Make that trip worth it

It happens every single year. You vow to get your Valentine’s Day shopping early and maybe even include a few more people on your list other the one you’re courting, dating or engaged to. But as soon as the prices are displayed and the choices are laid out, you’re suddenly frozen and doing the math in your head: Is the time, energy and money worth it?

The quick answer is yes, and the steps to get there are easy and practical.

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Keep it simple

Your VDay shopping list does not need to be an extravagant one. You might have different “levels” of gifts to give—like something small but sweet for friends, something beautiful for your mom and something more personal for your significant other—but none of them have to cost you an arm and a leg.

Don’t restrict yourself

Valentine’s Day quickly becomes a surplus of flowers, chocolate, teddy bears and musical Hallmark cards. But like all other gifts, it always means so much better than when the item is well thought out and personal. Think about what the receiver likes, what they dislike, what they’re allergic to. Even if it just means picking a flower that isn’t a rose—it could make all the difference.

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Check online

If you love good deals, the best place to check is online. There are several websites that will let you score amazing deals if you just know how to look for them. Not to mention: Deliveries make things so much easier.

Avoid the crowds

Malls tend to be crowded on regular days, but holidays that require gift shopping tend to push things over the top. And if you’re the type of person that hates crowds, you might find yourself grabbing anything at whatever price just to get out of there.

Avoid running into huge crowds by going to local stores in your community instead or check out shops that love to throw in last-minute sales.

Shop after Valentine’s Day

If you aren’t seeing your Valentines on February 14th itself, you can always opt to shop after, especially if you have your eye on flowers and chocolates. For one thing, there will be less people at the stores and for another, the items will probably be less expensive. Not to mention, you also won’t feel so rushed when you go around.

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Gift giving should be fun, especially if it’s to celebrate something as universal as love—no matter what form it comes in. So get out there, keep your head on straight and spread the love!