Ideas for a budget friendly Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day is upon us and many are searching for the perfect way to celebrate. While the holiday brings about the thoughts of fancy dinners, sparkling jewelry and beautiful bouquets of flowers, there are many options for Valentine's Day fun that won't break the bank.

1. Pack a lunch and go on a picnic, if the weather is nice. If the day is chilly, bring that picnic indoors, spreading a blanket on the living room floor and enjoying a picnic lunch with your sweetheart.

2.  Take a long leisurely walk – in the woods, by the lake, or throughout downtown. End your walk with ice cream or your favorite sweet treat.

3.  Make your sweetheart a chocolate bar bouquet. It's a tasty, sweet gesture that he or she is sure to love. You can find ideas on how to do it on Pinterest or YouTube.

4.  Make a Valentine's Day themed charcuterie board. The more creative, the better. It's a delicious option for the day.

5.  Instead of a dozen roses, buy your loved one artificial flowers, which will last much longer. Better yet, gift them packages of flower seeds, presented with a promise to help plant the seeds this spring.

6.  Is your significant other an animal lover? Visit the dogs and cats at your local Humane Society or Animal Shelter. You might even volunteer to walk the dogs together.

7.  Have a movie night at home. Pick up some snacks at the store, and watch two romantic movies, one picked by each of you, while cuddling on the couch.

8.  In keeping with the Valentine's theme, surprise him or her with strawberry milk and a homemade heart-shaped cake.

9.  Shop for thoughtful, romantic or funny gifts for each other at a thrift store or a used book store. Set a nominal budget, and have fun picking out the perfect gifts to surprise each other. You will also benefit a local nonprofit at the same time.

10.  Put on some great music and dance the night away at home. You can play your favorite album or your most romantic playlist, or take turns selecting the tunes.

This is just a sampling of the many affordable ideas to make Valentine's Day special. No matter what you choose to do, spending quality time together will make this Valentine's Day one to remember.