Every year, on the 14^th of February, Valentine’s Day is celebrated by millions of people around the globe. It’s an event which transcends its original religious purpose and has become more inclusive; what started as a Christian feast day to honour St. Valentine has become both a cultural and commercial celebration of romance and love as well.

If you have someone special in your life and you’d like to mark the occasion by getting them a card and a gift, you may be wondering how best to go about it. As Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, many have come to feel that the more money spent, the more it shows that you love them. While commercial interests have pushed this idea into the world in order to drive sales, many couples are instead spending very little money or even none at all on their celebrations.

With money tight at this time of year after the numerous expenses of Christmas, you may have decided to stick to a strict budget for Valentine’s Day. This is easily done if you know where to look, and can still be very romantic. Read on for our best romantic gifts ideas for a range of budgets and our top tips for saving money this February 14th.

Budget gift tips

Order flowers in advance

If you want to order flowers from a florist rather than opt for the cheaper supermarket flowers, then ordering these well in advance could see you avoid inflated Valentine’s pricing. Order and pay for your flowers at least 2 weeks in advance but make sure the delivery or collection date is set for Valentine’s Day. This way, you’ll get normal prices and you can relax knowing that you’re organised well in advance.

Opt for pre-owned

If you still want to be able to give a more luxurious gift to your loved one this Valentine’s Day, why not look into buying a pre-owned version, particularly if the item is ‘as new’ or has not been used. You can save a lot of money this way for particular items, such as jewellery and luxury watches. Always buy from a reputable source so that you can be sure that what you’re buying isn’t counterfeit. Check out our range of pre-owned fine jewellery and high-end watches here.

Use voucher codes

Before you purchase anything for your loved one this Valentine’s Day, be sure to check online for any voucher codes or special deals that may be happening at the same time. You may qualify for a free gift or some money off simply by quoting a savings code, so it’s always worth Googling!

Eat early or late for the best prices

Many restaurants will do an ‘early bird’ special for Valentine’s Day, which gives you discounts on your meal for eating earlier in the evening. Alternatively, you could avoid the Valentine’s Day mark-ups altogether and celebrate a day or two late. Not only will dining out be cheaper but you can also find lots of Valentine’s items which have been heavily discounted after the day itself, such as chocolates and gift sets.

Enter Valentine’s competitions

In the run-up to Valentine’s Day, why not enter the competitions that you see online, in the local paper or as a promotion in a physical store? Someone has to win, and the only way that’s definitely not going to be you is if you don’t enter! You could save money on a Valentine’s gift or experience by simply winning – you never know.

Romantic ideas from £0

Hide a love note

In 2019, Valentine’s Day lands on a Thursday, which means your significant other may well be at work during the day. If this is the case, hide a little love note in their bag, coat or their lunch for them to find during the day. If you don’t usually do this, it’ll be a lovely romantic surprise when it is discovered.

Create your own dining out experience

Make cooking from home extra special by lighting candles, putting on music and acting as if you are in a restaurant for the evening. You could even write a menu to show your loved one what they can expect for each course. An intimate meal together can be very romantic, even if it is at home.

Walk in nature or art

Go for a walk together somewhere in nature, such as a park or in the countryside. Seeing beautiful views, wildlife and discovering somewhere new together can be a really fun activity and doesn’t have to cost a thing. If the weather isn’t right for time outside, try free art galleries or a museum instead.

Surprise them with good deeds

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about one very special gift; it can be about lots of little romantic gestures instead. You could leave a rose somewhere for them to find, do chores that they usually hate, surprise them at work or do something to make their day a little more happy and easy than it was yesterday.

Create your own cinema

Much like creating a dining out experience at home, creating your own little cinema evening is surprisingly easy. Consider moving around your furniture temporarily to create the cosiest space possible, get in the drinks and snacks, and watch a romantic movie together.

Make a personalised playlist

While mixed tapes and CD’s aren’t commonly made these days, you can still capture the magic and thoughtfulness of one by creating a digital playlist for your loved one and uploading it to a small, cheap mp3 player so that it’s still a tangible item that can be gift wrapped. Alternatively, go retro and make a mixed tape complete with case inserts designed by you!

Print your favourite photographs

These days, it’s much easier to print photographs than it used to be and thankfully we don’t have to have a full film printed just for one good picture. Many stores offer photo printing directly from your phone or even your Facebook account, and you can select the exact image(s) you want. Source a frame or photo album, and create a keepsake for them that they’ll be able to enjoy all year round.