Are you looking for a great idea to spend quality time with your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day, but you’re on a budget? You’ve come to the right place! We have lots of ideas to make this the most romantic day of the year!
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and couples everywhere are placing dinner reservations. A nice meal may run you $80+, and add 2 movie tickets on top of that, you are looking at a very expensive night. You’ll be fighting crowds the whole time, and it’s not enjoyable for anybody.
If you are like me, you want to have the cliche Valentine’s Day, but you just cannot afford it this year.
Whether you’re too bored or too poor, there is a budget date for you on this list. Dates are supposed to grow your love; they do not have to be pricey or typical. This Blue Dress wanted to show you a glimpse into the world of endless date ideas that won’t hurt your bank account.
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Free or Cheap Valentine’s Day Date Ideas
1. “Chopped”
Based on the popular cooking series “Chopped”, this date night consists of choosing random edible elements to create a dish. You can work together as a team to beat the clock, or have a little friendly competition to see who can make the best dish! (Just make sure you budget how much each of you spends on ingredients before the date!)
If game show style isn’t your thing, you can still make a romantic dinner together at home. Watch a free cooking class online, brave making your own filet mignon, or make one of these fancy dinner ideas.
2. Crepe Bar
Crepes are the chameleons of the food pyramid. They have endless toppings. You can have dessert crepes, breakfast crepes, bacon crepes, YOU name it! Create a topping bar (buy store-brand items to pinch some pennies) and whip out these delicious treats. Or get creative with whatever ingredients you already have on hand.
3. Fort Night
Unleash your inner child with this cozy night date. Gather all your blankets and pillows and build a fort in your living room! Don’t forget to bring your favorite board games to play inside. You could also watch your favorite old school childhood cartoons! Do you have any favorites in common?
4. Ice Cream Tasting
We all know where the ice cream aisle is in our grocery store. This time, do not hold back. Indulge in the cravings. Buy some of the mini tubs of ice cream and have your own ice cream tasting for less than the cost of dessert at a fancy restaurant!
Make it a double date to spread out the cost and the fun! Is there a better way to say “I love you” than ice cream?
5. Lunch Date
Many people make dinner reservations weeks in advance for Valentine’s Day. Restaurants that do not accept reservations will still be packed from 5-9 pm. Skip the expensive dinner and the crowds and go have a LOVEly lunch with your love. It’s not free, but you’ll save some bucks!
6. Painting or Craft Night
Art allows us to make fun memories together with our favorite people. Make a scrapbook together, a collage of your favorite photos to display in your own home, or buy a 2-pack of blank canvases and paint the night away!
You could also practice a new skill to make something amazing together. You’ll definitely have fun and you’ll have something to keep at the end of the night!
7. Dancing
My husband and I love to dance together. It is completely free (budget win) and Spotify makes it easy to keep a playlist on hand. There a lot of free dance tutorials on Youtube if you want to change things up! Learn to do a fancy dip or turn.
To make it extra special, get dressed up and light candles around the room. Have fun dancing the night away!
8. Fondue or S’mores
For Christmas, each of the sisters at This Blue Dress got a Nostalgia s’more maker. They are amazing, easy to use, and a fun way to have an alternative dessert to your Valentine’s Day. This is another Valentine’s Day date that can be cheaper and more fun if you grab a couple friends to join you!
9. Indoor Picnic
In most states, it is too cold for an outdoor picnic on February 14th, but you don’t have to rule out any picnic; just have a romantic picnic indoors! Lay out a blanket and bring your food to the floor! You could eat classic picnic fair or find some great app deals and have a smorgasbord!
10. Wedding Foods
This is a tip someone told me for an anniversary, but you can use it for the 14th too! Eat foods from your wedding menu, or eat foods that have significance in your relationship. Maybe you had waffles on your first date, so eat waffles!
11. Ice Skating
This fun winter activity is a great date night for February 14th. You can hold hands the whole time and drink cocoa after to stay warm.
12. Steamy Streaming
The local theaters will be packed with kissing couples, and it is not where I want to be on my Valentine’s Day. Hit up your favorite streaming service for a movie of your choice and snuggle up on the couch with your own popcorn and candy.
Add a fun, romantic element by kissing when the characters say a certain word or every time someone kisses on screen if you’re watching a romantic comedy. fun romantic movies.
Here are some of our favorites for a romantic movie marathon.
13. Scavenger Hunt
Make a scavenger hunt around your city for your significant other! You can include special spots between you two to remember the good times, and don’t forget to hit up your favorite dessert place on the trek. Use a free AI service to help you plan your stops and clues. A little creativity can make this the perfect date.
14. JUMP For My Love
Trampoline parks are a fun alternative for you and your significant other. We love finding deals on Groupon for a fraction of the normal price. A little research can help you find some inexpensive local gems. Be active and have a fun time!
For a completely free version, jump on the trampoline together at home if you have one–bet you haven’t done that in awhile. You could also get some fresh air at a beautiful local park for a long walk, bike ride, or stargazing.
15. Eat Cheap Deals
Valentine’s Day is a major holiday which means MAJOR deals. Restaurants will be competing for the customers so shop around for who will give you the best BOGO deals! Do not be afraid of restaurant hopping (it is so fun).
16. Make Your Own Chocolate Covered Treats
Chocolate-covered strawberries will run you $2 or more a berry. Not joking. Make your own budget berries!
Buy melting chocolate from your local grocery store and buy treats that you love to dip: rice krispy treats, strawberries, marshmallows, and maraschino cherries!
You’ll have fun AND save money. Make it a little competition to see whose desserts turn out the prettiest!
17. Go For a Drive with Snacks
Going for a drive is always fun and romantic. Play some soft music or play the newlywed game while driving through the city. Stop to kiss at a favorite spot!
Or be a tourist in your town! Many local museums are free or inexpensive, and so many places have festivals year-round.
Just Google “free things to do or free events in [your area]”, and you might find your new favorite outing!
18. Play the Newlywed Game
This Blue Dress has created our own questionnaire for the Newlywed game. Get to know your spouse with these fun questions.
You’ll learn something new about each other every time you play, no matter how long you’ve been together!
*Copyright © 2019 This Blue Dress. All printables are for personal use only.
19. Soda Mixers or Mocktails
Make your own soda bar for much less than a night out! Torani syrups make a great addition to any soda. Have fun making these delicious drinks on Valentine’s day! We’re big fans of the Brazilian Lemonade and the Blue Shoe!
20. Deliver a Valentine’s Day Card/ Heart Attack Someone
Be selfless this holiday and heart attack someone lonely this holiday! Cut out heart-shaped papers and write sweet notes to them! Compliment them, write funny jokes, anything that will make them smile and feel loved!
21. Hockey Game or Basketball Game
For the sports fans out there, go to an athletic event for your date night! Girls’ games will usually be cheaper, and you can cheer on your local team! College, high school, or professional depending on your budget.
22. Walk Down Memory Lane
Watch your wedding video, make a timeline of your “biggest hits” experiences together, or talk about past love days. My brother-in-law made my sister a heart out of post-its with favorite memories together, and they read them during their Valentine’s Day dinner. It was one of her favorite dates!
23. Book Worm Date
If you’re both bibliophiles, go to one of your favorite places, your local library, and check out the next month’s reads for each other. Bonus points if you throw in a clean romance! Snuggle up on the couch with your favorite beverage for a fun evening of reading.
24. Make Your Own Comedy Club
Couples who laugh together are more likely to stay together! Turn on a free comedy show and have a great time together! We really enjoy Studio C and Dry Bar Comedy.
Make a shared note of your inside jokes or experiences you’ve had as a couple that make you laugh out loud!
25. Express Your Love
A great way to spend a romantic date night is to express your love for each other. Write each other a good old-fashioned love letter (these love quotes will be the perfect inspiration) and share your favorite things about your lover.
You could also sing love songs, play the piano, draw a picture, act out a favorite memory–the sky’s the limit.
Valentine’s Day on a budget doesn’t have to be a drag! We hope one of these romantic Valentine’s Day ideas will add a little bit of spark to your plans for your day of love.
Looking for more creative, cheap date ideas or more Valentine’s Day Inspiration? You’ll love these posts!
- Our Favorite Creative Date Ideas
- Adorable and Easy Valentine’s Day Boxes
- Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Ideas
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