Ah, Valentine’s Day, that one day of the year that you spend, spend and spend on little tokens of love for your sweetie. You probably BUY a card, BUY candy, BUY flowers, BUY dinner, etc. See the running theme here….it can get pretty costly, but it doesn’t have to. Just because it is one of the most commercial holidays of the year, you can still show your love and appreciation for your partner at little to no cost, and more often than just one day a year. Here are 14 creative and cheap Valentine’s Day dates that won’t break the bank, but still show you care:
- First and foremost, if you’re married with kids, babysitting tends to be a luxury … so why not tuck the kiddos into bed and then have an at-home date night? Some fun ideas include a movie marathon, complete with fresh popped popcorn and some homemade smoothies or setup your laptop or tablet, click on your favorite music site such as Pandora for a fun night of Karaoke…trust me, pick a station that you both enjoy and it provides hours of laughter and is quite the bonding experience.
- Head on over to your local bookstore and spend some time exploring. The lovely ladies at the Dating Divas have already planned it out including free printables. Best part about this one is that it is totally F-R-E-E!
- Cooking together is always a fun idea and less expensive than going out to dinner. Plus you avoid all the crowds and lack of reservations available around Valentine’s Day. Pick a theme and go with it. Feel like going to Paris for the evening? Well then grab a baguette, some sparkling wine and a few cheeses for a tasting. How about Italy? Easy — you just need some pasta, a bottle of Chianti and a yummy Tiramisu.
- What’s more romantic than stargazing with your loved one? Head to a local park or even your backyard with a blanket, download the free Star Chart app on your smart phone for an easy map of constellations, and pack your favorite beverage. Make sure there aren’t any lights nearby to make it easier to see the stars.
- Who says date nights have to take place at night? Go on a nature walk, create a scavenger hunt for items to find, pick some flowers along the way and end with a romantic picnic.
- Find a local winery or wine shop and do a tasting or go on a free winery tour. Sometimes they even have free snacks and local music, if you’re lucky.
- Find a local volunteer opportunity or service project in your area and serve together, you spend quality time together while helping out the community all at no cost except for your time.
- Are you musically inclined? If so, then write a song together. How awesome is that?
- Keep an eye out on your local deal sites such as Groupon for discounts to Paint your Own Pottery or Canvas outings. You can typically save up to 50% off per person and basically pay for one and get one free.
- Still want to go out to eat? Have a progressive date night. Choose a few different restaurants around town and start out with drinks at one place, then head over to another for appetizers, try out a new place for the main meal, and finish up at your local bakery or ice cream parlor for dessert. The best part about this is that you don’t spend as much money if you’re there for a specific item, and you can sit at the bar to do most of these so it’s more laid back.
- Want to see that musical or play but the price is too steep? Call around to see if your local theater sells tickets for dress rehearsals. You pay less than the actual ticket cost and get the same experience. Or, see if you can find a discounted ticket from Goldstar or ScoreBig.
- Build something together. Order in pizza and open up that DIY Pinterest inspiration board you have been quickly filling with ideas, pick your favorite and get started!
- Into fitness? Get a free day pass to a gym whose membership may be a bit out of your budget and spend some time with your sweetie getting physical. Challenge each other to a fitness competition, take some classes, and then take advantage of the gym’s sauna or pool, if it has one.
- Be a tourist in your own city. Go online and print out a travel guide, set your sites on a few locations, create an itinerary and play tourist! Make sure to take pictures along the way.
