Forget about showering your loved one with Tiffany and Manolo Blanik. Pleasing your significant other in today’s economy is easier and less expensive than you think. You don’t need oodles and oodles of dough to make your partner feel loved, so scrap your lavish plans – dinner at that 5-star gastronomical establishment, over the top (and over budget) romantic gestures – and think simple this Valentine’s Day!
Taking pleasure in the simple things can be a solution that's great for the relationship and the wallet. With all the pointless glitz and glamor cleared out of the way, you can re-examine why you fell in-love with each other and truly focus on your relationship. Here are some creative and inexpensive ways to inject fun and fervor back into your romance.
Outdoor/Indoor Activities
- Plan a day out in the snow. Snow tubing, tobogganing or building a snow fort can bring out that youthful vigor you both first fell in love with.
- Rent a pair of skates and head down to the ice rink. If it's too cold you can take advantage of the indoor rinks, but it's the outdoor ones that have more ambiance.
- Light a fire, pop some popcorn, and snuggle up to your loved with your favorite movie rental. And why not make s’mores while you’re at it.
- To avoid a chilly afternoon, check out the local bookstore, art gallery or museum. Learning together about art and history will help you discover new aspects of each other.
- Spending the evening helping out at a soup kitchen or an animal shelter is a great way to strengthen your bond while helping those in need.
- You can hibernate with your partner and still have fun. Playing a board game is always a great way to challenge each other. Glow-in-the-dark mini putting and bowling may sound cheesy but it's a great way to keep in shape with some friendly competition.
- Take a trip to the zoo, or a bird sanctuary. Feed the animals and the love. For something more low key, take your dog and your partner out for a stroll.
Creative Valetine's Day Ideas
- Cook a gourmet dinner together. It's true that couples that cook together stay together, so enjoy a nice warm winter meal together with some great wine. If you feel that you're not a master in the kitchen, bring a family member or a friend in to give you two a lesson in Cooking101.
- Find antiques at the local flea market. Make a day out of re-furbishing furniture to make it your own.
- Get some paint, brushes and a canvas. Each paint one half of the canvas and see how the final product turns out!
Entertainment
- Karaoke can be either an entertaining or embarrassing option, but a good one nonetheless!
- There are plenty of outdoor concerts going on around this time of year. The only real cost is that you have to brave the cold!
- Going to a local bar with live music is a great way to get out, dance and discover hidden talent. You might be surprised...
The important thing to remember when planning date-night on a budget is to be creative. Tailor activities to your partner’s interests, or better yet, explore your mutual ones. When you keep things simple (and thoughtful!), not only are you saving money, but strengthening the bond that you share.
 |
