies find out the hard way: going out for Valentine’s Day with your significant other is difficult. Every restaurant is packed, and you could be waiting for up to 2 hours to find food not as lovingly made, ironically. Skip the crowds and make your hubby a special dinner. It might not seem as fancy, but the effort put into this will be appreciated more by your honey – and, you’ll save big bucks.
Talented at burning food? Check your local grocery, such as the Neighborhood Co-Op or Town Square Market, for take-home meals. For myself, I ordered ahead a couple pieces of pie from Rule of Pie in Murphysboro. Not dinner, but delicious.
Seriously.
…AND A MOVIE
Know his/her favorite flick? Even if you hate it, you could rent it. It’s only 2 hours of your life, right? OR – rent the first movie you saw together. Pop some popcorn, make your own drinks. And, unlike the theater, you can pause it when you need to take a break! Also: Rent 1 movie, get 1 FREE coupon is available right now at Family Video.
MAKE A CARD
An overpriced piece of paper doesn’t go as far as a DIY card. Spending hours and hours in the card aisles for the “perfect” card takes time, and even then it isn’t as personal as a homemade. Touch his or her heart with a custom message. Card making sets are available at Hobby Lobby if you are that crafty.
WHAT’S IN A … DATE
2/14 is just a date on a calendar after all, and we all know how expensive roses and restaurants can be on that day. Celebrate early, or late! Be sure to have an understanding of this with your sweetheart before February 14 to save yourself from getting into trouble.
Don’t let this be her.
WRITE A LETTER
Do you remember the first time you ever saw your dreamboat? What about your first kiss? Recount your memory in a letter and stick it into her purse or his coat to be found later. This alone will probably get you more brownie points than a box of chocolate could! (Unless you made your woman angry. 😉 )
“I can’t believe he remembered!” [Swoon.]
ESTATE SALES
Want to get something shiny? Skip the sales people at jewelry stores and head to an estate sale. You could possibly find something unique for less, and the extra effort will go far. Antique stores also may have unique options, such as glassware, décor and furniture. Super City Antiques in Metropolis, Lette’s Shop and Sis’s Memories in Murphysboro, Asbury’s Antiques in Herrin, Kerr’s Antiques and Warehouse Antique Mall in Marion, and the Antique Gallery in Eldorado are all local places to potentially look for a gift in. Get creative – you never know what you’ll find!
MAKE SOMETHING BY HAND
Have a special skill? Put it to work by making something handmade. Get clever – does he/she have a favorite snack, candy? Write something funny to go along with it. For example, get a pack of gum and make a piece of art or a note to go along with it. I did this and put a note that said, “You blow my mind,” along with it and snuck it on my boyfriend’s porch while he was working. #coolgirlfriendawardsnominee
BURN A CUSTOM CD
Feeling like Jim Croce in “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song”? Make a playlist that says your feelings for you! Think about making a special case for the CD. Even better? Make a handwritten track list and put notes about each song along with it.
LIFE’S A GARDEN, DIG IT
Bouquets fade too quick and cost lots of money, so why not plant something that reminds him/her of you year after year! And, at this time of year, plants are especially cheap. Don’t want to dig? Houseplants are always an option. Changing Seasons in Marion and Plantscape in Herrin are a couple local options to pick a plant.
DO A CHORE
Nothing says “I love you” like helping with housework. Do the dishes, laundry, or some other mundane chore you know your dear does not particularly enjoy. Bonus points: make “coupons”. Above and beyond: if a parent, change all the diapers for a week. Here are two coupon templates I put together to make it even easier on you.
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