It’s Valentine’s Day again? Yikes. It’s no secret that we’re all struggling on the finances this year. Even if you don’t live paycheck to paycheck, there are still adjustments you’ve had to make since the start of January. Inflation rates. Higher gas and energy bills. Insurance rates rising. Financial aid payments kicking back in. Eggs any other groceries at unprecedented prices. It’s a lot.
But just because your wallet is a little emptier doesn’t mean you have to skimp on Valentine’s Day. I mean, we are Las Vegas after all. There’s a ton of stuff for us to do that doesn’t cost the typical arm and leg. Yes, there are plenty that DO cost that much, if you’re so inclined. If you’re like most of us, you might need to get a little creative on your spending this Valentine’s Day.
But what if your guy or gal is expecting jewelry for Valentine’s Day? You can’t really skimp on that and get away with it. Or can you? According to a poll by YouGov, only 16% of women want jewelry for Valentine’s Day. And there are lots of options on places like Etsy where you can get a less expensive piece of jewelry that’s more valuable with things like personalized messages or photos.
So what ranked higher than jewelry? Cards, flowers, chocolates and nice dinners out were all high on the list of desirable Valentine’s Day gifts. Even homemade meals and baked goods (and sex stuff) ranked higher than jewelry. That gives you lots of options for this year’s gift giving. And it seems the jewelry thing is pretty low on all women’s (and men’s) lists, regardless of age.
So in the year of ever-rising prices, we’ll be okay. We just need to spend more thought (and less money) on this year’s holiday. And this list is a good way to get those creative gears turning. Some of these ideas are Vegas-specific. But others can be done wherever you live. – Wendy Rush
Ethel M's Cactus Garden 'Lights Of Love'
From February 3rd through the 14th, Ethel M’s Cactus Garden in Henderson will be lit up with red, pink, purple and white lights. An amazing backdrop for a Valentine’s Day photo or two. The cost is just a $1 donation that goes to benefit our local non-profit organizations. If you want to throw some extra cash down on chocolates as well, they have lots of options for that as well. Open every night until 10pm.
Total Cost: $1 Per Person (a bit more if you’re buying chocolates)
If you’re not in Las Vegas, a romantic walk through any park with nice scenery is a lovely way to spend Valentine’s Day. And you can bring the chocolates with you!
Personal Massage
Putting a little thought into a massage at home can go a long way. Make sure the sheets are clean. Watch a YouTube video like this one about massage techniques. Grab some candles and oils and you’re good to go. There are even massage stones or massage guns you can get at a low price to make it more effective.
Cost: Massage Gun – $40, Candles: $5 each, Massage Oil – $10
Total Cost: $55 – $75
Trip To Adult Store
There are many adult stores in Las Vegas. Lion’s Den, The Love Store, Deja Vu Love Boutique. Take your pick. You can wrap a gift card for your special someone and go with them to the store to use it. The shopping is fun foreplay and you’ll both be excited to get home and play. You can spend a little or a lot. It’s up to you.
Total Cost: $25 and Up
If you’re not in Vegas, you might not have as many adult stores to choose from, but trust me. There’s one somewhere near you. Or you can shop online and anticipate the delivery for another day.
Romantic Picnic
For the cost of some takeout and a blanket you already have at home, you could get pretty romantic on Valentine’s Day. Do it in your backyard or drive to some remote location around Vegas (Red Rock, Mount Charleston, Lake Las Vegas, to name a few). If you have the means to build a fire or bring candles, even better.
Cost: $20 – $50
Dinner & A Movie At Home
Las Vegas is a huge night for Valentine’s Day. And not only will you pay a lot to go out to dinner, but you’re going to have to fight some pretty big crowds. So why not do dinner at home? You can order in, make your own meal, or grab takeout. It doesn’t have to break the bank. And you already have those streaming services, so the movie is free.
Cost: $25 – $60
Romantic Ride On The High Roller
This one is obviously just for those of us in Las Vegas on Valentine’s Day. The famous High Roller ride is 30 minutes of breathtaking views up to 550 feet off the ground. But get ready for some crowds cause this one is a popular V-day pick.
Cost: $23.50 per person.
Have A Sexy Game Night
Who doesn’t love game night? If you want to keep it G-rated, you can just dust off some old board games and make an evening of it. If you want to get a little more romantic with it, try love dice, sex cards, or blindfold your partner and have them guess different items. The sky is the limit. And you can make it really fun with Valentine’s themed treats like candy or pink popcorn.
Cost: $0 – 25
Thrift Store Challenge
I love this one! Preset a budget and split it in half. If you want to spend only $40 for Valentine’s Day, each person gets $20. Then you have to put together the best Valentine’s Day gift for your partner with your money. And we have a ton of thrift stores here. Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers, and lots of independent ones as well. This is also fun at the dollar store.
Cost: As much as you want to spend.
If you’re not in Vegas, find a thrift or dollar store near you and have fun!
Bellagio Fountains
If you plan to be near the Las Vegas Strip on Valentine’s Day, this is a free way to do something romantic. Water shows run every 15 – 30 minutes, depending on the day and time of day.
Cost: FREE
Make A Dollar Store Basket
This is how I do Valentine’s Day for my little one every year. Cause they’re all about baskets full of goodies. And it’s easy to do at the dollar store. We have a ton of them in Las Vegas so you’re sure to find one near you. You’d seriously be surprised at what you can find at the dollar store. They even have balloons!
Cost: $5 – 25
Make Cookies Together At Home
We all know getting a man’s heart is through his stomach. And women really like quality time. This accomplishes both. Get in the kitchen and make some Valentine’s Day cookies together. Or you can splurge on a full meal. If you’re feeling really cutesy, pick up some matching aprons for epic photo ops.
Cost: $10 (for cookie dough and icings) – $50 (if you’re getting matching aprons or making a full meal)
Eiffel Tower At The Paris Hotel
Climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower at The Paris Hotel in Las Vegas gives you awesome views of the strip. It’s free to go up there. And they do a light show every half hour from sunset to midnight.
Cost: FREE
Do A Personalized Puzzle Together
This one is super cute but requires some planning ahead. Photo gift sites like Shutterfly will make a jigsaw puzzle out of your personal photo. Amazon and Wal-Mart do it too. So if your sweetheart is a puzzle guy or gal, this is a fun way to spend Valentine’s Day. Throw in some popcorn and other snacks to make it extra special.
Cost: $10 – 45 per puzzle (depending on size)
Heart-Shaped Breakfast in Bed
For the cost of breakfast and a heart-shaped cookie cutter, you can make the sweetest gift for Valentine’s Day. Pancakes, eggs and even sausage (when bought raw) can be shaped into these cutters.
Cost: $10 – $40 (depending on toppings and what you already have in the house)