Cheap Valentine's Day Tips

It’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow, do you know what you are going to get your sweet heart for Valentine’s Day? My last two blogs have been for the kids and Valentine’s Day, so today this is for the adults. Do you really have to spend a lot of money on Valentine’s Day? I would say no!  I have a much cheaper way to say I love you on Valentine’s Day. When I heard what the average person spends on Valentine’s Day, I almost died. The average person spends between $75 to $150 dollars on Valentine’s Day. Are you nuts, no way am I spending that much money.  As my husband would say just another holiday that the stores rip you off and expect you to fork out a bundle of money. So here is some of my tips on saving for Valentine’s Day.

Flowers, Flowers, flowers! Yes, flowers are nice but very expensive. This is the time of the year when the florist shops make a killing. They jack up the prices because they know they got you. Don’t fall for this trick, there is a cheaper alternative. If you have to buy flowers go to your local Walmart of another grocery store and buy your flowers there. You can get a nice bouquet of flowers for under $15.oo dollars. Make your own card and personalize it, then deliver the flowers yourself to save a bundle of money.

Do you take your sweet heart out to eat for Valentine’s Day? Get ready to spend over $50.00. This is nuts! I go to the store and buy all the ingredients for a nice dinner and I make a nice candle light dinner for my husband. I can make this dinner for less than half the price of a dinner out at a restaurant. Now you don’t have to dress up and worry about reservations.

Do you take your sweet heart out to a movie? Movies are expensive. Two people and popcorn can cost you over $40.00 dollars. If you have cable of Netflix, watch a movie at home after your special dinner at home. Now you can decide whatever movie you like and watch. like. No going out and waiting in line.

Valentine’s Day Cards, don’t get me going on this one! This is a waste of money. I can tell my husband in many other ways that I love him very deeply. A Valentine’s Day Card can cost you over $5.00 dollars. Cards are a waste of money. Make your own cards and save the money.

My husband and I decided many years ago to stop buying expensive flowers, cards, going out to eat, and doing the movie thing for Valentine’s Day. Spending time together is the most important thing to do on Valentine’s Day. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to be able to say I love you on Valentine’s Day. Happy Valentine’s Day from Suzie Homemaker.

Craft Projects Made Easy

Today I have a fun craft project to do with your children or girl- scout troop. This project is very easy to make and very inexpensive. Most of the materials you will need you probably have around your house. With a little prep time, this project can be done in about an hour depending on the size you make.

Materials Needed

Crafting foam or cones                                                   scraps of material in different colors

Scissors                                                                           Ruler

Pinking shears (optional)                                                Pencil or Pen

Beads, buttons, colored tacks, or any other flowers or decorations

1.       First, cut your foam or cones into whatever shape you like and make it, at least, ½ inch thick. I did circles to make it easy. I have also done heart shapes.

2.       Cut your material into 1 ½ inch squares of different colors or all one color depending on what you like. Sometimes I even add lace to dress it up a little bit. If you want this project to last a little longer, use pinking shears to cut your material so it does not ravel.

3.       Take your pencil or pen and place it in the middle of your material and wrap the material around your pen or pencil.

4.       Next, push your wrapped pencil or pen and push it into the foam. By twisting the pen or pencil just a little bit this will make it look like a flower. Take your fingers and spread it out just a little.

5.       Start by doing the sides first all the way around. Gradually start doing the top. Leave open any areas you want to put any or your beads, flowers or any other decoration.

Materials Needed

Crafting foam or cones                                                     Cupcake holders in any colors

Scissors                                                                                Pencil or Pen

Beads, Buttons, or any other flowers or decorations

1.       First, cut your foam or cones into any shape you want and make it, at least, ½ inch thick.

2.       Take your cupcake holders and cut them into 4 pieces.

3.       Take your ¼ piece of your cupcake holder and wrap it around your pen or pencil.

4.       Push your wrapped pen or pencil into the foam twisting a little bit. Spread out the paper a little bit to make it look like a flower.

5.       Start by doing the sides and gradually work your way to the top. Leave room for your beads, flowers, and any other decorations you may like to add.

This is a fun and inexpensive project to do with almost any age child. I did this project with my daughters Girl Scout troop. We made hearts at this time, but you can make any shape or size your like. We also took round foam balls and made hanging decorations with the material and the cupcake holders. I hope you enjoy this project from Suzie Homemaker.