These Valentine’s Day Gifts Are a Waste of Money (Here’s What to Give Instead)

The most loved-up day of the year is just a weeks away and while some may find this “occasion” ridiculous and useless, others go all out to make their lovers feel special on Valentine’s Day. No wonder this holiday has become a billion dollar industry.

Believe it or not, U.S. consumers are expected to spend an average $143.56 on Valentine’s Day this year, with a total spending anticipated to reach a whopping $19.6 billion.

CRAZY. 

There’s nothing wrong with showing love through material things, but let’s face it, some gifts are just meaningless and not worth spending on.

Let me name a few and share with you some ideas of what to give instead.

Bouquet of roses.

A lot of you may disagree with me but we all know flowers cost a lot during this time of the year. And while it may look pretty for a few days, it’ll just make their way to the trash in about a week.

A delightful arrangement of Valentine’s Day colored roses would cost you around $60-$90, which has a very short shelf life. If you want something that won’t quickly go to waste, get her one of these preserved roses that can last 2-5 years.

Another wise idea would be a flowering plant that you can both take care together.  African violets, Peace Lilies, Orchids and Red-flowered Anthurium are perfect for Valentine’s, as they can bloom year-round indoors in the right light conditions.

A fancy greeting card.

You don’t need to buy a pre-made card in order to express your love to your significant other through words.

Instead, make your own card or just write a simple handwritten letter. Trust me, this is more special and will be more appreciated.

Box of chocolates.

Sweets for your sweet, of course. Chocolates have become a traditional gift during this season but unless your sweetheart is really a chocoholic, then you’re just wasting money when you can just spend it on something they will fancy even more.  I, for example, would rather eat candies, gummy bears and potato chips rather then chocolates. So if you’re planning to get your partner an edible gift for Valentine’s, get something that he/she really likes, whether it’s sushi, donuts or guilt-free healthy treats.

Dinner at a fancy restaurant.

Treating your lover to a fancy dinner on Valentine’s Day can be a memorable date night, but you will certainly spend a lot of money and just find yourselves stressing over how crowded the restaurant may be.

Well, you don’t have to spend that much when you can just whip up your partner’s favorite meal and have a romantic and cozy Valentine’s date night at home. If you got zero cooking skills, you can just order a meal delivery service that already comes with fresh, perfectly-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow step by step guide to help you prepare a gourmet meal in just about half an hour.

It is definitely possible and even more meaningful to make your significant other feel special, appreciated and loved in an unconventional, non-traditional and budget friendly way.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to cost a fortune. At the end of the day, it’s all about what happens all-year round.

It’s not about the gifts. It’s about making them feel loved every single day of the year. Because that’s what true love is all about.

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