Great Valentine's Day Ideas that are Cheap, not expensive

Valentine's Day may be special to you; or it may be just another day in the month. If it's special to you - make it special, and make it memorable.

No, I'm not talking about buying roses, diamond rings or other lavish gifts for your loved one. I'm simply talking about making the best of the day - so that you two (or more, if with child) could enjoy it.   It's certainly not written in stone that you need to shower your lover with monetary gifts.  How about some great cost effective ideas?  

A special day = very easy, low cost steps on your part. Let's work on making this year a memorable one:

• Plan a different meal. If your family normally eats breakfast together; nix that and do a lunch or early dinner. Cook something creative, and add snacks and desserts. Keep the Valentine's Day theme in check, and add some red and white items to the meal to spice it up.  Make special drinks that you don't normally serve (Red fruit punch, white milk with whipped cream on top, or - for the adults, one of your famous cocktails - maybe a Sangria or Bloody Mary) to mix it up.
• Decorate your home to say Happy Valentine's Day. A red or white tablecloth with a simple $1.99 bunch of flowers on top says "I LOVE YOU".    Tie a red Mylar balloon to the mailbox, and your significant other will realize the day is special when pulling into the driveway.  A nice "welcome" red and white bow on the front door does wonders too!
• Kids always seem to have the best ideas. Making Valentine Day Cards from construction paper, old magazine articles and photos, and adding some paint or crayon art always melts my heart.

Let the kids know that red and white are the colors of the day. Let them search for "things" around the house,  collect them and utilize them.  

My red and white items this year are:  (From a 7 year old)

White:

Bread, Paper, Flour, Glue, Milk, White Grated Cheese and English Muffins.

Red:

Paper, Pepperoni, Tomato Sauce, X-Mas Ribbon, Tomatoes, Red Crayon.

Okay, so now we have to figure out how to match Red and White; right?

More power to us! This is a job in itself, and will keep my daughter occupied for hours on end. Needless to say, I think that we will be having some sort of English Muffin pizza with cheese, tomato sauce and tomatoes. Maybe some pepperoni.   Hopefully, we won't include the milk, paper, glue, or red crayons!  We will need to figure what were are doing with those things.

If kids are old enough, they can help make special cookies, cupcakes or candies. Children can also come up with their own ideas to decorate the home to show that "LOVE" is in the air.

I don't normally entertain at home.  Thus, the parties and frills of it all, are somewhat non-existent.  I like to plan holidays, or special days around my family, and I like to give them suprises along the way.  Valentine's Day is the best day to show your love. How about this:

I normally make Spaghetti and Meatballs or Lasagna on simple "Holidays".  How about a nice array of finger sandwiches, salads, and other snacks so that everyone can just "sit around" and pick and choose for a change?   Cheese and Crackers are one of my all time favorites.

Homemade cookies or treats are always nice, especially when they are not expected!   Don't want to bake?  Run to your local supermarket and get a small batch of Valentine Day goodies.  My local ShopRite always has small batches of "white fudge brownies" with red icing on top.  

How about great treats on the grill? Here in New Jersey, I don't normally get to use the grill much in the winter. On Valentine's Day, I will do things a little bit different. I WILL fire up the grill and roast red peppers, or a special marinated steak. This is a treat that my family loves, and normally doesn't expect in the dead of winter.

Rent a DVD so that the family could enjoy it together. Maybe a romance, maybe a funny kid's movie; maybe one that you have seen a thousand times and know that you will all enjoy.

Let the dog lick the plates. Yes, paper plates only! This will give the dog a little more lovin & when she is done, it will make you feel better too!

All in all, make it a nice day; enjoy loving, and enjoy being loved.

For yourself & your family, and close friends too (if they count!!).  It is easy to forget our close friends during Valentine's Day.   Make a phone call and wish tell them that you love them.

Let all of those that you love know that they have made a difference in your life.  After all is said and done, a good and strong group hug does wonders.  Give it a shot. Make THIS Valentine's day different.   ENJOY.