Valentines day background with champagne and roses

Valentine's Day ideas on a budget

It’s February and by this time of year, you’re likely just beginning to see the light as you crawl out of the financial hole the holidays had dug. If you’re lucky enough to have that special someone however, the celebration of love might be a source of financial stress. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be. There are many ways to have a fun and memorable Valentine’s Day with your significant other without having to break the bank. Here are a few last minute budget friendly ideas to make this day special.

Home cooked meal

The first thing to come to mind when planning a Valentine’s Day date is usually a dinner date. You try to think of the most romantic place in town and then hope they still have room for your reservation on one of the busiest days of the year. Going out to a restaurant is a classic but it can also be quite expensive, especially if you’re looking for that romantic/fancy vibe. If you’re not looking to spend a lot this Valentine’s but you still want to get that romantic dinner, just dim the lights, light up some candles and put on some relaxing music that you both enjoy. You could surprise your partner by cooking them their favorite meal or decide on something you both love and cook the meal together. Cooking together can be a great romantic activity, especially if it’s not something you tend to do regularly. Grab a cheap bottle of wine to add to the evening if that’s your thing and enjoy!

Ice Skating

There’s no shortage of ice at this time of year. If you are already equipped for ice skating, this is a super cheap and great option for couples. If you don’t already have skates, they usually aren’t too expensive to rent. Of course, an outdoor skating rink will give you more of the ambiance you’ll be looking for on Valentine’s Day. However, if this isn’t an option where you are, indoor skating rinks can make for a fine evening as well. As many of these might have romantic lighting and music setup for just this occasion. If you keep moving, the cold weather shouldn’t get to you but if it does, it’s just a great opportunity for you to warm each other up once you get back home!

Movie Night

The obvious cheap date option and good second part to a home cooked meal. Choose some favorites you both enjoy or maybe a flick you’ve both been eager to see. If your significant other enjoys mushy romantic movies maybe bite the bullet this Valentine’s Day and pop in The Notebook. After all, making your partner happy is really what this day is all about.

Massage

All you need for this is your hands and maybe some oils. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know what you’re doing, your partner will appreciate the effort. If you want to perfect your techniques however, check out this buzzfeed article on how to give your partner a good massage. Mutual massages can be a great way to relax and set the mood for the rest of the night.

Grab some coffee

Coffee shops aren’t exactly cheap these days but if you’d like to get out of the house and have some romantic time without facing the cold, going out for a latte is definitely a cheaper alternative to a dinner date. Grab your favorite warm beverages, maybe a pastry and get to know each other better. Or if you’ve been together a while, reminisce over good times.

However you choose to spend this day, the most important thing is that it is spent with someone you care about. You definitely don’t need to spend a fortune to make this happen!