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Valentines Day on a Budget

Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays that can easily turn into a budget-buster, but it doesn’t have to. Learn ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your family and friends without spending a lot. You’ll find all of our Valentines Day on a Budget posts here on this page.

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Red heart-shaped box with red ribbon | how to celebrate Valentine's Day on a budget

What’s the history of Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day, celebrated every February 14th, is an annual holiday dedicated to all kinds of love. On this particular day, we express our love to our romantic partners and our friends and family members. Countries and cultures worldwide have their own practices for this romantic event. Giving away flowers and chocolates is probably the most popular tradition each February.

No one really knows for sure how this special celebration came to be. There are several theories. One of them involves the two men Roman emperor Claudius II martyred on February 14. They were both named Valentine. One of them was St. Valentine of Terni, a clergyman who officiated secret unions back in the day when the emperor banned marriages to push more men to join the army. 

St. Valentine thus earned a reputation as a figure of love and romance. And in 496 AD, it was made official. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as the feast day of St. Valentine. 

Favorite Resources for Valentine’s Day

25 Valentine’s Day gifts under $10

Valentine’s Day cards from LovePop

Valentine’s Day supplies and decorations at DollarTree.com

Valentine sweaters from Fun.com

Red hearts ribbon and flower petals on pink background

Valentines Day Food Ideas

Baking and making treats for Valentine’s Day is another fun activity for families to do together. You can enjoy them at home, or bring them to a Valentine’s Day party. Making your own treats is a smart way to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a budget.

Heart Rice Krispie treats

Valentine breakfast ideas

Valentine snack ideas

Valentine strawberry dip

50 Valentine cookies for kids

20+ Valentine Rice Krispie treat recipes

Valentine heart cookies

Valentine cake mix cookies

Mice Krispies treats

Valentine raspberry meltaway cookies

Meringue cookies

M&M cake mix cookie bars

Valentine sweets with 5 ingredients or less

Healthy Valentine food for kids

Handwritten Happy Valentines Day card on red sparkly background - family valentines day fun

Valentines Day Decorating Ideas

Of course, you can buy Valentine decorations at a store. But it can be fun (and surprisingly easy) to make them yourself! I have many holiday decorations that I bring out year after year; they last a long time, and they inexpensive to begin with. I appreciate that value.

Many of these Valentine crafts and decor would also make a lovely gift for a teacher, Grandma or friend. Most use supplies from the Dollar Tree, so they don’t cost much to make at all.

Dollar Tree Valentine candle craft

5-minute Valentine garland

Valentine Deco Mesh wreath

Puzzle piece Valentine heart wreath

Valentine decor crafts under $10

Dollar Tree Valentines decorations

Dollar Tree Valentine wreath ideas

Black and white calendar with red heart over Feb 14 for Valentines Day

Printable Valentines and Cards

Some families prefer to buy Valentines, while others like to make them. Writing classmates’ names on Valentine cards is a great way for kids of all ages to practice writing. Plus, it helps them learn their friends’ names and how to spell them correctly.

If you plan to use these free printables to create Valentines at home, be sure to consider using HP Instant Ink. That’s how I save so much money on printer ink–even color ink! Use my referral link to get one free month, and so will I (thanks).

Friend Valentine gift tags

35+ Frugal and free printable Valentines for kids

Minecraft printable Valentines

Washi tape bubble Valentines

Family Valentine Fun Activities

Free printable Valentine coloring pages