Valentine's Gift Ideas for Guys on a Budget

The packaging is the priciest part of most Valentine's Day gifts. If you want to shower your loved one with roses and chocolates while staying on budget, get creative by finding your flowers and chocolates online or at wholesale dealers. Once they arrive, create your own beautiful packaging.

Calling All Chocoholics:

For chocolates, buy a pretty box at Michael's or other local craft store. Place your wholesale chocolates inside. Purchase a few sheets of matching tissue paper and ribbon to dress up the box, and you have the perfect budget present.

Fabulous Flowers:

If you aren't set on giving her roses, consider other types of flowers to give - roses can get pricey during Valentine's Day due to the high demand. A large bouquet of red or pink carnations are just as beautiful but cost a fraction of the price - especially if you buy a large bunch from the florist and wrap the bouquet yourself. Also consider a non-traditional Valentine's Day floral arrangement. 1-800-Flowers has the cutest carnation cupcake that would make any girl melt, and it's under $25.

Bouquet Wrapping 101:

1. To wrap the bouquet yourself, visit a craft store and buy a roll of red raffia ribbon and brown paper-bag style wrapping paper for a rustic-chic bouquet.

2. Cut a two-foot long piece of wrapping paper and position it diagonally, wrapping it around the bouquet (which should be already tied with a rubber band) with the end corner pointing upward like a triangle above the bouquet.

3. Wrap the red raffia ribbon around the brown paper mid-stem of your bouquet and tie it in a bow to secure the paper onto the bouquet. Finish it off with a handmade card from the heart!