Want to Celebrate Valentine’s Day, but you’re quarantined and on a budget? Here are 12 inexpensive ways to celebrate this day of love, while staying safe and without breaking hearts (or your bank account)!

February 14^th, otherwise known as Valentine’s Day, a day I view as every commercial business’ dream, and poor consumer’s nightmare. Okay, I must admit, I have never been into all that Valentine’s Day throws out at us: flowers, chocolates, cards, going out to eat, the whole shebang. Not that these things aren’t nice or enjoyable, it’s just that they are extremely overpriced around this day. I know, I sound like the Grinch of  V-Day… but spending money on all these things when the prices are higher doesn’t put me in that lovey-dovey mood. Fortunately, I have come up with fun ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day  at home that won’t break the bank  while keeping everyone safe and happy!

1. Make a fun Valentine’s Day breakfast complete with heart-shaped pancakes!

Whether you use pre-made mix or make them from scratch, just grab your heart-shaped cookie cutters or just pour the batter into the shape of a heart on the griddle 🙂 Either way, this will sure to start everyone’s Valentine’s Day with a smile 🙂

Want to kick it up a notch? Try these (pictured above)…Delicious!

2. Make a Valentine-themed lunch for your loved ones

Want to give your kids (or even your spouse) a Valentine’s Day lunch they won’t forget?  Continue the heart-shaped theme for lunch and check out POPSUGAR’S Valentine’s Day Lunch Ideas For Kids.

3. Pick a fun recipe and cook dinner together

This is a tradition in the Stewart household! We always love to try a new dish and cook together on Valentine’s Day.  We have so much fun and enjoy being all cozied up at home.  I found one of the recipes I think we will be trying here, and yes that delicious image above is one of them 🙂 Bon Appetit!

4. Create your own delicious Valentine’s Day treats/ desserts 

Pick one of your favorite desserts to make, or try something new! No Valentine’s Day would be complete without some sweets! How divine do those chocolate strawberries look?!? For the recipe as well as other great V-Day sweets visit Allrecipes: Valentine’s Day Dessert Recipes.

5. Make cards/ homemade Valentine’s

Who needs to spend money on store-bought cards when you can create awesome, from-the-heart homemade Valentine’s for your spouse (and for the kids to give their friends)?! I found some great ones on Buzzfeed (two of them are pictured above).

6. Show your love for your family by doing housework or a chore (ahem, husbands I am mostly  talking to you…it’s sexier than you think!)

Photo Cred: High Heels in the Wilderness…Desi does housework I Love Lucy!

Surprise your kids with their chores already done when they are done with  school, or take over your husbands chores before he gets home from work.  Better yet, have your husband and kids read this article and have them do all  the chores for YOU!

7. Watch rom-coms or a movie of everyone’s choice at home 

Snuggle up with a fun family movie, then once the kiddos are in bed, cuddle up with your honey and watch a romantic one. Need some help picking one out? Check out Better Homes and Gardens: Top Romantic Movies for Valentine’s Day ( yes, An Affair to Remember is one of them, and if you have not seen it…I highly recommend it…it’s one of my faves!)

8. Do your own wine tasting

This isn’t just a Valentine’s Day tradition, but a weekly Friday tradition in my house. We usually pick a different wine that’s $15 or less and…Cheers! If you love wine like we do, this would be a fun way to try a new wine and enjoy Valentine’s Day together!  If you want to get the kids involved, grab a bottle of sparkling grape juice and have a family “wine “tasting.  Need some help picking out wine? Check out Food & Wine’s list of 150 Best under $15.

9. Put together a V-Day scavenger hunt for the kids – or a fun one for your spouse

I will for sure have to try one of these 14 Ways to go on a Valentine Scavenger Hunt  with my kids, they will really enjoy it, and bonus…some of them incorporate learning (genius!)

As for when the kids go to bed… I came across Valentine’s Day Treasure Hunt Clues For Your Husband, who said scavenger hunts were only for kids 😉  Don’t worry, it’s PG-rated!

10. Celebrate the weekend after

Why pay full price for everything, when you can reschedule Valentine’s Day for the following weekend…when everything will be marked down and prices won’t be inflated?! Not only will you save money, but you can enjoy the night more because it will be a weekend night! Win Win!!

11. Play board games or create Valentine-themed games

Play your favorite board games. Or play some games that have a Valentine’s Day twist to them! What about  Valentine’s Day themed Pictionary, or Valentines Day Telephone…be creative! Need some ideas? Here are  8 Family Fun Games for Valentine’s Day. Want Valentine’s Day themed games for the more adult crowd? Check out these Fun Adult Valentine’s Day Party Games. Have Fun!

12. Have a picnic 

Not wanting to cook a whole meal? Pick a few snacks, cheese and crackers, chips and dip, pigs in a blanket and have a picnic indoors  (or if you are lucky enough to have nice weather, do it outside). It’s fun, out of the norm, and the kids will be sure to get a kick out of it!

Ok so it doesn’t have to be as fancy as the image above… but if you are that creative, have at it girlfriend!

So there we have it, 12 fun, yet inexpensive things to do on Valentine’s Day that will be sure to please your kids and your spouse! Happy Valentine’s Day!  What are your favorite inexpensive  Valentine’s Day ideas? We would love to know! Please comment and share!