Frugal Valentine Gift Ideas from our Readers

Frugal Valentine Gift Ideas

Like many moms, we are pinching every penny.  This year for Valentine's Day I am giving my kid's (and hubby too) love coupons good for: extra time on the computer, any cookie/dessert recipe they want, extra movie, no clean-up day, a day free of chores, etc.  For my hubby, I plan on setting up the card table with a lace table cloth, candle, soft music, favorite dessert, etc. for a special date! -- Debbie from TX

My husband made me an "I love you" CD. He chose lots of songs that were about love including "Brown-eyed Girl." (I have brown eyes).  It's really special.  When we were in college he did a similar thing with a cassette tape. -- Tracy, 35, from NC

I love poems. For my husband, I would find "Daddy" poems and either print them word for word of course including the author's name) or adapt it to make it appropriate for him. Using my computer, I would put them in a beautiful border or with an appropriate picture and frame them for our wall. He loves them because each has a special meaning for him.  This could also be done for anyone important to you. It looks really nice with the two-photo frame - one frame for the poem and the other for a nice print or picture. -- Deb, 32, from MN

I'm planning a Sweetheart Scavenger hunt for my kids for Valentine's Day.  I did all my shopping at the dollar store.  My 2 year old daughter is into pretty jewelry right now so I bought a pack of rings for her.  My 4 year old son loves anything with wheels so I bought a pack of cars for him.  Then I picked up a package of Valentine treat bags.  I'll put their surprises in the bags and hide them.  I'm going to wake them up with their first goody and a clue then lead them all over the house to find the rest of their treasures.  Lots of fun for just $3.00.  -- Andi from IN

My husband did this for me and it was inexpensive, but thoughtful and romantic. He framed our bathroom mirror with hot pink post it notes as a valentines morning surprise. All of the post it's had one loving or encouraging word written on them, i.e. beautiful, charming, disciplined, loving, caring . -- Lynn, 37, from MN

A fun Valentine Idea I love doing for my husband is a candy gram.  You can be creative with all the different names of candy and be really sweet telling him exactly how you feel about him.  My husband loves having the treats that usually last him a few weeks.  I also did the "12 Days of Valentine's" for him one year.  I really had to get creative and start early enough, but he loved getting a little something from me each day!  A lot of the things were just candy or little items I knew he needed or wanted. -- Katrina, 34, from AZ

My fiance didn't have a lot of money lot year for Valentine's day, but he wanted to give me roses. So what he did was load up a screen saver with roses on it, and bought me a bracelet. It was so sweet, and it didn't cost him anything! It meant more to me then any real flowers could have! -- Amanda, 24, from New Brunswick

Last Valentine's Day I went to the local hardware store and purchased a key with a red plastic identifier on it. I added a note saying "You have the Key to my heart". Very inexpensive, very sentimental. -- Michelle, 43, from MN

As much as I love to give gifts at each holiday it gets a little costly.  So instead of buying big expensive gifts we have gotten into the habit of making memorable gifts.  Our favorite so far, which works for any holiday.  Is a personalized t-shirt.  I bought an inexpensive pre-shrunk t-shirt and used fabric paint to write on a message, then personalize it with the date and hand and foot prints from my son.  Grandparents love this gift! -- Tracy, 29, from IL

I did this last year with my son (8 yrs.) and husband.  Cut out hearts two different colors, pick the same number ( I did 10 each) Ryan was pink and my husband was red.  Hide them around the house and let them go at it finding them.  I put "coupons" on each of the Valentines that they can redeem with a two day notice (I was flexible!)

Suggestions:

Husband                                                    
"Free" afternoon to Menard's                   
Choice of dinner and movie                      
Remote control for entire night                
body massage                                          

Son

1 -$5 toy from Target
1 free movie ticket

Pizza party w/friends

Fun Day w/Mom

ETC.   use your imagination!!!  You can even just put little sweet thoughts, like you are special, Love you etc. They thought this was really cool.  If you have more than one child do different colors for each child, assign they colors and maybe only do 5 each.  Have fun! -- Amy Kleist, Hugo, MN

I made about 20 lavender hearts of paper and wrote a different something I loved about my husband on each one.  I hid them in various places that he would find them--inside a shoe, on his razor, in a jacket pocket.  I put enough of them in places that he would find a bunch early on, but some he didn't find for a few days.  It was a nice surprise and he liked the specific loving items written on each heart. -- Genie, 40, from CA

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