In early January, I noticed that reds, whites, and pinks began to fill store aisles. As I passed by a couple, I heard one of them sigh behind me. 

Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love, but for many couples, it can be a time of great stress, both mentally and financially. Especially in long-term relationships, a shortage of novel gift ideas combined with the holiday falling after Christmas leads to a lack of preparation for the big day. So, to combat this issue, here are some affordable Valentine’s gift ideas that are sure to please just about anyone.

Overall, the best gifts are flowers and chocolates. What makes these such great gifts is that they are inexpensive yet still customizable. Pairing someone’s favorite flowers with their favorite chocolates is a great way to show they are appreciated while displaying thoughtfulness behind the gift. 

A couple of other easy ideas include stuffed animals, Legos, keychains, candles, blankets, drinks, snacks, self-care items, and gift cards. For these kinds of items, grocery stores offer a variety at the best price points. 

The most popular place to go is Target. Target has it all, and its stores are appealing and well-organized. It also has a bunch of different basket options. It may not be obvious what a basket accomplishes in this situation, but it is an essential part of the Valentine’s gift. Lately, baskets have become the best way to spice up a present. A great way to arrange a basket is to lay tissue paper at the bottom, then have the gifts cascade down in size, much like a set of bleachers. Most importantly, the centerpiece of any Valentine’s Day basket should be a handwritten letter. 

A couple of other additions to a great gift are handmade items. Pinterest is a fantastic site to visit for inspiration. It is easy to create personalized boards, and many posts include tutorials. In the past, I have made paper and pipe cleaner flowers and received loads of joyful smiles for my efforts. Other popular ideas include a jar of notes, photo collages, sock monkeys, and more.

Overall, Valentine’s Day can be pretty stressful. There is a lot of pressure to give the most expensive gift and go to the most luxurious dinner, but that is not what the holiday is all about.