This time of year makes a lot of people hearts beat fast, and it’s not at the sight of their sweetheart.  They’re in sticker shock from the cost of Valentine’s Day!  Romantic cards, flowers, fancy dinners, and gifts can all make a seemingly lovely day an extremely expensive one.

So if you’d like to share your feelings with a loved one without emptying your bank account, consider these inexpensive ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day:

Skip some of the traditions.

Eventually gifts will be forgotten and even the prettiest flowers will die, so have an honest discussion with your loved one before the big day and agree to skip the gifts.  You’ll save money, reduce stress, and keep clutter out of your home.

Create your own greetings.

Instead of paying money for expensive greeting cards, create your own.  You can craft a more meaningful message without spending much money.  Get romantic by writing a message on the bathroom mirror with a dry erase marker or leave a trail of paper hearts through the house.  Get creative with what you have around the house.

Enjoy a fancy dinner… at home.

Dinner in a fancy restaurant can get very expensive in a hurry, so consider making your sweetheart a fancy dinner at home.  Create a beautiful tablescape on a budget, buy the best ingredients you can afford, and enjoy a quiet, romantic dinner together. If you and your significant other enjoy planning the meal and cooking together, you’ll have dinner and entertainment taken care of.

Find free things to do.

Check out your local community for free events you and your sweetheart would want to attend.  Plan an afternoon outside doing something fun.  If you’ve got the equipment already, you could go skiing, snowshoeing or skating.  You could also go for an outdoor hike.

Spend a night in.

Instead of going out, why not rent a movie (or stream one!) and cuddle up on the couch?  Listen to some of  your favorite music together or read a romantic book to each other.  You can always go out on another night that’s not as busy or expensive.

Consider making Valentine’s Day a family event.

Finding an affordable baby sitter on Valentine’s Day can be next to impossible, so consider making Valentine’s Day a celebration of your family.  Enjoy a fun Valentine-themed meal and play some games, make some heart-shaped crafts, or watch a movie together.

It doesn’t matter how much money you spend, it’s the thought that counts!  So take the time to show your love and appreciation for those who matter most to  you.  Your sentiment is worth more than all the money in the bank.