No one wants to be thought of as cheap on Valentine’s Day, so the idea is to be smart – not cheap – this Valentine’s Day. Can you celebrate lavishly but spend wisely? Of course you can! Here are some tips on how to make Valentine’s Day special – but on a budget.
What is the average cost of Valentine’s Day?
The National Retail Federation expects Valentine’s Day spending in the billions of dollars. Yes, billions with a “B” – and that’s crazy. The average shopper plans to spend nearly $200 on the traditional February 14 holiday.
You can see how it could get very, very expensive. The traditional (maybe) Valentine’s Day date idea could include a bouquet of dozen roses, a greeting card, dinner out at a nice restaurant, perhaps a movie, theater performance, or live show, then maybe dessert or nightcap. A lavish Valentine’s Day experience could even include a limousine or chartered flight and a fancy hotel. And ope! Don’t forget an expensive gift of jewelry.
If those things are very meaningful to you, you can certainly have them. (But I recommend using tip number one, below.) If you don’t need a cookie-cutter Valentine’s Day experience, we have other really sweet and more affordable ideas.
One really important caveat for cheap Valentine’s Day planning: as a couple, you should agree together that meaningful does not necessarily mean expensive. This could go so sideways if one person is expecting something other than a frugal celebration.
Question: Is it more romantic to fund your 401k than to blow the budget on a Hallmark holiday? That’s something you can decide as a couple.
Here are some great ideas to help make sure your Valentine’s Day is both meaningful and affordable:
1. Budget for Valentine’s Day
This is one often overlooked budget-friendly way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, whether you plan to spend $200 or $20. It isn’t rocket science, but it isn’t easy unless you are in the habit of saving up for things. If you aren’t already doing making holidays a line-item in your monthly budget, consider giving it a try. I can guarantee you’ll like guilt-free splurging on special occasions.
2. Save Money on Valentine’s Day Flowers
Florists don’t need to discount flowers for Valentine’s Day; that’s when they’re guaranteed to sell dozens of roses and other flower bouquets. And a dozen roses delivered can easily cost as much as a nice dinner out!
That doesn’t mean you can’t find Valentine’s Day flower deals, because you can. Grocery stores often have less expensive floral arrangements or flowers just in time for the holiday of love. And you can find other common-sense ways to save on Valentine’s Day flowers as well, which we’ve listed below.
Best places to find Valentine’s Day flower deals
Here are some stores that reliably offer deals on Valentine’s Day flowers or floral bouquets. You may be able to get delivery at some stores, but most will be the best deal if you walk in the door and get them yourself.
- Aldi – Just about every year, the Aldi’s weekly ad shows great deals on a variety of flowers, like a 12-stem bouquet of premium cut roses to a sweet six-dollar mixed bouquet to a 10-stem tulip bouquet for around five bucks. Aldi also often sells flowering live plants like orchids.
- Trader Joe’s – They’re known for having excellent flower deals year-round, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. While you’re there, you can pick up a box of eight delightful (frozen) heart-shaped macarons for $5.49 or a package of ten dark chocolate bon-bon cookies for $2.99 this year (2025).
- Lidl – They usually have options for rose or mixed bouquets from ten to twenty dollars the week of Valentine’s Day. While you’re there, look for deals on strawberries and other ingredients for home-cooked Valentine’s Day dinners.
- Costco – Always known for having the best deals on flowers, Costco is a great place to check for your happy hearts day bouquet, but only if you can stand the crowds. You may also be able to find flowers or arrangements other than roses for something a step above the traditional, but not entirely out-of-the-box.
- Sam’s Club – Like Costco and Trader Joe’s, Sam’s Club is known for having excellent bulk deals on flowers. However, you do need to carefully consider the selection, since Sam’s also has some beautiful-but-expensive arrangements as well.
- Wegmans – It’s no secret that Wegmans has an awesome floral department, because it’s usually very noticeable, filled as it is with gorgeous plants and flowers right next to the produce. What might be more of a surprise is that they actually have what they call a really reasonably priced “Value Bouquet” and quite a number of other seasonally appropriate offerings for less than $10.
- Whole Foods – The annual Whole Foods rose deal for Prime members is well-known because it is a genuinely good deal.
- Groupon – You may be able to find a deal from big flower delivery companies but do be sure to check for blackout dates as they may not be willing to honor a 50% off deal for a big flower holiday like Valentine’s Day. It’s still worth checking out if none of the above are good options for you.
Pick a different flower
Red roses may be the traditional Valentine’s Day flower, but it isn’t the only flower that symbolizes love. In fact, it is arguably more romantic to give your love interest her favorite type of flower, no matter what they cost. And you might be able to save money by choosing a less-pricey flower or a bouquet of mixed blooms that are every bit as romantic. Think about heartwarming sunflowers, fresh spring tulips, thoughtful lilies, or large-scale hydrangea, among others.
Gift a single stem
I think they do this on The Bachelorette, and no one suspects it as a way to save money on flowers. Giving a single rose or other flower can be a really romantic gesture. I’m not sure where you can buy a single fresh rose around Valentine’s Day, but if you do, consider this a very worthy money-saving alternative to a dozen roses.
3. DIY everything
Valentine’s Day is one time when it is still more affordable to do-it-yourself than to pay retail. And if you can whip things up quickly, you can save as much as 50% off Valentine’s Day themed products at the local hobby shop one or two weeks before the holiday.
4. Save on Valentine’s Day greeting cards
Greeting cards have gotten prohibitively expensive, but there’s no reason to cheap out by skipping the card entirely. Here are a few easy ways to save money
- DIY greeting cards are fun to make and you can personalize the sentiment.
- As of this writing, Dollar Tree is still a great place to get high-quality, inexpensive cards.
- Buy cards on clearance after Valentine’s Day from major retailers like Target and Walmart and save them until next year.
- Ask nicely and your niece or nephew may share one of their school Valentines with you. For couples where both grew up trading Valentines in grade school, giving a cute pre-made drugstore offering could come off as entirely sweet and romantic – not cheap.
5. Save money on Valentine’s Day dinner
Make Valentine’s Day dinner at home
No matter what menu items grace your Valentine’s Day dinner, they will most certainly be cheaper if you make them at home. And some very fancy options – like steak and lobster – are not really all that difficult to make.
Choose less-pricey entrees
Another way to save on Valentine’s Day dinner is to opt for the classic Lady and the Tramp go-to of spaghetti dinner. Use your nicest dishes, buy new cloth napkins at Home Goods, and make your inexpensive Valentine’s Day flower arrangement the centerpiece of the table or buffet.
Go out for something besides dinner
Who says your Valentine’s Day meal has to be in the evening? Instead of fighting the crowds and feeling pressured to hurry so your server can turn the table, why not have a relaxed, wonderful, and less expensive breakfast, lunch, or dessert instead? You can have a terrific nice-restaurant experience and it will be an adventure.
Go out on different day
You could opt to celebrate Valentine’s Day early and skip the long wait times and hurried atmosphere. You’re also more likely to be able to use a Groupon or find a deal at your favorite place.
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