We’re five days in to February which means Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! The most romantic day of the year is just over two weeks away and the pressure of doing something wonderful on the 14th for our other half is building. But does doing something wonderful always mean having to spend lots of money?

An expensive present, a fancy restaurant and a big bunch of flowers – for many people, this is what their Valentine’s Day usually looks like. And it usually costs a fortune! However, we don’t think it has to be that way. We believe you can show your partner how much you love them, and how much they mean to you, even when spending a lot less cash.

Have a look at our ideas for celebrating Valentine’s Day whilst sticking to a budget…

Don’t buy your gifts, make them! – chances are you’ll have a lot of fun if you give each other home-made Valentine’s gifts, as well as saving some cash at the same time. You can also make them a lot more personal than anything you can buy in the shops. What about a photo collage of all your favorite pictures of you together? Or even a mix tape (retro but trendy!) of all their favorite songs?

Deliver the flowers yourself – this way you’ll save on the delivery charge, which can often be almost as much as the flowers, and you’ll get brownie points for being extra romantic. It’s a win-win idea!

Don’t go out, have a romantic night in – instead of splashing out on an expensive meal at a restaurant, why not have cosy night at home and cook your other half a 3-course meal? The ingredients you need won’t cost as much as a meal in a fancy restaurant, and the thought and effort you put in to the evening will be really appreciated by your loved one.

Choose cheaper champagne – not many people can tell the difference between good champagne and the really expensive stuff so if you’re planning to share a bottle with your other half this Valentine’s Day, go for the less expensive option and save on some cash.

Romantic gestures – the most romantic gestures are often the ones that don’t cost any money. Posting love notes around the house requires imagination and effort, running your other half a candle-lit bubble bath costs absolutely nothing and money doesn’t need to be involved when spending quality time together.

Valentine’s Day is about showing your loved one how much they mean to you but it doesn’t have to mean breaking your bank balance to do so. Enjoy!