Valentine’s Day…. You either love it or hate it. And even if you love it, you might not be celebrating it this year. But if you are, you will no doubt feel the pressure of grand gestures and expensive gifts that valentine’s often entails.
But what if I told you that celebrating love no longer requires you to sacrifice your savings?
In this post, we will explore 23 savvy ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a budget, by focusing on meaningful and memorable experiences you can enjoy together. In the end, being together and making an effort is always going to be more important than spending a fortune.
We are going to explore a range of affordable or free valentine’s date and gift options, so whatever your interests are as a couple, there will be something for everyone.
Don’t break your budget, keep saving money and find a new way to celebrate your love with your special someone.
1. Cook a Romantic Dinner at Home
I am sure when you think of Valentine’s Day, most of you think of dinner at a romantic restaurant. But this can be very expensive…so why not recreate it at home? Create a cosy atmosphere by cooking a romantic dinner using ingredients you already have. You could even try a new recipe together to add an extra dash of fun to the night.
2. Plan a Movie marathon
Get all of your blankets out, grab the popcorn and transform your living room into a home cinema. To get into the true spirit of Valentine’s Day you could make it a romantic movie marathon where you binge as many cheesy romcoms as you can stand.
3. Write Love Letters to each other
Revive the art of letter writing by expressing your love through a handwritten note. This is hopelessly romantic and will create something you can keep and look back on forever. I love this idea as it can be very personal to you and your partner, is budget-friendly and can help you express feelings that you are too scared to say.
4. Watch each other’s favourite TV programme from your childhood
Get a hit of nostalgia by watching each other’s favourite childhood TV shows. Release your inner child and see just how much you were oblivious to when you were young! Even Scooby Doo surprised me! This is by far my favourite idea for doing Valentine’s Day on a budget!
5. Go Stargazing together
Get away from the city lights, lie down and embark on a magical, celestial adventure together. There is so much wonder in the night sky if you just stop to look. And what is more romantic than lying under the stars together on Valentine’s Day?
6. Make a Scavenger Hunt
Design a scavenger hunt for your partner filled with clues related to your relationship. Whether at home, in the garden or a local park, this is a great way to create memories and make the day special without breaking the bank.
7. Have a Picnic
It may be February, but we can always hope for a slightly less freezing day of weather! Pack a simple picnic with items from your pantry and head to a scenic spot for a unique and delightful meal together. You can always picnic inside if the weather is really terrible!
8. Do a Book Exchange
This is an amazing way to get to know your partner on a deeper level. Exchange your favourite books and spend the afternoon in companionable silence. Enter a fantasy world and find out a bit more about what makes your partner’s heart soar. You can then discuss your thoughts on the books, creating a shared literary experience.
9. Arts and Crafts Night
Unleash your creativity and create some future family heirlooms! Dust off your art set and see if either of you are hiding an artistic talent! Even if neither of you are arty this can be great fun- in fact, it might actually be more fun if you are less artistically gifted!
10. Go on an Outdoor Adventure
Wrap up warm and reconnect with nature by going for a hike or nature walk. Exploring nature helps you engage in a joint adventure, building on your team dynamic which can be great for your relationship. Enjoy the outdoors and each other’s company without spending a penny.
11. Go to a new coffee shop and order for each other
Step out of your comfort zone by trying a new coffee shop. Order for each other and enjoy the excitement of a date night without the hefty price tag. If like me you frequent the same coffee shop each week, Valentine’s day could be the perfect time to broaden your horizons and expand your tastes.
12. Write a Song
If you are particularly musical you could always express your feelings through song. This is much more personal than any gift you could buy and will leave your partner shocked and touched by your thoughtfulness and the effort you put in. This will make for a truly unforgettable Valentine’s Day on a budget!
13. Volunteer Together
Strengthen your bond by spending the day volunteering for a cause you both care about. Why not celebrate by giving back to the community and making other people’s Valentine’s Day special.
14. Dance party!
Turn up the music and hit the dance floor! Some of life’s happiest moments can be created with a good song and great company. Share laughs, create lasting memories, and enjoy the simple pleasure of dancing together. When you hit a slow song, you can share in a romantic dance together that will be perfect for any Valentine’s Day.
15. Take a real walk down Memory Lane
Take a literal walk down memory lane in a meaningful location to you. Reminisce about the journey of your relationship by revisiting some important places. Whether it’s where you first met, your first date or even where you were when you swiped right! Celebrate your relationship in a completely unique way to you and see where the rest of the day takes you.
16. Board Game evening
As long as you are spending quality time together, there is no need for Valentine’s Day to come with a hefty price tag! So why not crack out the board games and engage in some healthy competition? Just make sure it doesn’t get too competitive- I don’t want to be responsible for any arguments on Valentine’s Day!
17. Charity Shop Gift Exchange
Challenge each other to find the most thoughtful or funny gift in a charity shop. This is a great idea because you really never know what you might get! Will your partner get you something you might actually like? Or will it be funny if they just get you the most hideous thing in the shop? Embrace the uniqueness of second-hand treasures and add some humour to your celebration.
18. Bake desserts together
Even if neither of you can cook, baking together can be really fun. And let’s face it, Valentine’s Day is not complete without some sweet treats! Go all out and bake a host of delicious desserts that you can both binge on all night! Great British Bake Off eat your heart out!
19. Make Personalised Gifts
One great way of saving money on Valentine’s Day is by making the present instead of buying the. Handmade gifts can be so much more personal and will hold sentiment for years after. Just maybe start planning soon… you don’t want to end up like Monica and Chandler when they did this!
20. Watch the Sunset
Romanticise your day by watching the sunset together. Capture the beauty of nature’s colours and cherish the moment without spending a thing. If you can manage to get up early enough you could even watch the sunrise instead! Extra points if you can get to a coast to watch the sunset of the ocean…there is nothing like it!
21. Take Scenic Drive
Jump in the car, don’t plan anything and just see where you go. Enjoy a scenic adventure together and see if you can find any places in your hometown that you didn’t know about. As long as you’re together, it doesn’t matter where you are.
22. Have a Home Spa Day
Transform your home into a spa retreat. This can be very romantic, especially if you exchange massages! Laugh at each other in face masks and simply indulge in a day of relaxation together.
23. Create Photo Album
Create the ultimate keepsake for your relationship by compiling all of your cherished memories into a personalised photo album. This can be a wonderful way to reminisce together and reflect on the journey of your relationship as you revisit all of your favourite moments.
Conclusion
Celebrating Valentine’s Day on a budget doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the sanctity of the celebration or your love for one another. By embracing creativity and appreciating the simple joy of shared experiences, you can create a memorable and meaningful celebration.
In my experience, having an unorthodox Valentine’s Day will often be more fun and much more memorable than any fancy restaurant date.
Feel free to customise these ideas to make your Valentine’s Day extra special and unique to you.
I would love to hear how you spend Valentine’s Day this year, and if you have any more money saving savvy tips to share in the comments below!
Prove to yourself and your partner that the most meaningful gestures come from the heart and never the wallet.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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