Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! With all the dinner, card, and gift options available, it is quite possible to blow your budget if you aren’t properly prepared. Whether you’re on a strict budget or tired of wasting money on gifts that will be forgotten about months later, here are some meaningful gifts that will give you the most bang for your buck:

Wine Anyone?
What better way to enjoy some alone time together than having a wine tasting date night. The best part is most wineries and breweries offer discounted tickets or free (yes, FREE) wine tasting events all year long. Check out your local wineries and breweries and see what they have to offer.

Pro tip: It may be difficult to get tickets for Valentine’s day, so try surprising your loved one with a surprise date on or before the holiday.

Home-cooked Meal
Valentine’s Day is one of the most difficult holidays to make dinner reservations for. Many restaurants increase the price menu items and may require you make a reservation weeks, months, or even a year in advance. Skip a crowded restaurant and make your significant other a home-cooked meal.

The two of you can make the night even more memorable by choosing a meal neither one of you have made before and cook the Valentine’s Day meal together.

Get Crafty
Fancy greeting cards are all the rage on Valentine’s Day, but do you really need an overpriced piece of paper to express your love? No. Why not try stopping by your local craft store, gather some supplies, and create a personal card that will touch your loved one’s heart.

Sweet tooth Solutions
A wise man once said, “life is like a box of chocolates -you never know what you’re gonna get”. While this remains true, a box of chocolate is another overpriced item during the Valentine’s Day holiday season. Opt for purchasing the necessary items from your local supermarket and bake a batch of homemade cookies or your significant others favorite dessert.