Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays. I like the hearts, the reds, the pinks, and the overall idea of celebrating love with the one you love. It can also be a time to get creative about how to celebrate, and it doesn't have to cost a lot of money. Like all holidays, Valentines Day can be what you make, and it most certainly doesn't have to be about extravagance. A heartfelt, thoughtful gift can mean much more to someone than the most expensive of gift. In fact, these thought out, from-the-heart gifts are priceless. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Instead of a card, fill a mason jar with pieces of paper saying what you love about the other person. Watch your partner pull them out and read them one by one. You could also have a starting theme for each card, something like “I love you because...” or “You are my favorite because...”
Activism, volunteering, or random acts of kindness to those in the community. Is there a cause or a group of people that you are both passionate about? This is a great way to both give back, as well as a way to create a sense of unity and being a part of a team.

Have a stay-at-home date night. Dress up as if you were going out, light candles, order (or even better, make!) your favorite food and drink, and stay in. You could go to the library beforehand to check out some movies or watch some that you already own. Or have a marathon night of games, a TV show, or looking at pictures and talking about old memories.
Get crafty with your card or gift. There are so many ideas out there, whether it's through Pinterest, blogs, or craft books. Here are a couple links to check out.

http://www.bettymagazine.org.uk/blog/valentines-day-gift-wrap-hq-diy/

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/valentines-day/crafts/

Staycation. This one will cost a bit more money, but it might be fun to check out a last minute hotel deal or something through www.airbnb.com. Spend the night in a different part of the city you've wanted to explore, or in a hotel you've always been curious about.
Take an online relationship test. I recommend the Love Languages or the Enneagram.
Create a slide show of pictures you've taken together over the year. Put it to music and add your own captions.
Reevaluate where you are as a couple and where you are headed. Identify your mission statement as a team, along with your dreams and values. Write these out together and put them where you see them everyday.

Love and Money