$5 Gift Idea For Valentines Day
POSTED IN: Blog Posts, Makes You Think, Social Justice
Valentines day is tomorrow and across the country millions of guys will be rushing to pick up roses, chocolate, jewelery and other gifts for their sweetie. Here are some facts and figures to consider before you do your shopping:
- This year Americans will spend $540 million dollars on Valentine Cards (1)
- $6.3 billion will be spent on flowers (2)
- $1.1 billion will be spent on chocolate
- In total this year, Americans will spend approximately $17 BILLION DOLLARS on gifts, cards, chocolate and other niceties for Valentines Day.
Meanwhile…
- 884 million people lack access to safe water supplies, approximately 1 in 8 people (5)
- 84% of water-related deaths are in children ages 0 – 14 (5)
- This year 3.575 million people will die from water-related diseases (5)
Here’s a great video from 5DollarWater.com that helps put things in perspective:
(click here if you can’t see the video)
Now I’m not saying don’t buy your wife anything tomorrow and blame it on me. I am, however, asking you to think about your purchases with a global perspective so you have some left over to give towards fresh-water wells and other social justice causes.
Get Creative
Here are a few simple ideas to save some $$, impress your sweetie and make a difference around the world:
- Make your own card
home-made cards are special because they let your special someone know that you took the time and effort to personalize something just for them. - Shop card-smart
If you don’t have the time or creative know-how to make your own card then at least be aware of what you’re spending before you buy. Look on the back of the card and check the price first before you head to the checkout. You’ll be amazed at how much some of those cards are. Because after all, it’s not the card that counts but what you write inside it! Buy a cheaper card, write a longer note and give the extra $$ you saved to 5Dollarwater.com - “A Rose by any other price…”
We all know that the stores jack their prices up on flowers in the days before February 14. Consider talking it over with your spouse and agree to instead buy your roses in the days or weeks after the Valentines Day rush. You’ll save huge $$ and have more left over to give. - Make Your Own Sweets
Who doesn’t like getting treats and sweets on Valentines Day? But buying favorites like chocolate-covered strawberries will set you back some serious $$. Instead, make them yourself. They’re quick and easy. - Give Gifts That Cost Less But Mean More
Sure, you could buy her that diamond necklace, but how much more special would it be to give her a coupon for 1 night off away from the kids or a romantic evening with you. Stay at home, clean the house and make her dinner instead of going out. It’s better for you and will do wonders for your marriage.
There’s plenty of things to drop some serious cash on this Valentines Day but we all know that $$ does not equal love or happiness. Choose instead to make this Valentines Day special by giving him/her your time and giving your money to something that can make a difference. Because nothing says “I love you” like giving someone clean drinking water and saving a life.
Click here to donate $5 to 5DollarWater.com
(the equivalent of giving 1 person clean water for 20 years).
Got any more romantic gestures or money-saving Valentines tips?
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February 13, 2009
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Brad, thanks SO MUCH for putting this up. This is wild! Tomorrow I’m going to put it up on my blog and match any donations that people choose to make.
Keep rocking it for the kingdom bro,
Jay
Jay Brock @ The Sex Rev’s last blog post..Do You Feel Like God Abandoned You?
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February 13, 2009
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This gift won’t work on all women but if you have that type of woman (or guy) why not make a donation in their name. Make a $50 donation … Give water to 20 people.
Sid Watal’s last blog post..ZICAM – Homeopathic Quackery???
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February 13, 2009
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My wife and I do not celebrate V-Day anymore. That stopped when we got married (replaced by anniversary) for many of the reasons mentioned above. Great post and thoughts, friend. I’ll mention this post on mine this weekend.
CJ’s last blog post..In Honor Of Valentine’s Day
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February 13, 2009
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I am in agreement with CJ. We replaced V-Day with our anniversary. But we still get a card at least… But this is sweet. Thanks for passing it along!
DK Snyder’s last blog post..What was your favorite?
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February 13, 2009
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How about sponsoring a Compassion child in her honor? Lots of love to go around in that.
Juli Jarvis’s last blog post..Great Quotes
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February 13, 2009
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Eye opening brotha man…..what if we all gave $10 or $15….oh you liken that…!
BJ’s last blog post..Selfishness
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February 13, 2009
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Cool man, thanks for the email and the heads up on this!
Nick’s last blog post..Joaquin Phoenix Has Gone to the Nut House
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February 13, 2009
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Hon, I love this post.
Here’s a another idea….
“Someone” could give their sweetheart a massage on Vday! What do you think of that one???? Love you!
Lisa Ruggles’s last blog post..5 Ducks Anyone?
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February 13, 2009
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Hey, thanks for the tips. My boys decided to make their mom breakfast in bed and give her her favorite candy bar. They also each took some money out of their savings acct’s and donated to $5 dollar water in their mom’s name. I’m lovin’ it!
Donovan’s last blog post..Regrets…
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February 13, 2009
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I heard on Leno…(so, it has to be taken with a grain of salt)…that a dozen roses cost over $100.
Way too much money for roses if you ask me.
There’s much better ways to spend $100 with the one you love than in roses.
Zach Younkin’s last blog post..My Credit Score (update 1)
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February 13, 2009
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@Lisa Hmmm…not sure about that idea. Nice try though
@Donovan – Good for you man! That’s awesome! Those are some smart boys you’re raising!
@Zach – Yeah, I would never dream of spending that much for roses. If you wait until after the Feb 14 rush you can easily pick up a dozen for $14-18 at the right places. Plus, it means so much more to buy flowers just because rather than doing it because everyone does it on Valentines.
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February 13, 2009
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Oohhh…. I’ve got one! How about they give “someone” a pedicure….
Lisa Ruggles’s last blog post..5 Ducks Anyone?
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February 14, 2009
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[...] you have yet to get a gift (any guys that have done that???), check out $5 Gift Ideas from Learning How to Live. No Comments so far Leave a comment RSS feed for comments on this [...]
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February 14, 2009
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Or a picnic in the park…
Juli Jarvis’s last blog post..What Women Want
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February 15, 2009
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[...] some of the blog posts still sitting in my reader when I read an amazing post by the creative guru Brad Ruggles when my kids so the accompanying video. That’s when our Valentines Day gift got interesting. [...]
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February 20, 2009
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so what did lisa get for valentine’s day?!
alece’s last blog post..everything’s right
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March 12, 2009
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[...] some of the blog posts still sitting in my reader when I read an amazing post by the creative guru Brad Ruggles when my kids so the accompanying video. That’s when our Valentines Day gift got interesting. [...]
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November 4, 2010
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during Valentines Day, i always give my girlfriend some roses collection for her to enjoy “
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December 3, 2010
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during valentines day, i always give my girlfriend a very warm hug that she enjoys –.