Inexpensive Valentine’s Gift Ideas For The Budget Minded
It has been a whirlwind start to 2020 and January is already over. That means Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you are like me, you have just realized how quickly it is coming. We should be doing things throughout the year to show our loved ones how much we care. This day, however, is the day we have chosen to single out over others. There are more than likely many of you, like me, who live on a tight budget. This means going all out with grand gestures is not an option. If you are also a procrastinator (cough, cough), then you want to find something quickly. Preferably without spending a fortune on shipping. This does not mean you cannot put together something sweet and meaningful. You can still make your significant other’s Valentine’s Day special. Check out these inexpensive last minute Valentine’s gift ideas.
Love Isn’t Always Pretty…
Every February 14th, people around the world celebrate their love for one another. Common practices include exchanging cards, flowers, candies, and gifts. This day was not always so tame, however. There are a few different origin stories for our modern Valentine’s Day. As with quite a few of our modern traditions, these have roots in the Roman Empire.
From February 13th through the 15th, the Romans celebrated the festival of Lupercalia. The festival would start out with mail participants ritually sacrificing goats and dogs. The female participants, to enhance fertility, would line up to and whipped by the men wielding the pelts of those animals. During the drunken festivities, a lottery occurred. It would match the men and women together as couples until the end of the festival.
Another origin involves the Roman Emperor Claudius II. In the 3rd century, he played a role in the history of the day by martyring two men named Valentine. This occurred on February the 14th, though in different years. The first, Valentine of Rome, was a priest who refused to obey Claudius’ edict. He proclaimed young men, in order to make them better soldiers, could not be married. There was also Valentine of Terni. His murder occurred under similar circumstances. There has been reason to suggest that these may both have been the same man. Despite this, the Catholic Church still lists these two Saints separately.
Love Isn’t Always Pretty…
Every February 14th, people around the world celebrate their love for one another. Common practices include exchanging cards, flowers, candies, and gifts. This day was not always so tame, however. There are a few different origin stories for our modern Valentine’s Day. As with quite a few of our modern traditions, these have roots in the Roman Empire.
From February 13th through the 15th, the Romans celebrated the festival of Lupercalia. The festival would start out with mail participants ritually sacrificing goats and dogs. The female participants, to enhance fertility, would line up to and whipped by the men wielding the pelts of those animals. During the drunken festivities, a lottery occurred. It would match the men and women together as couples until the end of the festival.
Another origin involves the Roman Emperor Claudius II. In the 3rd century, he played a role in the history of the day by martyring two men named Valentine. This occurred on February the 14th, though in different years. The first, Valentine of Rome, was a priest who refused to obey Claudius’ edict. He proclaimed young men, in order to make them better soldiers, could not be married. There was also Valentine of Terni. His murder occurred under similar circumstances. There has been reason to suggest that these may both have been the same man. Despite this, the Catholic Church still lists these two Saints separately.
Modernizing The Day Of Love
There are many modern holidays that have their roots in ancient festivals and Valentine’s Day is no different. In the 5th century the festival of Lupercalia toned down a bit. It found itself wrapped into the fold of the Catholic Church. Pope Gelasius I declared it as Saint Valentine’s Day. This was part of a millennia long effort by the Church to transform old Pagan festivals into Christian celebrations. There are still aspects of the old that carry through to modern times. They have, however, morphed into much more socially acceptable ways.
Another modern concept of Valentine’s Day still has a root in the legend of Valentine of Rome. The story goes like this. While imprisoned by Claudius, he fell in love with the daughter of his jailer. On the day of his execution, wrote her a love letter. This serves as the basis for exchanging Valentines with one other. Through the ages monarchs and Popes romanticized he celebration even further. The likes of Shakespeare and Chaucer intervened leading to what eventually became the traditions we celebrate today.
Modernizing The Day Of Love
There are many modern holidays that have their roots in ancient festivals and Valentine’s Day is no different. In the 5th century the festival of Lupercalia toned down a bit. It found itself wrapped into the fold of the Catholic Church. Pope Gelasius I declared it as Saint Valentine’s Day. This was part of a millennia long effort by the Church to transform old Pagan festivals into Christian celebrations. There are still aspects of the old that carry through to modern times. They have, however, morphed into much more socially acceptable ways.
Another modern concept of Valentine’s Day still has a root in the legend of Valentine of Rome. The story goes like this. While imprisoned by Claudius, he fell in love with the daughter of his jailer. On the day of his execution, wrote her a love letter. This serves as the basis for exchanging Valentines with one other. Through the ages monarchs and Popes romanticized he celebration even further. The likes of Shakespeare and Chaucer intervened leading to what eventually became the traditions we celebrate today.
Inexpensive Gifts For Her
Sure, you may be on a budget. This does not mean you cannot show your loved one how much they mean to you. Find a lovely and special item you can put your own twist. The special lady in your life will appreciate it. Giver her your heart with these inexpensive last minute Valentine’s gift ideas for her.
Inexpensive Gifts For Him
Valentine’s Day is not just for the ladies. Although they may not show it at times, guys need love too. Show him how much you care by giving him something he will love to use all the time. He will appreciate the gesture more than you may realize. Any one of these inexpensive last minute Valentine’s gift ideas for him will make the day great.
Inexpensive Gifts For The Little Ones
For those who have children in their lives, Valentine’s Day can be a special opportunity to show them that you care. Give them something to brag to their friends about when they head off to school. They will love you for it just as much as you will love showing how much you care. Even if they are too cool to show it. Let them rock on with these inexpensive last minute Valentine’s gift ideas for kids.
Inexpensive Gifts For Our Furry Companions
Pet owners all know that we cannot forget our four-legged children on Valentine’s Day. We already show these special creatures love and affection every day. It still warms our hearts to give them something you know they will enjoy on a special day like this. They will flip out over any of these inexpensive last minute Valentine’s gift ideas for pets.
Inexpensive Gifts For The, Um, Funny?
We all know the corny, dad joke prone people. Perhaps you are even one of them? Valentine’s Day is absolutely the perfect time to let your dork flag fly high and proud. Give you significant other one of these hysterical t-shirts. Show them know how special they are to you. Just let the bad jokes fly with these inexpensive last minute hysterical Valentine’s gift ideas.
No Sweat, You’ve Got This!
The year is absolutely flying by quickly this time around. You have not gotten around to planning Valentine’s Day yet. This does not mean you have to give up doing something special. You also do not have to skip out just because you are living on a dime. Hopefully, these ideas have given you someplace to start. You can still show your special someone just how much you care in a way that is uniquely yours. Just remember, it is the thought that counts, though creativity can greatly enhance the effect! I hope these inexpensive last minute Valentine’s gift ideas helped you out.
Since You're Here!