Valentine’s Day deserves a good date night — and you can keep most dates cheap even if your love interest has specific tastes. Esquire suggests visiting a trendy pop-up museum, taking a cooking class, bowling or playing arcade games for “old-school” fun, taking a winter hike (with a tumbler of hot coffee), going to a bar for a karaoke or trivia night, scheduling an indoor rock-climbing session or spa day, and 16 other plans. Whatever you choose, none of the magazine’s ideas should cost more than $100, and all focus on a shared experience rather than material goods.
Tag: valentine’s day
Don’t Overspend on Valentine’s Day
The temptation to overspend is substantial on Valentine’s Day — and the nation’s jewelers and chocolatiers encourage it. But you don’t have to spend a lot to make your partner feel special, PopSugar says. Instead of stretching your credit to buy more or more extravagant stuff, try a gag gift exchange or watch a romantic movie. Make handmade vouchers for chores and other favors, or revisit the memories that make your relationship special over a home-cooked meal. If you really need something as a couple, agree on a gift you’ll enjoy together and make a day out of buying it.
A Valentine’s Menu That Only Tastes Like a Million Bucks
With Valentine’s Day arriving midweek this year, you might have a special dinner date set for Friday or Saturday night — and if you’re on a budget, you may be doing the cooking yourself! The ol’ surf-and-turf is a favorite romantic repast, but your options are limited only by your time and creativity. The Kitchn suggests sumptuous starters such as lobster bisque and deviled eggs, main dishes such as grilled branzino and parmesan risotto with shrimp, and decadent “sweets for the sweet” such as panna cotta and dark chocolate brownies, plus adult beverages that are sure to make the mood buoyant.
Crafty Valentines for People and Pets
Nothing says love like a handmade gift, so why not craft your Valentine’s Day cards and gifts? Homemaker extraordinaire Martha Stewart has 37 suggestions for handmade gifts that will help you show your love, including felt coffee-cup sleeves, zip-tie garlands, heart-shaped potholders and even a Valentine’s fortune wheel. Spending the holiday with your pets? Make felt catnip pouches to give your feline friends a little extra love, or try baking some homemade treats for your hounds. The recipients will appreciate your hard work and creativity!
Conquer Valentine’s Day Gift Anxiety Cheaply
Not everyone is great at shopping or expressing their feelings, making Valentine’s Day an anxiety-ridden event. Men wondering how to observe it should consult their partner’s parents and friends for suggestions, ThriftyFun says. Still stuck? Those with kids can give their partners the gift of a few hours of “me” time, entirely alone. Massages — do-it-yourself or professional — make for a relaxing respite from everyday stresses. Hide thoughtful notes she can discover throughout the day. Or volunteer to watch that romantic comedy you’ve been avoiding without complaints. Such gifts cost little, but mean a lot.