I scored a free coffee for Valentine's Day! truth24times / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

Now that the dust has settled after Valentine’s Day, I want to know how much you spent and what you received? The National Retail Federation reported that those celebrating would spend an average of $126.03. That’s a lot of money!

I definitely spent less, even with a birthday celebration following the next day. I spent about $30 for ingredients to make Valentine’s Day treats for 15 friends. I used those same ingredients to make my father’s cake!

My Valentine was my sister. We went to Coffee Bean after school to take advantage of the buy one, get one free promo for Valentine’s Day. I paid $4 for my Chai, and her drink was free. I spent a total of $34. How much did you spend?

The NRF stated men were expected to pay the most for jewelry, flowers, and other gifts. Makes sense since many couples get engaged during this time. Compared to your guy, who spent the most?

I’m a cynic when it comes to Valentine’s Day. I feel like the “holiday” exists to get you to spend your hard earned money. Anyone not spend a dime on V-Day?

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Love book made from deck of cards

I am so glad that it is finally time to start making Valentine’s Day crafts. I just love them. Can’t get enough of those hearts and flowers and rainbows and paper doilies.

I found eight lovely and do-able Valentine’s crafts.

1. Little felt heart pins. These are so simple and yet so sweet. Just a bit of felt cut into heart shapes, hand stitched and stuffed with a little pin backing.
2. A garland of love. Print out pictures of your loved one(s) and cut into the shape of hearts. Glue picture on a heart shape red card. Tie heart onto a string. Make a garland of love.
3. 52 things I love about you. This is so clever! Take a deck of cards and punch 2 holes. Use rings or ribbon to bind together (see picture). On each card, write a reason why you love your love.
4. Valentine coupons. Must admit that I made last minute Christmas coupons using this wonderful online tool. You can customize the coupon and print it out. A great idea to help your kids come up with a gift for mom.
5. Rose petal covered bed. I’m not sure if this really qualifies as a craft, but it is such a great visual of the perfect rose covered marriage proposal. Short and sweet video.
6. Heartstring. Turn a cardboard tube into a heart string. Great reuse of cardboard tubing. The messy part is going to be painting the cardboard red. For young kids, I suggest using magic marker. If you are going to make this yourself, you might want to consider spray paint.
7. Heart shaped crayons. Simple and unique craft to make with your kids using that big box of broken crayons you own.
8. Pop-up heart card. This is a unique pop-up design that requires an adult hand and exacto knife…but worth it. Nice.

OK, get busy making those Valentine crafts. And remember, you can make every day Valentine’s Day with just a little love.

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Karen Horton/flickr

A person’s ability to come up with a creative, romantic, and frugal Valentine’s date is a true indicator of that person’s ability to come up with creative, thoughtful, and debt-free lifestyle choices.

We’ve already covered many frugal and creative Valentine’s dates in nine unusual Valentine’s dates that are frugal too, cheap debt-free valentine’s dates, and you calling me a cheap date? You betcha. Browse all three of these articles and you will have enough great date ideas to take you through to your 25th wedding anniversary.

However, these ideas still require you follow some very important rules:

1. Plan ahead. Do not wait until the day before Valentine’s Day to make your plans. Most special dates require advance work. If you are going to take your loved one to a taping of her favorite TV show, you will definitely have to book this ahead of time. Making a portrait of your dear-heart out of soda cans REALLY takes advance notice. So, don’t wait!
2. Pay attention. If you decide that going to a drive-in movie would be a great idea, then make sure that your loved one hasn’t mentioned that she hates drive-in movies. Listen.
3. Gather support. Sometimes you need other people in order to pull off your romantic date. Let’s say you want to have a flash mob marriage proposal. You will need to gather lots of other people to pull that one off. But, you know, people WANT to help you make a great romantic effect. So, ask your friends and family for help.
4. Take pictures and video. So, you manage to pull off this sensational moment, like a sunset helicopter ride over the site of your first encounter. You really must document the moment. My husband and I talked to our not-yet-conceived children at our wedding reception. It’s some pretty cool footage. A total keeper.
5. Once the moment comes, you have to let it just unroll. You can plan and plan, but when the magic moment comes, you have to let it just happen. Don’t get upset if it doesn’t work the exact way you planned. That will DEFINITELY ruin the moment. Just enjoy the moment, and it will be even better.

I hope all these ideas help you to have a wonderful Valentine’s Day with your special someone. Anyone have some other advice?

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Valentine’s Day is here and along with it comes my favorite craft season. You can buy a dozen over-priced roses, but I always create my own valentine gifts. Making homemade valentines is fun no matter what age you are. Some of the first craft projects I did with my kids were Valentine’s Day cards for Daddy. Ooooh!

Here are five of my favorite Valentine card craft tips:

1. How to draw a heart. Once you learn to draw a heart, it is easy. But, how do you learn or teach someone else? Here is a simple step-by-step lesson to teach you. It involves two circles and a triangle.
2. How to make an origami heart with wings. This super cool origami isn’t too hard, especially with these detailed folding directions. Learn the art of folding paper and then make one in front of your love and hand it to him/her or make it part of a card. Impressive!
3. How to make an edible cookie bouquet. This simple 1:31-minute video shows you how to make a bouquet that your cookie-loving sweetie will find tasty.
4. How to make a pop up card. This video shows you the basics of what can be an advanced card-making technique. Take the time to watch this video 4:01-minute and you will be able to make an impressive card.
5. Martha Stewart’s handmade Valentine’s Gifts. From the original queen of homemade. This slide show is worth watching to get ideas.

Of course, you can also draw a heart in the sand, on a steamy window or with chalk on your front stoop. There are so many ways to say “I Love You.” You don’t have to just use these ideas on Valentine’s Day. Any day is a good day to show appreciation.

What are your homemade Valentine’s gift ideas? I look forward to reading them.

Looks like their date went well! Credit: kissyface/Flickr

Stay tuned for Bobbi’s post tomorrow about five simple Valentine’s Day crafts. I’m going to use at least two of her ideas!

1. Go see improv comedy. It’s often very cheap, say $10 or less a ticket, and some clubs even have a BYOB policy. Ask about specials, check the troupe’s website for coupons, or plan a group outing and call ahead for bulk discounts. Improv.com has some improv comedy listings but a better bet might be to Google “improv comedy + your zip code.”

2. Take your date to the taping of a TV show. BargainBabe.com blogger Bobbi knows all the ins and outs to scoring free TV show tickets.

3. Participate in a flash mob performance. A flash mob is when a group of strangers get together at a certain time at a certain place and perform a certain action. Freezing in time for 15 seconds, for instance. Some flash mobs are political, some are zany and fun. There are performances worldwide and they usually last only a short time. The thrill of performing will inject your relationship with new energy.

4. Treat your honey to a winter picnic at your local park. This calls for a very hot menu! May I suggest hot cocoa spiked with Baileys, hot soup from a thermos, or a pre-heated dish that is easy to scoop up. Spread a plastic tarp and then a blanket over the ground to stay warm and dry. You may well have the park all to your self!

5. Double date at a cafe. For the price of a cup of coffee, the four of you can catch up, play games, and revel in each others’ loving glow. There’s nothing like seeing your friends happy to make you and yours happy.

6. Write a quiz about your partner showcasing their special talents, inside jokes, and what you love about them.

7. Sign up for a cooking class together. Google “cooking school” plus your zip code or town for local classes. Many schools offer one time classes that are much more affordable than a series. Work together to make new dishes or partner with other students and make new friends. The best part is at the end of the class when everyone shares the meal they just prepared.

8. Grab a handful of friends and host a Valentine’s-Day swap. This works just like a White Elephant exchange or Yankee swap, but the gifts have a Valentine’s Day theme. You can make it family friendly, appropriate for adults only, or pick a theme, like homemade gifts. Here is how a White Elephant exchange works.

9. Read my earlier post on cheap date ideas for 10 more fun and free things to do with your honey bunch.

How are you going to celebrate Valentine’s Day?

kejadlen/Flickr

A shopping website called ShopRunner emailed me its top five worst Valentine’s Day gifts, which naturally got me thinking about the best frugal V-day gifts. Here are my best and worst Valentine’s Day gifts. What’s on your list?

Worst Frugal Valentine’s Day Gifts

1. Nothing at all. Not even a card!!

2. Self-improvement item that I didn’t ask for, like a dieting book or scale.

3. Jewelry that I don’t like (see below for tips to buy jewelry).

4. A stuffed animal (unless you want to make me feel like I am five).

5. Flowers that look like they will die tomorrow.

Best Valentine’s Day Gifts

1. A wonderful homemade meal. Make a wonderful homemade dessert and you’re getting lucky tonight!

2. A card or letter with a note about what our friendship means to you.

3. A box of See’s chocolates (nuts and chews are the best!)

4. Jewelry that I love (ask a friend/sister for advice or give a “coupon” for a necklace, ring, or bracelet that I can pick out).

5. A surprise outing you’ve planned for us, like a hike and then picnic lunch, a romantic drive,  or a special visit to a museum, art gallery, or other cultural event.

Krispy Kreme

There are 12 freebies and coupons total today!

Free Krispy Kreme - Buy a dozen Valentine’s-theme donuts and get 12 cards that have coupons for free donuts, coffee, or hot chocolate. Ends Feb. 14, 2011. Look for heart-shaped donuts with sprinkles, a chocolate iced donut with sprinkles, or a chocolate iced heart with red drizzle. At participating U.S. and Canadian stores.

Free pizza? If the Superbowl goes into overtime, Papa John’s has promised a free pizza to every American. Catch is you gotta register on the site by Feb. 5, 2011.

Free Redbox movie rental - Get a free one-night movie/DVD rental at Redbox with coupon code N6TRWTV. Unclear when it expires.

Redbox coupons - Rent two movies, get a Redbox coupons for a free DVD rental. Ends Feb. 14, 2011.

Borders free shipping – Get free shipping at Borders with no minimum order through Feb. 3, 2011. Get the Borders coupon code.

Walgreens coupon - Get 40% off photo orders with this Walgreens coupon, which expires Feb. 5, 2011.

Picaboo photo coupons - Get 25% off classic photobooks through Feb. 7, 2011 with Picaboo coupon code FEB25CB. Get 50% off calenders through Feb. 7, 2011 with Picaboo coupon code CAL50FEB. Plus, extra pages in classic photobooks are now $.99 (orig. $1.99).

Makeup deal - Through Feb. 15, 2011, get free shipping at E.L.F. with orders of $25 and ELF coupon code BCGSHIP25.

Makeup deal - Hip to Save found a hot makeup deal at Smashbox. Get four free samples, a $24 Double Exposure Lip & Cheek color, and free shipping when you buy one item between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. PST Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Beauty discounts – The Beauty Discount Club is free to join and claims to have discounts of 40-88% off retail prices on hair care, skin care, and cosmetics.

Valentine’s Day crafts - Join FaveCrafts and get free Valentine’s Day craft ideas for kids.

Ends today! Restaurant.com coupon - Use Restaurant.com coupon TREAT through Feb. 2, 2011 to get a $25 gift certificate to a restaurant of your choice for $5.

Clicking on these links supports BargainBabe.com.

Blue Nile – get 5% of your purchase back

FTD – get 20% back

Kodak Gallery – 15% back

Godiva - 8% back

Snapfish – 11.5%

Lancome -14%

The Body Shop -10%

Teleflora – 20%

Drugstore.com -12%

Ice.com – 8%

Sephora -8%

BareNecessities -10%

Nordstrom - 5%

FragranceNet -12%

HSN -4%

Sears – 4%

To get these cash rebates, register (for free) at Ebates or log on, then click through to the retailer of your choice. Ebates does all the hard work of tracking your purchase and sends you a check about 90 days later. The wait is the only downside to using Ebates!

Follow @CVS_Extra on Twitter and you’ll get a 25 percent off code for their entire website. What a way to attract new followers!

Get 33 percent off at Borders now through Feb. 11, 2010.

Restaurant.com is 80 percent off now through Feb. 14, 2010.

Do you surf? Get a free subscription to Surfer Magazine when you share a few questions about your job.

Here’s a Michaels coupon for 40 percent off, good through Feb. 20, 2010.

• how to pick out jewelry for a woman
• how to cook a sex-charged dinner
• how to pick our lingerie for your lady
• how to score on Valentine’s Day
• how to survive Valentine’s Day alone

Each video is 2-3 minutes. Watch them here.

More V-day resources: cheap Valentine’s dates and a source for Valentine’s Day coupons.

Here are six more cheap ideas for how to celebrate Valentine’s Day, courtesy of the Debt Diva, a blog associated with CareOne debt counseling services. Instead of exchanging gifts, plan one of these activities together.

Treasure Hunt: Create a map and clues leading to special places and favorite spots. Hide a token gift at the end to wrap it all up.

Movie Marathon: Pick one romantic movie each, make popcorn and cuddle on the couch. Not sure what to watch? Here is a list of 50 romantic movies.

Bring back memories: Pull out your wedding photos, pics from a trip you took together, or watch a video of your wedding.

Live Music: Check out a concert in your town that you both enjoy. There are also local cover bands that play music of a favorite artist at an inexpensive venue or even for free.

Romantic Dinner: Have a nice candlelit dinner at home. Cooking at home costs much less than going to fancy restaurant. Dress up in something nice and make something new.

Wine Tasting: Many vineyards offer a tasting for around $10. This is a romantic fun way to spend the day. If you make a purchase at the end, many vineyards will even apply the tasting fee to the product. If weather allows, bring a picnic lunch to eat between tastings.

Take advantage of these automatic cash rebates by joining eBates. It’s free! Use my email (juliamariescott at gmail dot com) as a referral and we both get a $5 bonus after your first purchase.

The way it works is when you shop online, first log into eBates. Then click through to the retailer you want to shop at. They track your purchases and give you a percentage back in cash. They have different deals with each retailer so the rebates vary. Read more about how eBates works.

Caveats: unclear when the V-day promotion ends.

The post is so useful I wish I’d thought of it myself!

One source of V-day coupon codes is CouponChief.com. The site pays users who register and upload coupons. To use their coupons, you must click through to the retailer from their site.

The site has a special five-page section of Valentine’s Day coupons, including 15% off at Teleflora, 20% off plus free shipping at Diamond.com, and 10% off an order of $35 or more at Chocolate Source or Nirvana Chocolates. ProFlowers offers $20 off a dozen long-stemmed roses and Edible Arrangements offers $5 your next order.

Some of the discounts on this page are not directly related to V-day, like the Children’s Place and Kmart, but depending on what you are looking for they may be useful.