Valentine’s Day on a Budget
February is here and so is Valetine’s Day. A holiday full of spreading love, sharing gifts, and celebrating those that matter most to you. Over time, it has been reported that Valentine’s Day has become the fifth most expensive holiday in the United States. According to a Shopping Research Study conducted by CapitalOne, consumer spending for Valentine’s Day in 2025 totaled nearly $28 billion, with a consistent projected increase. In 2026, it is estimated that households will budget to spend almost $200 for Valentine’s Day, which comes only two months after spending a heavy amount for the December holidays.
When people are asked why they spend so much, they usually say to express love, but it has also become an expected tradition. However, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. We’re here to help you celebrate with a budget.
Plan for Your Spending
If you find that you are spending too much or just want to save this Valentine’s Day, planning for the day is key. While thinking about how you are going to treat your loved ones, you can also look ahead at what will best suit your checking account.
Gift giving is a love language widely expressed during Valentine’s Day. Surprising your loved ones with something big can be a nice treat, but the ability to do that without taking anything from your daily funds is even sweeter. Setting aside money for extra purchases can help when you want to do something out of the ordinary. With a Gulf Winds Savings Account, all the cash you put away to save is compounded while it waits to be used. That means while you plan for all the ways you want to treat those in your life in the future, your savings account is actively growing more cash for your pocket later.
Spending on a nice meal, candy, and flowers is also a common way for many to celebrate Valentine’s Day. With our VISA Platinum Rewards Credit Cards, you can receive up to 3x rewards points at restaurants and stores, meaning every romantic dinner or bouquet of flowers you purchase earns you points to redeem when you need them later.
And while it is nice to set aside money and earn more when spending on big gifts or fancy dinners, Valentine’s Day does not have to require a lot of spending.
Get Creative with Gifts
During a gift exchange, it may be helpful to set a price limit. This helps everyone involved have a chance to spend what they are comfortable with and still celebrate. While shopping with a limit, it may be difficult to find something. This is where making memories and crafts comes in handy.
For some, the best gift you can give those around you is priceless. Putting thought into making memories and spending quality time together can mean more than a gift that was bought because of the price tag. There are many experiences that can be tailored to who they are for and built off things you already have at home. It could be planning a sunset picnic on the beach with a homecooked meal or special movie night at home featuring your partners favorite film and theater snacks.
If you prefer handing over a physical gift but still want something budget-friendly, DIY gifts are a fun and creative way to accomplish this. Whether it’s a jar full of handwritten notes with an encouraging message for each day or a coupon book full of redeemable future dates and possibilities, there are a lot of ways you can feel the satisfaction of gift-giving and saving at the same time.
This Valentine’s Day, we love the partnership we have built with our members. Our gift to you is support throughout your financial journey that brings you peace of mind and financial confidence. With the help of our products and services, you can plan for future holiday spending and stay in your budget. Visit our website today to learn more about which products are best for you: GoGulfWinds.com.