Valentine’s Day is almost upon us. This corporate holiday, pulled from thin air in order to sell more stuff, that says we should be romantic on a certain day. I mean, if you have a significant other, shouldn’t you try to do nice things for them all the time? Anyway, this is my first Valentine’s Day without a girlfriend in quite some time. I always hated the idea of it, but I always celebrated in some way or another. If you are looking for a way to impress your valentine without spending much (or anything at all), check out this list of ideas.

  • Skip the card. Instead, write a letter highlighting the good times you’ve had throughout your relationship.
  • Create a spa night at home. Lower the lights, light a bunch of candles, put on some soft music… you get the idea.
  • Show up at their workplace, meet them as they take a break, and whisk them away to a park to have a picnic lunch.
  • Set up a treasure hunt. Find a bunch of inexpensive but thoughtful gifts, and hide them around the house.
  • Skip the restaurant, and instead order in or cook at home. Valentine’s Day at a crowded restaurant doesn’t exactly say romance.
  • Do something nice for them around the house. Doing something unexpected like cleaning his/her car, or doing something around the house that you normally don’t do and don’t like doing, shows that you care.
  • Make a coupon book filled with things like massages, breakfast in bed, a night out, and other things you think they may like.

Hopefully some of these ideas can help you show that you care while not spending a lot. It’s not about the money you spend, but the thought you put into it.