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Some cheap valentine’s date ideas just seem downright tacky – so if you’re on a budget, you couldn’t be blamed for feeling a bit of dread when it comes to planning a romantic valentine’s day for your partner. However, there are plenty of super thoughtful date ideas and gifts that are perfect for budgeting couples – here, I’ve listed 20 of them.
Do you have plans for valentine’s day yet?
A good excuse to spend quality time with your significant other, valentine’s day can be a source of worry for many couples trying to stay on budget.
The good news is that valentine’s day most definitely does not have to be an expensive affair, despite what 5 minutes on social media might tell you.
Below is the ultimate list of fun, thoughtful, and cheap valentine’s date ideas and gifts that your partner will love – without getting off track with your spending.
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Cheap Valentine’s Date Ideas
1. Winter Hike
For some parts of the world, February means clear blue skies and hot weather – but for a lot of the rest of the world (including us here in the UK!), it means brisk, cold weather and the beginning of the transition from Winter to Spring.
This can make the perfect weather for a winter hike, provided you both wrap up warm! Do some research for picturesque hikes in your local area for the perfect free valentine’s day date.
2. Bowling
Bowling is a pretty inexpensive date idea for valentine’s day for couples on a budget. This can also be a good activity for couples in the beginning stages of your relationship. Rather than go through an intensely romantic meal surrounded by other couples, bowling takes a bit of the pressure of and makes for a fun bonding activity.
3. Cook A Romantic Meal At Home
Don’t fancy braving the couple-crowds? Cooking a romantic meal at home can be a great cheap valentine’s date idea. A romantic meal doesn’t mean an expensive meal, either. This article has some great meal ideas.
4. A Scavenger Hunt
One for the more creative types – a scavenger hunt can be a cheap but extremely thoughtful valentine’s date idea. You could arrange the scavenger hunt to take place in your own home, or even across your city for a more extravagant adventure!
5. Go On An Outdoor Picnic (- Bring Blankets!)
Similar to the hiking idea, an outdoor picnic gives you a healthy activity to do and can also be a super romantic way to spend the day with your significant other without spending more money than you can afford.
6. Do A Sports Activity Together
Cycling, ice skating, rock climbing, running etc are all perfect activities for the sporty, outdoors enthusiasts amongst us – and can be a pretty frugal and fun way to spend valentine’s day if you want to get away from the standard ‘romantic meal’ routine.
7. Netflix Night In
Who says a night in on the sofa can’t be romantic? Pick a film you both love, order takeout or cook a meal, and cosy up on the sofa under a blanket.
8. Find Frugal Restaurant Options
If you really want to head out for a meal in a restaurant, make use of valentine’s day vouchers and deals that are no doubt abundant at this time of year. Some restaurants offer early bird deals which can be a great way to save some money and avoid the busier crowds later in the evening.
9. Be A Local Tourist
Simply wandering through the streets with your significant other can be the makings of a fun, memorable day without any extortionate expenses. Go check out local markets, tick of some landmarks of your local area, and just see what happens as you explore where you live with fresh eyes!
10. Make a photo album together
Get crafty together and make a photo album. It could be of your holidays together, maybe a cute compilation of your pets, or a timeline of your relationship (cheesy but cute!).
11. Go to a museum or art gallery
Museums and art galleries are typically free to enter, and a really nice way to spend the day without having to fork out a lot of money as you do for other activities. Check out if there are any new exhibitions in the museums and galleries near you that you could check out together.
12. build a fort
A bit different – but that’s part of the fun! Get nostalgic together and build a fort with all the blankets and cushions you have in your home – then, stick on a movie, play some board games, or just enjoy hanging out in each other’s company!
valentine’s gift ideas
13. Acts of service
You don’t need to spend a lot of money in order to show someone you love them. Acts of service such as cooking a meal from scratch, cleaning your entire apartment, running your partner a luxurious bath, giving them a massage, writing them letters – these can all be ways of showing your partner just how much they mean to you.
14. Cards
A card costs about $3, but it’s the thought behind it that really means something to the person you’re giving it to. Write a thoughtful message about your feelings for your partner – it’s a simple gesture, but can be so thoughtful.
15. Candy / chocolate
Sweet treats are a frugal gift, but who doesn’t like candy or chocolates as a gift? Paired with promises for a night on the sofa, this is a thoughtful and cute gift you can both enjoy…
16. flowers or a house plant
Buying someone flowers is a timeless gesture, and always appreciated. If you want to mix things up a bit, why not buy them a houseplant – just be sure that’s actually a gift they’d like to receive though, as they’ll be the one looking after it after valentine’s day!
17. A homemade gift
A homemade gift could be something like a knitted hat, a cake you’ve baked, or something more extravagant like pottery, woodwork, or homemade candles. If you’re the creative type, this is a fun way to express your creativity and also show your partner how much they mean to you.
18. ‘things I love about you’ book
A ‘things I love about you’ book is exactly what it sounds like – a book listing all the things you love about your partner. Intense, maybe – but very romantic, and very thoughtful.
19. A book
Is your significant other a big reader? Do some research – find out what books they absolutely love, and gift them a book you think they’ll really enjoy. A frugal gift – but with layers of thought behind it.
20. Make them a playlist
The 2020 alternative to making someone you like a mixtape – make them a playlist instead. Make a list of your significant other’s favourite songs, mix in some that mean something to the both of you and your relationship and voila! A free but super thoughtful valentine’s gift.
I hope these cheap valentine’s date ideas have given you some good ideas for thoughtful but frugal ways to spend time with your partner this year!