Valentine’s Day gifts that will not break the bank

Try something different this valentines and get something original and from the heart that will save you a penny or two.

Don’t get sucked into buying large and extravagant gifts for the day of love, think outside the box and try a few upcycled gifts that your loved one will truly appreciate.

CEO of Cash Converters, Richard Mukheibir said Valentine’s Day can be a day of random acts of kindness.

“Think a little outside the box this year. Bring Valentine’s Day back to basics and speak tender words to your loved one and make them laugh. Spend some time together.”

Try making little DIY gifts and take the stress out of the whole day, focussing on what really matters.

Mukheibir suggests making a gift together instead of spending hundreds of rands at a restaurant.

If you are still scratching your head, consider these easy DIY gift ideas:

• Turn an old CD into a phot coaster. Glue an old photograph of the two of you onto an old CD. When the glue has dried, use a crafter’s knife to carefully cut the edges of the CD with acrylic varnish to make it hard-wearing.
• Turn an old CD case into a scrapbook.
• Let the soft sounds of a wind chime remind you of your loved one. Find an old tea pot or metal bowl, drill holes evenly around the side of it; this is for you to attach the chimes. Collect old items like cutlery, old keys, shells..add some beads to make the chime that much more appealing to the eye. Attach the wind chimes to the bowl or tea pot with fishing line.
• Breathe life into an old vase by painting it with some chalk paint.