EXPENSIVE EVENING
Valentine's Day could be costly, especially if celebrated on the holiday
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), for Valentine's Day Americans will spend nearly $21 billion this year, or about $162 per person. What are some pays to show love without spending a ton of money?
A: Absolutely.The NRF says one-third of couples are planning to spend money on an evening out. In addition to being overly crowded on Valentine's Day, some restaurants will increase their prices for the “special evening” menu. If you absolutely must go out, consider only going out for a couple of glasses of wine and some appetizers, or goto dinner another evening with an added bonus: no crowds. The costs of traditional gifts like chocolates and roses double or even triple right before Valentine's Day. One of my favorite ideas is to tell your loved one you are celebrating all week and do something inexpensive but thoughtful every night like cook a romantic, candlelit dinner at home, give a relaxing massage, create a special playlist or create a home-spa evening. You can pick up the roses and chocolates the day after Valentine's Day when they're marked down.
Kids often want to get in on the fun, too. How can families celebrate on a budget?
Cards are often the most-purchased item and these, too, can jump up in price right before a holiday. Have your kids pull out the craft supplies and make their own cards. There are also sites where kids can design their own cards on a computer and print them out. Give them some crayons and — if they're old enough and you trust them — some glitter, and they can make their own one-of-a-kind creations that parents will cherish.
There are lots of people who are happily un-coupled who still like to celebrate with friends or family. What suggestions do you have for them?
Friends generally have a good time no matter what they do, so they could do the same things, just with a Valentine's Day or Anti-Valentine's Day theme. Have a potluck dinner and give a prize for the most creatively named dish. Host a movie night with films that happily celebrate the virtues of being single or that highlight all of the pitfalls that come with being in a relationship. Have a game night that pits guys against gals. I think the real point of the holiday is to make the loved ones in your life feel special, and you never should have to go into debt to do that. Amy Welch is the vice president of communications for the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants.