This post was written by Aya Kaneta and Elisa Cundiff.

Despite the down economy, the National Retail Federation predicts that about 14.7 billion dollars will be spent on cards, jewelry, flowers, and romantic dinners, which translates to about $102.50 spent per person (only roughly $20 less than what was spent per person last year)!

Why is it easier to spend cash on Valentine’s day than it is at Christmas?

• We don’t believe that “roses, a card, and dinner will be as expensive as $400 on a new TV.  So, why budget?”

• Nor do we want our mate to think we are cheap when it comes to love.

Instead, we spend like mad-men, to prove, that like a master-card commercial, our love is “priceless”.

However, your Valentine is less likely to be impressed by one over-priced day, then they are by a thoughtful gesture or an interesting experience.

So, when thinking about how you are going to surprise and delight your lover this Saturday, consider some of our frugal suggestions.

• Take a 2-hour, swing or massage class together. Or, identify some other new activity that interests you both and take a lesson on Valentine’s Day.

• Go experience something spectacular in nature: the beach, a starry sky, a hike to a waterfall.

• Create a photo album that puts your relationship chronologically in order of events.

• Give your loved one an at-home spa treatment.  Rather than creating “coupons” for a massage, just “schedule” them in.  Your heart is in the right place with coupons, but your loved one will feel guilty asking to cash them in.

• Make dinner and watch a movie together.  You can also scratch up a few delicious homemade chocolate-covered strawberries for dessert.

• Play a sport together and set-up something loving for the winner to receive.

• Tip:  supermarket florists are generally half the price of on-line stores.

Budgeting and cutting costs on Christmas implies a tough wallet during a tight economy, but on Valentine’s we are afraid it will imply a lack of love.  That doesn’t have to be the case.

Experiences are more valuable than money spent.

What are your frugal V-Day suggestions?