9 Ways to Say 'I Love You' Without Breaking the Bank This Valentines Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and the pressure to deliver your sweetheart a gift or experience that says, "I love you.", is on. Don't think you need to spend hundreds of dollars to show how much you care. There are plenty of ways to treat your honey without spending much money -- or any money at all.

1. Help Out in Unexpected Ways Forget chocolates and material presents. Nothing says "I love you" like taking care of a task or chore your significant other hates to do. It may not sound fancy or glamorous, but c'mon, think about it: How happy would you be if you came home to all the laundry done, the dishes put away, the carpets vacuumed, dog taken care of AND dinner on the table? Not only do you get to sit right down and enjoy quality time with your partner, but you won't have to worry about chores for the rest of the weekend. WIN!

2. Homemade Treats

Food is going to be a big part of Valentine’s Day for many people that celebrate. Some people will eat out for the big day, but others will want to try out special recipes that are a little fancier or more ambitious than usual.

Pillsbury goes all out for Valentine’s Day recipe content with suggestions for sweet recipes, savory recipes, recipes for different times of day, and tips on how to make the food you cook look the part for Valentine’s Day.

3. Plan a Romantic Dinner Who has time for breakfast in bed? Even weekend mornings can get busy, so while it's a nice idea, there's rarely a chance to execute. Plan ahead and block off a period of time -- either on Valentine's Day or the weekend after -- to get up early, prepare the food, and treat your love to a special meal.

If a romantic dinner is more your style, consider picking up some seasonal produce from the grocery store along with an inexpensive bottle of wine. This is a perfect way to have a great meal on the cheap.

4. Is Your Sweetheart More Traditional?

If your partner prefers the conventional Valentine's Day experience, you can't go wrong with beautiful flowers and a handwritten love note. Don't worry about splurging on a dozen roses. You can pick up a bouquet from your local grocer for around $10 to $12, and seasonal flowers can help maximize the savings. And all it takes is a few minutes to write out a heartfelt letter to go with it.

5. Have a Love-Themed Movie Night

A movie night at home doesn't have to be boring -- just throw in some romance. Create a movie gift basket for your loved one: Start with a movie you've both been dying to see, add a bottle of his or her favorite (inexpensive) wine or a comfy throw -- Target has some nice fleece blankets for about $10 -- and a small box of chocolate candy or, even better, a homemade treat. Don't forget a sweet note that says how much you care.

6. “What I love About You” Book This is a sweet idea. Just like a little box of pieces of paper that list all the reasons you love someone, there is a book that actually prompts you to fill in the answers. It’s a very small book and there are about 50 prompts (i.e., “I love how you BLANK every day;” “I love to watch you BLANK,” etc.). You can make this book funny, serious and romantic, or whatever reflects your relationship: What I love About You [$9.90]

7. Whiskey Stones Does your partner like a stiff drink? Well don’t let ice cubes water down their drink! Get them whiskey stones for Valentine’s Day, perhaps along with their favorite bottle. Whiskey stones are stored in the freezer so they are nice and cold by the time you’re ready for a drink. These sets are relatively cheap, maybe try this one: Whiskey Stone Gift Set [$7.95]

8. Take a Dance Class How often do you take your honey out dancing? Or maybe it’s your husband who’s more likely to hit the dance floor? Either way, surprising your partner with a Tango, Salsa, Hip Hop, Bachata, etc. class will be a blast! Check Groupon or local dance studios, most offer low-cost (or even free) single two-hour classes. This is a great opportunity to learn something new together.

9. Become a “Local Tourist” Discover your city. Spend the day visiting local landmarks and museums. As far as cheap Valentine’s Day ideas go, this one can be very inexpensive if you avoid tourist traps and focus on learning about your city.

- S