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5 simple, and inexpensive, ways to celebrate Valentine's Day

By Celia Colista, www.couponSeven.com, Source: MCT News Service

Here's how everyone can make the day fun and spend zero to $30 doing it, no matter what your Valentine profile.

You have a Valentine, but don't want to spend a ton

1. Make your honey dinner. Have kids? Arrange to have a friend or family member take the kids for the night. Or, have a late night dinner of grown up food (including a glass of wine) after they've gone to bed.

2. Plan a special day. He's been wanting to see Avatar? She wants to take a long bike ride? Buy the tickets, make the time and do something your Valentine will love.

You have Valentines – your kids!

3. Bake heart-shaped cookies. Invest in a cookie cutter and some sprinkles. Put them in cellophane bags (or red tissue paper) and tie them with ribbons or yarn. Your kids can help you bake over the weekend, and take the cookies to school on the big day.

4. You love making things, your kids love getting their hands messy. Do a crafts project together. You can find great projects online – for adults and for kids – on sites like marthastewart.com, goodhousekeeping.com, and parents.com (or do an Internet search for "kids crafts"). You can also find great card designs that your kids can make for their classmates or for you!

You have many Valentines – your friends!

5. Invite your single pals over for Valentine-themed cocktails. Manhattans with maraschino cherries or vodka with Red Hots, anyone? Have your guests bring something to eat, but tell them it has to be red. OR have an anti-Valentine's Day party with beer and pizza, then watch entertainment that has nothing to do with romance: action movies, bad reality TV – anything that doesn't involve hearts and roses.

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(Celia Colista is a  New York-based writer who writes about personal finance, cooking and sustainable eating. Visit couponSeven.com _ Your lucky source for online coupons, free shipping offers, and other deals 7 days a week.)

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Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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