10 Thoughtful Valentine’s Day Gifts That Are Practically Free

Love Notes

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be expensive. Sometimes, showing your sweetheart you love them is as easy as telling them so. Write a quick love message on a post-it note and leave it where your husband or wife will see it first thing in the morning, like on the bathroom mirror. Better yet, write lots of post-its and leave all over the house, even in unexpected places.

Mix Tape Love

Even if you haven’t made someone a mix tape since high school, handpicked tunes are a great, free Valentine’s treat. Make a custom, romantic playlist to show your boyfriend or girlfriend you care! If music isn’t your thing, photocopy some of your favorite short stories or poems to present to your loved one as a “literary playlist.”

Make Breakfast in Bed

It’s a classic for a reason: Instead of worrying all day about how to make the perfect romantic dinner for your valentine, try breakfast in bed and get a whole day’s worth of credit for it. A flower, a chocolate, and a heart shaped placemat are all you need to make eggs, toast, and a fruit bowl look especially festive.

Lunch Is for Lovers, Too!

This is the most expensive item on this list, but it still doesn’t have to cost a lot. If your boyfriend or girlfriend really wants to eat out on Valentine’s Day, consider meeting during work for a romantic lunch. It will be a treat to see each other during the day, and lunch menus are less expensive than dinner ones. 

Make a Balloon Canopy Bed

Celebrate your relationship by making a balloon display above your bed. Get one balloon for each year or month you’ve been together, and attach a note (or photo!) to each one containing a memory you’ve shared or a place you’ve visited as a couple. The colors of the balloons floating above you will create a unique, romantic ambience.

Candy Dots Valentine

Making a homemade card is always a simple and appreciated Valentine’s gift. Add something a little fun by buying a sheet of candy dots beforehand. Then, you can cut them up just like construction paper and paste them on to your now-edible valentine.

Steal a Love Poem

If you don’t really have a way with words, let the pros help you out! At Poets.org, you’ll find tons of classic and contemporary love poems that you can copy into a card, read aloud, or print out and leave...

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