10 Great Ideas for Valentine's Day on a Budget
by Megan Malone
Valentine's Day!
No matter how jaded you may feel about another Hallmark holiday, it’s supposed to be all about telling your mate you think he/she is special – after all these years. Or it's perhaps about gratitude for the new person in your life.
Or, if you’re single, glorying in the knowledge that you don’t have to answer to anybody; you can always celebrate by doing something special for yourself.
Or, if you’re an empty nester and missing your kids, it’s a legitimate reason to send them an email. They might even send “I love you” back. Or some cryptic text message to that effect, decipherable by googling it, maybe.
Here are a few suggestions for celebrating the whole idea of “loving those you love” in one way or another without breaking the budget.
- A handmade Valentine's card. No matter how hokey, it’s a winner. Or buy some of those cheap “kiddie” punch-out valentines and give them out to all your friends just like when you were in Grade 1.
- Breakfast in bed: Ah! The old standby! Vary it by making sure there’s a flower on the tray. Add value by reading a poem. You can do the basics with:“Roses are red. Violets are blue. It’s Valentines Day. And I love you.” (But may I suggest for the more sophisticated either “Somewhere I Have Never Travelled” by e.e. cummings or “Four White Violets” by Leonard Cohen for real romance – and possibly conversation.)
- Coupons: only for special stuff -- not the usual chores, but extra chores, or maybe for special promised walks, or is there a special performance coming up this year your beloved longs to attend? Valentines Day is all about promises.
- Massage -- 'nuff said!
- Take a bath: you guessed it – bubbles, candles, wine, and hopefully together! Or just scrub the back.
- Cook a special meal: With exquisite proper napkins, cutlery, plates, candles, and not the usual recipe – maybe try Terry Jones' “hot date” Anglo-Canadian-Indian Curry, recipe available elsewhere on this site.
- If you’re single: make a date with all your friends (couples included, they’re maybe not all that busy despite whatever they say) and go somewhere with live music. Have fun. Other people in the room will be drawn to your group.
- Check out the Mary Winspear, the local rec centres, the live theatres, the cinemas, the calendar at bestseniorsinfo.com, the local seniors centres. You’d be surprised at the wealth of events.
- Start a genealogical tree at www.ancestry.ca. This may just be the beginning of a search, and many more online tools are available. Still, your honey might just be thrilled that you thought of this for him/her!
- Buy a really great looking scrapbook: Populate it with extraordinarily happy memories like photos, ticket stubs, pressed flowers etc… But if you don’t have these, just start it off with the happiest picture you can get hold of today – Valentine's Day – and build from there!
*** Megan Malone is a Victoria author with a myriad of interests.
