Roses are red
Violets are blue
Love on a budget
Is easy to do!
Times may be hard, but we are a nation of romantics at heart, with an estimated 34.8 million of us (65%) celebrating Valentine’s Day in 2024. Research shows we spent an average of £50 per person last year, whether that’s buying gifts or enjoying a meal together. Despite so many of us celebrating it, a poll found that half of those surveyed thought of Valentine’s Day as a “waste of money” – with novelty mugs, cheap underwear, and gift vouchers among the worst presents.
Furthermore, 50% are bored of the same old gestures and would like their partner to make more effort, instead of spending money on items they don’t really want.
Spending time together is more important than spending cash
Valentines’ Day is big business! The standard gifts include flowers, jewellery, cuddly toys, trinkets and chocolates, not to mention romantic meals and getaways, as well as a traditional card. However, it’s not how much cash you splash that matters most apparently. In another survey, 70% of all respondents thought that their partner values the quality time they spend together more than anything else.
Only 2% of those surveyed said their partner values the amount of money they spend on them on Valentine’s Day above anything else.
We’re also sharing the love with our pets. A 2024 survey found that 30.4% of us have bought our pets a Valentine’s gift in the past, with most (57.14%) spending between £10-£25.
Solo celebrations are also becoming popular. In 2020, 25% of us planned to treat ourselves for Valentine’s Day, spending an average of £12.50 each (£155 million in total).
So, as it turns out, you definitely can put a price on love.
Given the increased cost of living, now is a good time to rethink our spending habits and get back to what it’s really all about. Valentine’s Day is about showing affection and appreciation – it doesn’t have to cost the earth. If you buy gifts for your loved one (whether human or the four-legged kind), why not consider these budget friendly, low waste options?
- Show your eternal love by buying a house plant instead of cut flowers – it will last much longer
- No present pact – finding the perfect gift can be stressful, time consuming and expensive. Agree to give the gift of time instead
- Create a scrapbook of special times and mementos · Make a homemade card and add your own personalised message from the heart
- Consider buying upcycled gifts
- Go for a stroll – seafront, woodland, local neighbourhood or somewhere with special memories. Make their favourite drink and take it with you in a reusable cup.
- Make a date jar – fill a jar with fun activities and pick one out at random to do together.
- Buy from independent retailers or Etsy · Give a gift experience, promise or subscription
- Give a promise to do something that you know your loved one will really like · Wrap presents in fabric or brown paper. Fabric can be reused and brown paper can be recycled easily
- Have a picnic – indoors or outdoors! · Give the gift of relaxation with these homemade pamper products · Make homemade chocolates to avoid packaging
- Cook together! Try something new, a favourite dish or something fancy. If your budget for food is especially tight, use apps like Olio, where you can pick up food for free donated by people locally who don’t need it. Or Too Good To Go, which offers surprise bargains from big name restaurants and shops such as Pizza Express, Greggs, Yo Shushi, Co Op, Aldi and Morrisons. Also check out your local community fridge to see what surplus supermarket food is available for free.
- Create a reusable gift box and fill with treats for your pet – check out YouTube for homemade pet-friendly recipes.
- Change the date! Who says you have to celebrate on February 14th? Prices are often inflated for the day itself, so why not take advantage of more affordable offers on the 15th and celebrate then, or later?
Lastly, if you’re enjoying some bubbly, don’t forget to recycle the bottle!