Just because you’re crazy in love does not mean you have to go crazy with the shopping. Valentine’s gifts need to be heartfelt, not expensive. For a budget of $50, you can find plenty of thoughtful or romantic gifts for him or her. Here are our favorite Valentine’s Day gifts for under $50 that will put a smile on your Valentine’s face without leaving a huge dent in your wallet.
Valentine’s Day gifts for her
Flowers and candy
It seems so cliché, but there’s a reason people still buy flowers and candy for Valentine’s Day. It’s because most women like flowers and candy, and you can find nice options under $50.
Before you go shopping, check out Living on the Cheap’s Daily Deals page (and also your local Living on the Cheap site) for discounts from 1800Flowers, Teleflora, etc. National flower delivery sites often run deals just before Valentine’s Day that can save you up to 50 percent. You can save money if you buy the flowers from a florist or store and deliver them yourself.
If your darling is a chocoholic, you can do better than picking up a heart-shaped box of no-name chocolates from the supermarket. For $50, you can find all kinds of artisanal chocolates or interesting flavors. You’ll save if you hit up the chocolate aisle of Whole Foods or a gourmet grocer, or a local chocolatier. Shipping costs on chocolate can be high, and if your sweetheart lives in a warm climate, you run the risk of the chocolate melting in transit.
Spa certificates
A word of caution on the spa certificates. Don’t buy one unless you know your Valentine well enough to be sure she’ll use it. Not all women are comfortable going to the spa. Spa deals can be found year-round on your Groupon page, and they’re even more popular around Valentine’s Day. Depending on where you live, $50 might not go so far at a spa, so any discounts you can get will buy more relaxation for your sweetheart. (If you’re interested, we have a few more tips for how to save at spas.)
The deals change day-to-day, but you can often find really good ones. Although it’s OK to buy Valentine’s Day gifts from daily deal sites, your Valentine doesn’t need to know you got a discount. Call the spa before you buy and ask if you can trade in the discount certificate for an actual spa gift certificate. The spa certificate will be much more impressive.
Still too much? Give her a bottle of nail polish and a handmade gift certificate for a DIY pedicure … done by you! You might not get spa results, but it can be a sweet, possibly silly, bonding experience for the two of you.
Jewelry
Jewelry gifts don’t always have to be the platinum-and-diamond gift. Spend a few minutes on Etsy or at a crafts fair, and you can find unique Valentine’s Day gift for under $50. If your special lady has pierced ears, artisan-made earrings are an affordable gift she can wear to work or a night out. Or buy a pendant that she can wear on a chain she already owns.
If you are looking to pop the question, we can’t help you with a $50 budget, but we can show you how to save money with a vintage diamond ring.
Photos on canvas
Find a photo you love of you and your sweetie and have it made into a canvas print. You can upload your photo and order at a variety of online photo printers or photo centers at supermarkets, warehouse stores and pharmacies. Prices start around $20 for an 11 x 14 canvas, and definitely check online for coupons and discounts.
Valentine’s Day gifts for him
Movie night
Pick up a copy of his favorite movie or get a gift card for a streaming site or digital purchase, and wrap it with some theater-style popcorn and his favorite movie candies. You can add some hot cocoa, a six-pack of beer or an inexpensive bottle of wine depending on the mood you want to set.
Beer-making kit
What guy doesn’t like beer? OK, I’m sure some of them don’t, but I’m guessing they’re in the minority. In any case, making beer seems like a good guy project, so I’m adding the beer-making kit to my list. You can buy one for as little as $49.95 from HomeBrewers Outpost or look for home brewing kits at Amazon, where you’ll likely be able to get free shipping.
Shaving kit
Facial care isn’t just for the ladies these days! A shaving kit can be a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift under $50, especially if you love to kiss a clean-shaven face. You can find lovely straight razor shaving kits for men or manly scented lotion or aftershave.
Food gifts
Pick up a nice basket ($5-$10 at Walmart or a thrift shop) and fill it with your Valentine’s favorite sweet treats. Bake his favorite cookies and decorate them with pink frosting, sprinkles or Valentine’s Day M&Ms.
Buy a pound of his favorite Starbucks coffee and add a nice mug, some shortbread cookies, flavored stirrers and foil-wrapped chocolate hearts.
What ideas do you have for cheap Valentine’s Day Gifts? Share your comments below.
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