Love on a Budget

CHRISTMAS only seems like yesterday. The dog is still wearing her festive bow and I’ve got a cheeseboard in the fridge with Mrs Bell’s Yorkshire Blue to tackle. Now Valentines Day is upon us and we’re feeling the pinch. Can we tug at the heartstrings when we’ve tightened our purse strings? Will Cupid make a flying entrance or is he saving his air-miles? And can love survive when the economy is dead?

“I’ll definitely be staying in this year,” says Anna Smith, 38, of Northop Hall. “The prices go through the roof around Valentines but especially this year. It’s just too expensive. Luckily my husband is a great cook so we’ll be having a quiet meal at home.”

It seems Anna’s not the only one fed up with pricey nosh. Julia Rowlands, 52, of Leeswood, is taking advantage of a special offer for that special dinner. “We usually go out for a slap-up meal somewhere lovely,” she says, “but this year we have vouchers for buy one get one free.” Julia is celebrating for more than one reason and is sad that she and her husband can’t do it in style. “We’ve been married 20 years in July so it’s a double celebration. It’s a shame we can’t splash out. We’ll probably just get an Indian takeaway and a DVD.”

One lady from Mold has taken Cupid’s arrow and snapped it right in two. Valentines Day is cancelled altogether for Katy Lindsay, 19. “I’ve made no plans at all,” she tells me. “I’ve just had a baby which costs enough as it is. Even though I’m really careful with my money, I just can’t afford it. I will be staying in.”

Paul Harris, 20, of Afonwen, will be doing the opposite but it’s not for the romantic reason you’d expect. His plans with his girlfriend are on hold while he waits tables at his local pub, The Pwll Gwyn. “It’s my shift on Valentine’s night so I couldn’t make plans anyway,” he says. “My time will be spent serving others.” Paul thinks it’ll be a busy one. “A lot of people have booked tables already so we’ll be rushed off our feet.” And as for his other half? “My girlfriend is gutted but she understands. We’ll do something the week after to make up for it.”

Has the recession given us depression? Are we still lovesick or sick of spending? Are we that out of pocket that we can’t treat our loved ones on Valentines Day?

“The credit crunch hasn’t really affected me,” says Dave Blundell, 42, of Chester. “I’m in between girlfriends at the moment so I will probably take her for a nice meal, no expense spared.”

And Andrew Jones, 35, of Mold, is spending more than what he usually would come February 14th. “Me and my wife are going to a charity function in Llangollen for the Rotary Club,” says Andrew. “It’s been organised for months, a day out for the both of us. Otherwise it’d just be a case of a card.”

While the sale of Valentines goodies may be dropping, the sale of one thing has soared. Cake stands, believe it or not, have been flying off the shelves. And why? Because couple’s who are planning to tie the knot on Valentines Day are making their own wedding cakes instead of paying for caterers.

“There definitely seems to be a growing trend of people looking to DIY their wedding day,” says Steve Whittle of Displaysense, the UK’s largest supplier of catering equipment.“Some of our customers have been very inventive with their purchases. One customer cut down on their wedding stationary and purchased some note clip holders from our leaflet holders range and used them for table and name placements as well as menu holders," said Steve.Research also shows that couples are renting items for their wedding instead of buying them. It gives ‘something borrowed’ a whole new meaning. Some businesses are planning to extend their January sales to cover the first two weeks of February to cater for pre-marital couples with a tighter budget. And for those cost-conscious Casanova’s, who can forget Asda’s 8p Valentines card?

So there is hope for all you hopeless romantics. Here are my tips for Valentines on a budget:

Instead of a card, write your loved one a letter or a poem that shows how much they mean to you. You don’t have to be a Shakespeare. Your own words will be effective.

Why not go all Blue Peter and make something? A mixed tape with their favourite songs will remind them of the good times you’ve had. A photo of you both in a frame is simple and sweet. Even a collage of tickets, receipts, postcards and beer mats is a quirky reminder of the time you’ve spent together.
Cook them a meal with their favourite dish. It shows you have made an effort and they will appreciate it. And crack open that vintage bottle of wine you’ve had for forever as this will save you from buying one.

And every little helps. Run them a bath, walk the dog or wash the dishes because it’s the small things that make the biggest difference. And ladies, try a compromise. Let him watch the match and he can play with your feet after it.

A celebration of love or a way to make money? Everybody likes that bit of recognition on Valentines Day even if we hate to admit it. And this year, though money may be tight, you can still enjoy yourselves without breaking the bank.

Me? I will be in Sheffield and my boyfriend will be in Shotton. We won’t be celebrating because I can’t afford the train fare home.

Ooh la la! Je’taime mon cheri!

Now where’s me Yorkshire Blue?