8 Valentine’s Day Gifts That Are as Meaningful as They Are Affordable

There are plenty of cute Valentine’s Day ideas to be found, but what about cheap Valentine’s gifts that won’t break the bank? A last-minute frenzy of wandering through the red, pink, and purple aisles at the grocery store could cost you, and honestly, probably won’t impress your sweetie much.

Turns out, those ages 25 to 34 are the biggest spenders during the heart holiday with a spending average of $202.76, but could they have done it for less?

Our list of eight cheap Valentine’s gift ideas will have your sweetheart swooning over your thoughtfulness, and you’ll be ready to brag about how much you didn’t spend! Well, maybe you’d like to keep that to yourself, too. We won’t judge.

Sweet Treats Under $1

Lindt and Russell Stovers chocolates are great and all, but c’mon—your favorite candy bar from the impulse rack at the checkout line is equally satisfying. Americans spend nearly $2 billion in chocolate and candy but you can easily snag classic sweet treats for under a buck a piece.

Put together a small bag of your honey’s favorite sweet treats. A plethora of single candy bars with a handmade card noting, “I’m sweet on you!” makes for a thoughtful and cute Valentine’s Day gift without going overboard.

The Elegance Without the Expense

Skip the $100 dinner and opt for a ritzy meal at home. Most times, restaurants will have annoying wait times during Valentine’s Day, which means you need to make a reservation.

You’ll also need to get dressed up and while it’s nice to celebrate with your boo in this way, it’s not necessary. Save your money for big purchases and share a meal that feels special at home. Choose something you don’t normally make that feels first-class but stays within a sensible budget.

Homemade Sushi

Pick up nori seaweed, imitation crab, sushi rice, and the rest of the fixings to create homemade sushi. It feels fancy without the too-high bill at the end of your meal.

Peruse your local grocery store for frozen shrimp tempura that you can reheat and stuff into a sushi roll for another cheap variation. Try adding sweet potato or sriracha to create new varieties.

Make it fun with chopsticks that you, of course, saved from your last Chinese takeout order. Grab pillows and eat your creation titami style by sitting on the floor at your coffee table.

Fixing Fondue

There’s something about melted cheese that just screams, “I love you.” Okay, maybe not, but virtually anything dipped is going to be beloved. Pick up some bread, apples, veggies, chicken, or ham from the store and cube up for your dippers.

Melt butter, milk, Swiss, and cheddar cheese in a sauce pot until combined and voila! Grab some fondue forks or toothpicks and you’re all set to dip.

Fajitas

Even the pickiest Valentine won’t turn their nose up to the sizzle of fajitas. Make a fajita bar by putting out every possible topping and go crazy. Serve up chicken, steak, or shrimp along with sour cream, cheese, black olives, onions and peppers, guacamole, and more. Hungry yet?

S’mores

Chocolates and fancy candy might work for your mom, but sometimes a good ol’ fashioned treat from your childhood can feel just as meaningful. Grab a bag of mallows, graham crackers, and bar chocolate to roast over a fire.

Don’t have access to an open flame? No problem. Heat an oven to 350 degrees and layer a small baking dish with graham cracker squares, chocolate, and marshmallow halves. Repeat with another layer and top with remaining marshmallow halves. Bake 9 to 11 minutes until marshmallows are puffed and golden brown on top.

Ditch the Roses

A dozen roses could cost more than $90 due to big price hikes during V-Day. So why not take a clue from the rom-com How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and adopt a love fern instead? Not only do they last longer (be sure you don’t let the love fern die) but they add oxygen and decor to your loved one’s home. Try looking for small succulents or air plants as a cheaper alternative to flowers.

Cupid Coupons

Show your appreciation for your significant other through the form of cupid coupons. Your thoughtfulness can be shown through free coupons for a 10-minute massage, cooking dinner one night, doing their laundry, or watching their favorite movie together.

Come up with different coupon ideas and place them in a decorative jar or envelope that your partner can redeem throughout the year.

Fun and Free Local Activities

There are plenty of fun and free activities that you can take advantage of locally. Head back to your favorite spot at the park for a stroll, or drive up to a local scenic overlook. Search your city for free museums or points of interest that you haven’t been to together.

If the weather isn’t holding up, why not do a group Valentine’s Day happy hour at home? Ask friends to BYOB and celebrate together. You’ll have fun as a group and you won’t have to worry about spending a ton of money.

Love Letter

The written word goes a long way. If it’s been awhile since you’ve confessed your love, or you have yet to confess it, express your feelings in a handwritten letter. Reflect on the past year with your boo and tell them why they are so special.

If you’re short on words, write the top reasons why your partner makes you smile. Write each reason on a post-it note and post them throughout their house or in their car. Brownie points if you can get them posted at their office.

Scavenger Hunt

If you’re really crafty, come up with a scavenger hunt. You can make it themed according to your loved one’s favorite book, TV show, or movie. There’s nothing better than solving a Harry Potter-themed riddle that leads your partner to the Gryffindor House Cup or Tom Riddle’s diary.

Try coming up with four to five clues that lead to a small gift. A gift card to a local coffee shop feels like more than a gift card when you put together a scavenger hunt with your honey’s favorite things in mind.

The Date Questions

This activity should be reserved for long-term relationships because these 36 questions can get quite personal. The Date questions were developed by social psychology researcher Arthur Aron to bring couples closer together.

The questions start off casual and progressively become more personal. It’s a great way to strengthen your relationship as a couple, just keep in mind you’ll need someplace private to go through the questions. Access The Date questions here .

Game Night

Turn lovey-dovey into player one and player two with a classic game night. Break out the Mario Kart or Clue board game for a different way to spend Valentine’s Day. Pick up a deck of cards or Jenga and add some wagers to make it interesting. Loser does the dishes.

Download free game apps like Heads Up for a fun charade game before dinner. Download different card decks on the app to test your ability to describe pop culture antics or act out animal noises. It’s goofy, yes, but it’s free and fun.

We Love Money

You are now armed with great Valentine’s Day ideas that maximize the moment while keeping your focus on paying down debt. Those pesky student loans will still be around after V-Day, you know.

That extra savings from this year’s Valentine’s Day can go straight into a fee-free account like SoFi Checking and Savings®. Our goal is to eliminate as many fees as possible. That being said, our fee structure is subject to change at any time.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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