Welcome to my first ever Valentine’s Day post! I know right, where have I been all this time.
Truth be told, I have never really enjoyed this romantic day all that much and I think that comes down to being single for the majority of my 20s around this loving holiday. I used to swap romantic dinners for a girls night out on the town to celebrate being single – why on earth not right?
When I met Gareth nearly 7 years ago (wow!) he really changed my view on Valentine’s day and I started to enjoy all the romantic gestures. I’m not a girl for expensive presents and fancy pants restaurants who raise their prices just because it’s Valentine’s Day, so I’m a big fan of the more meaningful moments. It has also just hit me that this will be my first Valentine’s as a wife eeeek!
Here’s my list of 5 ways that you can say ‘I love you’ this Valentine’s without breaking the bank.
Swap fancy restaurants for a stay at home dinner
Why spend a fortune at an expensive restaurant and have share this loving moment with thousands of others (slight exaggeration but you know what I mean). If you love restaurants and wining & dining then I totally get it but how about a stay at home dinner instead, for example, an M&S meal deal where you get 1 starter, 1 main meal, 1 dessert and a bottle of wine for the grand total of £20.00 – such a bargain!
Set a budget for gifts
Setting a budget that is going to work for both of you in terms of buying one another gifts really is the way forward! For the last couple of years, Gareth and I never go over £10.00 and always seem to buy silly gifts, which I love. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for your partner this year or if you girls want to treat yourself, then why don’t you try out the Look Fantastic beauty boxes which contain products worth over £50.00. You buy the beauty box on a monthly subscription plan of £15.00 however, there are cheaper options. Alternatively, you can purchase the products separately if you wish. I have always loved Look Fantastic and for the past 2 years, Gareth has bought me their Christmas beauty calendars and I’m obsessed. I just love little surprises and personally I feel this is the ideal gift.
Here’s a sneak preview of this years Valentine’s Look Fantastic beauty box:
Breakfast in bed
Food is the language of love or at least I like to think so. How romantic is it when your loved one brings you breakfast in bed? I just love it! And yes before you ask, I have made Gareth breakfast in bed before too. If you’re feeling super cheesy, why don’t you cut the toast in to a heart shape with a luxury cup of coffee or glass of prosecco (hey, no judgement here!)
Plan a trip down memory lane
I have never done this – YET! but what a fab idea. Why don’t you take a trip to where you first met, cook your first dinner you had together or create a photo album on Photo Box with all your memories – aww cute! This is inexpensive and so thoughtful, which is something that really impresses me. Like they say, it’s the thought that counts.
Send a love letter
Going old school here but why not! I used to struggle with expressing my emotions so I used to write them down. Getting them down on paper just made it all that easier. If you struggle like I used to, why don’t you give this a try. Also, I think it’s really sweet and super romantic.
To all you singletons out there, celebrate and enjoy this day. Treat yourself, head out on the town and if you are searching for love, why don’t you go to a speed dating session. Or apply for Love Island haha (I would have totally have done this show if I was single – just saying!).
Make sure you’re following me over on Instagram where I share what we are getting up to this year for Valentine’s on Instagram Stories. Also, let me know what your Valentine’s plans are this year.
*Quick disclaimer – This post contains gifted products
Those are such cute things to do for Valentine’s day. My boyfriend and I love to treat ourselves to some dinner or at least a cake and some wine, maybe some candles and a hot bath. Wish you a wonderful first Valentine’s day as husband and wife. š
Author
Aww yes to the hot bath and candles, how romantic. Iām all for this! Thank you so much and have the most romantic Valentineās Day as well ā¤ļø
These are all such fab ideas!! Valentines Day shouldn’t be able how much money is spend it should be about the time that is spend with partners/friends/family! A stay at home dinner and a trip down memory lane are such good ideas!
Author
I agree! Personally, it’s always been the small and thoughtful things that impress me the most. We’re definitely getting a meal deal this year and I’m looking forward to a chilled evening and most likely watching Love Island haha! š
Fab ideas! My partner and I will also be having a nice dinner at home for Valentineās Day š
Author
Aww sounds like the perfect evening. We’re also doing that this year and I can’t wait! I love getting a meal deal and a bottle of wine, just thinking about it I’m getting excited haha!
Aww these are all such great ideas! I love the idea of planning a trip down memory lane or cooking a dinner at home and having a chilled evening, my fiancĆ© and I will definitely be doing that next year when weāve got our own place. š
Author
Thanks for reading Hollie, so happy you enjoyed the post. Iām definitely looking forward to my evening in this year and a nice hot bath ā¤ļø have a fab Valentineās Day xxxx
Aw love this post Vic! Iām the same, it annoys me that restaurants up prices for the day. Iād much prefer a night in with goodies and tasty food! Ps NEED THAT PHONE CASE haha! Han xxx
Author
Haha itās beaut isnāt it? Yep thatās exactly what Iām doing this year. M&S meal deal and chilled eve with Love Island. Ahhh bliss! ā¤ļø have a great Valentines
These are all such gorgeous ideas!! I espesh love the dinner and home one and brekki in bed! I mean anything to do with food I adore haha!!!! And the letter idea is so special xxxx
Author
Thanks so much Sammy for reading. Yes to the food haha! I canāt wait for my meal deal and a chilled eve ā¤ļø have a great valentines
This is such an insightful post as I am sh*te at presents and Valentines Day stresses me out beyond belief š These are ideas Iāve never thought of before, but how thoughtful are they?! Definitely something I could do and I think Andy would be surprised… Weāre going for that engagement ring in 2020 š Thanks Vic! X
Tori// ohsot.co.uk
Author
So happy you enjoyed it Tori and thanks so much for reading. Let me know how you get on this Valentines but I honestly couldn’t recommend the M&S meal enough. I really should be working on commission the amount of times I have recommended them haha! Yes to the engagement ring Mrs, keep me in the loop š xxxx