4 Valentine’s Date Ideas on a Budget
Valentine’s Day is just a few days away, and you’re excited for a day of celebrating, but also stressed because money is tight. Maybe you’re saving up for a vacation, or perhaps you simply just want to save money and not spend hundreds on a date night for Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be something to stress over, though.
Need a little date night inspiration? We’ve got 4 Valentine’s date ideas on a budget!
Have a Romantic Night In
Going out to dinner is always fun, but restaurants on Valentine’s Day are often crowded and more expensive. A great alternative to a fancy dinner with a long wait is just to stay home. And there are a number of ways you can make it extra fun and romantic.
Cook your favorite meal or pick up food from one of your favorite restaurants to bring home. Grab some flowers, turn on some romantic music, add some pretty string lights, and get extra cozy! You’ll not only save a ton of money, but you’ll have privacy too. To end the night, be sure to have some wine and desserts and find the perfect movie.
Here are a few Valentine’s Day movie recommendations that you can find on Netflix:
- Love, Rosie ft. Lily Collins and Sam Claflin
- P.S. I Love You ft. Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, and Lisa Kudrow
- Hitch ft. Will Smith, Eva Mendes, and Kevin James
- The Last Summer ft. KJ Apa, Maia Mitchell, Tyler Posey, Jacob Latimore, and many more
- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before ft. Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
- To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (premieres on Feb. 12th)
- The Perfect Date ft. Camila Mendes and Noah Centineo
- The Spectacular Now ft. Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, and Brie Larson
- And of course The Notebook ft. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams
Go Out for Drinks and Dessert
If you’re looking to cut costs somewhere, but still want to spend some time out, this is the way to go. You can eat a cheaper dinner or eat dinner at home and then head out together, or you can do the opposite and eat afterward. Coffee shops, bakeries, ice cream parlors, etc. are all great places to check out if you just want dessert.
Of course, you can go to any restaurant or bar for drinks and desserts, but plenty of places host events for Valentine’s Day. Aquariums, botanical gardens, museums, etc. often host special Valentine’s Day events. Check out events happening in your city.
Spend Time Outdoors
Spending time outdoors is not only free (usually), but it is also romantic. If the weather permits, this is a great option and opportunity to spend some quality time together. If there are local parks, hiking trails, waterfalls, etc. these are all great ideas.
Pack up a picnic and maybe a bottle of wine and head out! Of course, if it’s a bit too cold, a picnic may not be suitable, but you can still take a stroll outside (maybe with some hot cocoa in hand) and then head back in to enjoy a nice, hot meal.
Have a Game Night
Sometimes Valentine’s Day spent with other couples can be fun, too. If you have friends who are also in relationships, having a game night could be perfect! There are so many fun games to play with a group of people, and it’s inexpensive. You can spend a few hours with friends and then go off to do your own thing later in the night.
Here are a few of our favorite options for Valentine’s Day games for a group:
- Valentine’s Day Minute to Win It
- The Not So Newlywed Game
- Great Minds Think Alike
- Murder Mystery
- Who’s Most Likely To?
- Valentine’s Pictionary
You can have a game night with just the two of you as well. There are numerous board games and card games for two, and it’s a great way to bond.
Here are a few of our favorite options for Valentine’s Day games for two:
- Valentine’s Day ‘Would You Rather’
- PitchStorm: Date Night
- Clue: Lost in Vegas
- Dabble
- Connect Four Blast
- Or find more here
Do you have plans for Valentine’s Day yet? Let us know if you’re considering these ideas or if you have a better idea. And Happy Valentine’s Day!
Alyson Pittman is a contributing writer for WBD and a JR marketing associate for Excite Creative Studios, an Atlanta-based creative agency.
Alyson graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelors of Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing. She was in multiple organizations at KSU where she held leadership positions. As a part of the Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority, Alyson held the Social Coordinator position and planned/promoted large events.
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