What keeps long-term relationships alive?  Novelty. New experiences. Stepping outside of your typical box. This does not require expensive gifts! Let love and affection lead your celebration of romance this Valentine’s Day.

Some of the ideas below are not rocket science. But I guarantee you probably don’t do them. Why? Because they are stupid-simple. We tend to over-do, over buy, over think Valentine’s Day.

Remember, this day is not about expensive gifts. It’s about thoughtfulness, consideration, love, affection, and attention towards the one you love.

Below you will find 21 ideas on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day without spending lots of money. Remember, meaning and thoughtfulness go much farther than lavish gifts. Here’s what you can do for the one that you love:

21 Ideas On How to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

1. Make breakfast in bed
2. Retell the story of when you first met, highlighting what made them “the one” for you
3. Make a list of all the ways their presence in your life makes your life better and share it with them
4. Begin and end your day with a one minute, heartfelt hug
5. Send a love letter through snail mail
6. Turn on music, grab your partner and dance in your kitchen
7. Frame your favorite picture of them (just your partner, not a couple’s picture) and tell them why you love that one
8. Frame a favorite picture of the two of you
9. Hide little candy hearts in different places so that your partner finds them throughout the day
10. Reminisce about your wedding day and tell your partner the one memory you have of them that you love from that day
11. Give your partner a head to toe massage
12. Make a homemade Valentine’s Day card
13. Try to cook a fancy dinner together
14. Feed your partner a favorite dessert (it’s okay to laugh throughout, in fact, I encourage it)
15. Leave a card on their car windshield so that it greets them in the morning
16. Surprise them with a bubble bath, just for them, with candles and champagne
17. Bake a cake together
18. Make a music playlist (their favorites, romantic songs, pick your theme)
19. Turn off technology for the night or for a weekend, play games instead or turn in early and spend time having pillow talk
20. Send an affectionate text several times that day with kissy face emoji’s and hearts
21. Rent or stream their favorite movie, one you know they can watch over and over again (key: watch it with them!)

As you can see, it doesn’t take much to bring a little fun into your Valentine’s Day. If you can’t swing these things on a weekday, table your celebration for the weekend and tell them how much you look forward to that time together.

Sweet little somethings. Creative. Fun. Easy. Thoughtful. Loving.