Ah February…the month of love. But if you’re anything like us, you may be feeling a bit cash-strapped after the festive season, so the thought of spending money on your sweetheart right now is somewhat stressful. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about overpriced restaurant meals and expensive long-stemmed roses though. In fact, it’s often the smallest gestures that can have the biggest impact.
Here are some simple yet memorable Valentine’s Day ideas that will leave your loved one feeling loved without breaking the bank:
1. Add fuel to the fire. Pop out and put some petrol into your loved one’s car. You could also get their car washed or valeted (or even do it all yourself). This will save them time and money and they’ll so appreciate driving round in a shiny, sweet-smelling car.
2. Take the rubbish out. Or mow the lawn. Or wash the dishes. Any job that you know your partner doesn’t enjoy doing…do it without being asked and do it with a smile on your face. They’ll so appreciate these small gestures on Valentine’s Day (and all year round!).
3. Get cooking. Who’s usually the chef in the relationship? If it’s not you, then this is one way to warm their hearts. Think about their favourite foods, find a recipe, source the ingredients and tell them to have a long bath while you get dinner ready. Even if you’re no Jamie Oliver, the fact that you tried is worth way more than the success of the end result.
4. Squeeze toothpaste on to their toothbrush five minutes before you know they’re going to bed, so that they’ll find it already waiting for them. Or, warm their towel in the tumble dryer before their shower and lay their pyjamas out on the bed. Now there’s a novel Valentine’s Day idea.
5. Say thank you. Not necessarily for the big things, but also for the small acts they do for you every day. Things like: “Thanks for the smoothie you make me every morning” or “Thanks for being so kind to my sister/brother/mother”. Thankfulness is an undervalued trait that can be the magic ingredient in your relationship.
6. Give a compliment. Pick one characteristic about your loved one that you like but have never really told them about. It could be, “I love your silly nicknames for me” or “I love your strong forearms”. They’ll get a kick out of learning something new about how you feel and will love being complimented too.
7. Make a playlist. Burn your sweetheart’s favourite songs on a CD and put it on their driver’s seat on Valentine’s morning. It could be songs you know they like, or ones that have special meaning to both of you.
8. Fix something. Whether it's a squeaky door that needs oiling, a picture that needs to be framed or a broken heel of a shoe that needs mending, get it done. They’ll appreciate that you listened to them and took the time to sort out their problem, no matter how small it was.
9. Make a gesture other people can see. Yes your relationship is primarily about the two of you, but small gestures in front of other people can also be very romantic. Show up at your partner’s office on Valentine’s Day with a handful of handpicked flowers or bring them their favourite coffee and a muffin. It may be small, but they’ll really like the way you demonstrated your feelings for them in front of other people.
10. Pay attention. People drop hints all the time. Maybe she mentioned a new book she really wanted to read? Maybe he said in passing that he needed new laces for his running shoes? Noticing the small details of someone’s life and then acting on them can sometimes be the biggest way to tell the person you love how you really feel.
Pick a few of these small gestures for your loved one on the 14th of February – we bet this Valentine’s Day will be one of your best yet! But don’t limit yourself to just one day of the year. Take a few more of our Valentine’s Day ideas, use them on other days of the year and watch your relationship grow from strength to strength.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
