Valentine's Day on a Budget!

Ahhh yes the day of "love" is fast approaching - the day of red roses, sweet champagne, luscious chocolates and nonstop romantic gazing, right? WRONG...very wrong. Well, at least for most of us. Being military spouses, we typically don't have the luxury of splurging on Valentine's Day festivities and gifts OR we aren't able to spend the day with our significant others due to night shifts, deployments, etc. In response to this, I've compiled a list of budget-friendly V-Day ideas to appeal to both those who are with and without their loves this Valentine's Day.

V-Day Ideas that work if your love is deployed OR at home:


1) Boudoir Photo Shoot (oooo la la!)

I don't know a single guy that wouldn't love some sexy photos of his lady. Boudoir pictures make the perfect present for you love if he is home or away. Taking boudoir pictures is a fun experience (even if you are a bit nervous at first, you will relax once the camera starts snapping away) and you can really get creative with them. You can do a military-themed boudoir photo shoot like the picture below (I took this for a military spouse who wanted to give these pictures to her husband as a going-away present); you can take pictures in his favorite team's jersey or t-shirt, or any outfits that he loves you in. You can be as conservative or crazy as you'd like to be! Also, if you use a photographer that caters to military families, their rates can be much lower. Be sure to check out Groupon and LivingSocial for photography discounts as well.

2) Put together a "Love Box"

Create a Love Box with all your man's favorite things. Consider including some of his favorite candies or sweets, a movie or book he's been wanting, a picture of you, a cute pair of boxers or briefs (whichever he prefers) and a sexy note. This gift works great if your love is deployed or at home with you - and it's totally affordable! It's an awesome way to show him how much thought and time you put into his present...

3) Get crafty and create "52 Reasons I Love You" on playing cards

This an awesome and creative way to express your love! PaperVine gives a step-by-step tutorial on how to turn playing cards into 52 ways to express your love! Check out the directions here: PaperVine "52 Reasons I Love You" tutorial

4) Make a Map O' Love!

I absolutely adore this idea and I think it so perfect for military families. The blog, "How Does She?" gives a complete tutorial on how to create this Map O' Love. Basically you cut out states/countries of places that are important to you and your love (i.e. where you first met, got engaged, married, honeymooned, ate amazing pasta, etc.) and you place a little heart in the general area it took place. You put the state or country with the heart on a page in a journal and give the page a title, "Where We Met."And being in the military, our journals will be thick with the many places we've traveled! Here is the tutorial: Map O' Love.

5) Make a CD of all your favorite songs

Put a CD together that includes special songs that mean something to the both of you. Then, include a note on when and where you were when the song came on/why it's special to you.

V-Day Ideas if you can celebrate in-person with your love:


1) Do an appetizer or dessert picnic at sunset on the beach

Grab a few towels or a big blanket, some munchies, a favorite beverage (if you're allowed wine/beer/champagne would be best!), a laptop for some music and you're good to go. Sit back, relax and enjoy the view!

2) Make a fancy dinner/dessert at home

Have some fun with this one. Pick out a few of his most favorite things to eat and start cooking! Even if he loves hamburgers and pizza, there are plenty of ways to "jazz" up this dinner. Set the table up nicely and bring out your best plates, glasses and silverware. Light some candles, pour a couple glasses of wine, play music and enjoy a 3-course fancy meal at home!

3) Setup a massage "station."

Light the fireplace (if you have one - if not, candles will work just as good), spread out a few pillows with blankets or towels on top, play soothing tunes and have the massage oil handy!

4) Celebrate in the morning!

If your loved one is on night shifts, do something special in the morning or afternoon - Valentine's Day isn't just reserved for evening celebrations! Think about surprising him with some heart-shaped pancakes or waffles, bacon and eggs...better yet, bring him breakfast in bed! Then spend some time doing your favorite activity together - go on a hike or bike ride, hit up the beach or just take a few hours to relax and cuddle in bed.

Cute V-Day themed breakfast-in-bed

5) Start a "Our Dream Trip" fund

Instead of buying each other expensive presents or going out to a nice dinner, put a hundred or so dollars in your savings to go toward a "dream  trip" you've both been wanting to take. You can repeat this tradition for every holiday or special day until you have enough money saved up to go on your dream trip. Putting your money toward a vacation is much more memorable than a steak and lobster dinner : )

Wishing you all a very Happy and Affordable V-day! xoxo!