Hoping to make it an extra-special Valentine's Day for your loved one, and getting tired of doing the same old thing every year? Or are you on the lookout for the
best Valentines ideas for 2011 that will also help you save money? Whether you're looking for romantic Valentines gifts for her, or for fun, creative Valentines gifts for him, this top 10 list will help you plan the perfect V-Day, without breaking the bank!
Tip #1: Think about your Valentine's favorite topics.
Pay attention to the activities they always mention or try to get you to join them in. Does your loved one's idea of a good time involve playing video games, or do you find they're always offering to help you optimize your computer? Then electronics are probably a good bet, or an online gift card to the gadget store of his/her choice. Or if they're the artsy, creative type, a digital SLR camera would likely be the ideal toy for them.
Tip #2: Make a home-cooked meal.
There's nothing sweeter than breakfast in bed or a home-cooked dinner by candlelight, and it's more cost-effective than dining at a fancy restaurant! Get a fondue set or brew up a latte or cappuccino with an espresso machine for a unique finishing touch. If you need a little help whipping up your meal, buy a prepaid gift card for a gourmet food gift store and add a delicious precooked dish to your feast!
Tip #3: Stay fresh - avoid overpriced roses.
Not only are flowers such a clichéd Valentines gift, they don't last very long and are pricey to boot! For a more practical and affordable alternative, buy your lady love some garden tools and accessories instead.
Tip #4: Consider celebrating Valentine's Day on another date.
The restaurants are usually packed and may even be more expensive on Valentine's Day, so if you need to save money or don't want to wait for hours for a table, try having your Valentine's date before or after February 14th.
Tip #5: Set the mood for romance – at home!
Staying in doesn't have to mean a boring Valentines Day! Create the right atmosphere with great music, the DVD of that romantic movie you watched on your first date and still love, a glass of your favorite wine, and just relax.
Tip #6: Be sweet for a Valentines with the kids.
Make it a fun – and healthier! – Valentines for kids by making sweet treats like cupcakes or cookies together. You'll avoid candy overload and it's a great activity for the whole family to enjoy! Check out stores like Sears.com and Kmart.com for the bakeware you'll need to create your yummy Valentines.
Tip #7: Long-distance love? Try email gift cards.
Even if your loved one is far away, it's easy to show you care with the great selection at the WU Pay gift card mall! You'll never have to worry about being late with your Valentine's gift as it's delivered by email, and it's always the perfect gift! Don't forget to personalize your gift card with a heartfelt message of love to make it extra special, and look out for the special offers and cash back rewards on our gift cards for terrific savings.
Tip #8: Take a trip down memory lane.
Whether you're celebrating a long relationship or one that's still in the very early stages, you can add a unique spin to even the most practical gift by incorporating your shared memories into a gift - create a slideshow of fun photos of the two of you for that digital photo frame you're giving your Valentine, upload songs with special significance to your iPod gift, or get a digital copy of the cookbook you use to cook those meals your sweetie is always raving about and put it on a new e-book reader!
Tip #9: Get the best deals by shopping online.
It doesn't make it more thoughtful just because you paid full price for it! So do your homework and compare prices to make sure you're getting the best value on your Valentines gift. (And with the money you save, you could even add on another present for your loved one to enjoy!)
Tip #10: Debt isn't romantic!
There's no faster way to kill the romance of a Valentine's date than by having your credit card declined when you're getting the check. So don't pile on the credit card debt - pay in cash as much as possible, and control your finances better when shopping online by using a secure payment service like WU Pay, which allows you to pay with your own bank, online.
These
romantic ideas are just a few tips to start you off - check out our Valentines 2011 page for more, and have a Happy Valentines Day!
Shop with WU® Pay and save money on gift ideas for Christmas, Mother’s Day, back to school, and more. WU Pay allows you to shop online without a credit card. Simply pay using your bank’s online bill pay service, or at a Western Union® agent location.
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