Valentine's Day is not a holiday my husband and I tend to spend a bunch of money on. A day set aside to celebrate love is a great idea--but in reality, Valentine was thrown in the slammer. You can read about that here.
In years past we have used Valentine's Day as an excuse to try out fancy restaurants we've never eaten at before. When we don't do that, we try to find something creative and cheap to do.
This year our budget is tighter than a fat man's belt so we'll definitely be going for the creative and cheap Valentine's Day. I've compiled some ideas--some cliche and others not--for celebrating Valentine's Day on the Cheap. Feel free to leave your own suggestions in the comments.
Plan a Picnic: Picnics are fun, easy, and way cheap. Pack a nice blanket to sit on and take your honey on a nature hike. Don't live near a nature preserve, beach, or mountain range? That's ok! Head out to your local park. Lakes, rivers, and ponds are great ideas too. Are you in the city? I'm sure your uptown area has a place with benches and modern art. Too cold? Clear out your living room floor and add some candles to make the everyday scene new and special.
Pack mess free food--I recommend sandwiches. Chicken salad sandwiches are easy and delicious. You could also try a theme--how about a trip back to childhood? Pack PB&J, string cheese, and an apple. Throw in some fudge rounds and chocolate milk and you're set!
Walk the Dog: Yes, really. You'd be surprised how much fun walking your dog can be. My husband and I try to walk our dog together at least once a week. We walk about two miles. We hold hands. We talk. The dog sniffs everything and enjoys himself. It's a lot more fun than it sounds. Plus it's free. You could also try taking the dog to a dog park.
Cook a Meal Together: Drag out the cookbooks and find something you can make together. Not a chef? Make some sugar cookies. Remember helping your mom roll out the dough and cutting pretty shapes out at Christmastime? Remember adding sprinkles and frosting? Remember how fun it was? Guess what? It's still fun.
Take a Bath: Add some bubble bath or bath salts to the running water, turn on some relaxing music, light a few candles, and enjoy. My husband surprised me with a bubble bath for Valentine's Day a few years ago and it was one of the best gifts I've ever gotten. If you're like me and you're always on the go nothing beats some quality relaxation time.
Pizza and a Movie Night: Take a trip to your local Redbox. It only cost a dollar to rent a new movie. Order a pizza or grab a frozen one from your local grocery, and you're all set. You could even rent a movie you've already seen--that way you can talk while you watch.
Write a Love Letter: It may sound corny, but if you're honest about how you feel it can be one of the most meaningful gifts your significant other will ever receive. Not sure how to put what you feel into words? Find a love poem that you really like and copy it down onto pretty stationary (just make sure you give the author credit). Add a single flower and you're all set. If you're an artist you could also try drawing or painting a picture for your heart's desire.
Go Somewhere New: Whether its walking around downtown, window shopping at a new store, touring a local winery, or going on a meandering country drive--experiencing something new together is fun and keeps your relationship fresh.
I'm thinking the hubby and I will be doing the pizza and a movie thing this year. It's fun and I can do it in my pajamas. What are you doing to celebrate the holiday? Do you have any cheap and easy ideas? Please share!
