Some people love Valentine’s Day with a passion and others hate it with a vengeance. Me? I’m totally neutral about it. I don’t hate it, but I also don’t think it’s that big of a deal. Certainly not a big enough deal for me to want to spend big bucks on it. Not in this economy, thank you very much. But I am a romantic, so I do like to acknowledge and celebrate the love in my life without breaking the bank.
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For me it’s not about how much I spend on someone or how much someone spends on me, it’s about the sentiment and the memories created together. This year, if you are going to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved one, remember that there is no shame in keeping things cheap. And if you need some inexpensive ideas for a romantic Valentine’s Day, keep reading.
Take advantage of happy hour or early bird specials.
The price of drinks and dining out nowadays can get prohibitive. Fortunately, there are still lots of bars and restaurants that offer happy hour and early bird specials. Do an online search for businesses near you that offer these kinds of specials and have yourself an early evening Valentine’s Day cocktail or meal.
Challenge each other to stick to a budget.
Give each other a spending limit. Like you can only spend $20 on each other. The amount is up to you. Then really think about what you can get your loved one with that amount. Hey, $20 could be an entire meal at Taco Bell or a huge burrito at your local taqueria.
Go out for dessert.
Eat at home and then head out for dessert. I love this because if you have a whole meal out, you end up not having room for dessert. If you eat at home, you can wait until your sweet tooth kicks in and then really go to town on a decadent dessert with your love.
Walk across a bridge at sunset.
If you live near a walkable bridge, grab a warm drink, and stroll across the bridge around sunset. It’s such a simple thing, but it’s romantic and gives you time to chat, enjoy the view, and bond.
Visit your local botanical garden.
Depending on where you live, your local botanical garden might offer free admission if you are a resident. If not, the prices are usually reasonable. Stroll through the gardens at your leisure and take in all the natural beauty together.
Tour a chocolate factory.
Is there a chocolate or candy factory near you? If so, check to see if they offer tours. The chocolate factory near me offers tours for $20 per person and you get to sample their treats.
Get crafty, be creative.
When I saw this video of this man creating a beautiful floral arrangement for his love, my heart grew two sizes. It cost him so little to make, but dang it if the final result isn’t priceless because of his thoughtfulness and creativity.
Go bowling.
Reserve a lane at your local bowling alley. It’s a relatively inexpensive activity that is fun regardless of whether you are a good bowler or not.
Go to an arcade.
When my husband and I started dating, we played a lot of Ms. Pac-Man at the laundromat. It was so much fun. Now, whenever we are by an arcade we pop in to see if they have a Ms. Pac-Man console so we can relive the early days of our romance. Even if you’ve never played arcade games together, going to an arcade is still fun and something you can do on a budget.
Go for a scenic drive, park, and make out.
Take a nice drive, find a place to park, and make out. Have fun, fog up the windows a bit! Kissing is good for couples! Studies on kissing—yes, scientific studies on kissing exist—have found that kissing can reduce stress, boost your immune system, enhance your mood, and are a great form of nonverbal communication. And kissing is free!
Go for a hike or walk.
Walking or hiking as a couple is a great way to connect, talk, resolve issues, and experience the world together. It can be meditative and a wonderful way to bond. And if you decide to stop along the way to kiss, well, who can blame you?
Take photo booth pictures.
Find a photo booth near you with the help of the internet and go take some pictures together. Photo booths are fun because you can be goofy and quirky. It could become a yearly tradition for you.
Go for a bike ride.
Even if you don’t own bikes, you can still go on a bike ride together. Renting bikes is pretty affordable and easy to do. If you’re worried you don’t have the endurance for a bike ride, remember that you can always rent an electric bike.
Be silly.
Get dressed up and go enjoy a meal at your favorite fast food joint. Wear your fanciest clothes to walk in the park. Do anything that makes you feel silly in a good way.
Stay home and be together.
Who says you have to go out to celebrate? You can stay home, drink, eat, and do whatever (wink, wink). The thing is that you have to make it special. It can’t be like a regular evening when you are both home and on your phones or in different rooms. For Valentine’s Day, if you choose to stay home, do it together. Make a meal together, watch a movie together, take a shower together, do whatever together.
