Celebrating Valentine's Day on Budget

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The clock is ticking and there are less than two days to get your Valentine's Day gifts for that special person. But, you may have to pay a little more this year for one of the holiday's most popular presents.

Mother Nature seems to be working in our favor with the sun peeking out today but the recent winter weather could have an effect on the flowers we buy.

Whether it's for your soul mate, lover or friend it's that time of the year.

Love is in the air for Austin Harris.

"Just getting some roses for Valentine's Day," said Harris. "You gotta get them or else you're in the dog house."

It's all about the perfect present and money is no matter.

"You gotta get the right one or you're in the dog house again, so it's all about the money and roses," Harris said.

On this Valentine's Day weekend, one local florist is in full bloom.

"The phones have been going nonstop for the last week," Lester Howard of Howard Brothers Florist said.

Because of the wicked weather in Colombia, where three quarters of the roses normally shipped into our country were hit hard by frost, supply could be scarce and prices could climb.

"It probably does to a degree and we haven't felt it from our end at this point and of course our flowers come from Ecuador and other parts of the world so there's not enough to compensate the lack thereof from one country," Howard said.

In the metro though, there are enough to keep many wives and girlfriends happy.

And for last minute shoppers, local florists will stay open late. A dozen roses this time of the year can range from $40 to $125.

Tips on how to save this Valentine's Day:

- don't get roses, since they're high in demand and not in full season, buy other types of flowers

- pick up the flowers so you don't have to pay for delivery cost which averages $10 to $15

- make your own card, save on average of $3

- Get your significant other's favorite candy bar and skip the box of candy

- Get to movies on matinee and save a few bucks or rent a movie, buy popcorn and tub at a video store.

- Dinner and glass of wine, go to a more moderately priced restaurant, look for coupons,; rain check and take them on a different day, or cook yourself and price check your favorite foods.