According to Bankrate, Americans will spend $190.82 on Valentine’s Day in 2023. You can celebrate love without spending an arm and a leg.
Here's six last-minute ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a budget.
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1. Make Sugar Cookies
Instead of buying overpriced flowers or candy, try making Valentine’s Day sugar cookies and decorating with icing. This is a fun activity and it’s low cost. You can whip up cookies up with ingredients you probably even already have at home.
Try this sugar cookie recipe:
Sift together:
3.5 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt
3.5 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt
Cream:
1 cup butter (two sticks!) and 1.5 cups sugar
1 cup butter (two sticks!) and 1.5 cups sugar
Add:
2 eggs and 1/5 teaspoon vanilla.
2 eggs and 1/5 teaspoon vanilla.
Add dry ingredients slowly. Roll into balls with sugar.
Bake at 400 for 6-8 minutes. Press your thumb into to cookie. Let cool completely and then ice with this buttercream frosting from Two Sisters Crafting. Make them for yourself, bring to the office for the day, or give to your partner.
2. Steak Dinner at Home
Valentine’s Day is a great excuse for a nice steak dinner. You can make a steak dinner at home for a fraction of the cost you’d pay at restaurant. I recently bought steak for $8.99 a pound!
Grilling a steak at home can be intimidating. The Pioneer Woman breaks down a simple step-by-step process to grill a steak (even without a grill). I tried her recipe out and modified it by merging the instructions with Allrecipe’s instructions.
Here’s how I made a steak in my RV (without a grill):
- Remove steak from fridge to reach room temperature
- Pat down to dry then add salt, pepper, and two teaspoons of olive oil
- Leave out for about 30 minutes
- Turn griddle or stove to medium or medium high
- Place steak on griddle or pan for 3 minutes 45 seconds
- Flip for same time on the other side
Enjoy with your favorite sides. I made a baked potato and asparagus.
3. DIY Valentine’s Nails
For a little self-care and fun, paint your nails for Valentine’s Day. Southern Living estimated gel nails can cost $840 a year to maintain.
Instead of going to get your nails consider buying a starter Gel Nail kit. I added this on my gift wish list last year for Christmas. The sets comes with the UV Led lamp, files, and polish and costs around $32 total (or about the cost of one manicure at a nail shop). This kit will last about a year too!
4. Chocolate Covered Strawberries
If you have a sweet tooth, another low-cost way to celebrate is to make your own chocolate covered strawberries. This is a fun activity you can do with your partner or for yourself. This costs around $5 when you make on your own versus $30-$50 from a bakery.
Here’s a simple recipe:
- Clean strawberries in 3 cups cold water and 1 cup vinegar for 20 minutes
- Rinse with cold water and let dry completely
- Bring water to a boil and create a “double boiler” with a bowl on top
- Add milk chocolate chips (around 16 ounces) and two tablespoons of shortening
- Add a toothpick into strawberries, dip, and place on wax paper to dry
5. S’mores
For a fun experience and sweets spend an evening outside around a fire pit to roast smore’s. Pick up some graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows. Roast and enjoy the experience, plus yummy treat.
6. Cosmo
Valentine’s day isn’t complete without a good martini. Try making Carrie Bradshaw’s drink of choice: a cosmopolitan.
Here’s a simple recipe you can batch make four drinks:
Mix together:
- 1 cup vodka
- ½ cup triple sec
- ½ cup cranberry juice
- ¼ cup lime juice
Happy Valentine’s Day! Whether you’re single or in a relationship I hope you feel love and celebrate.
