My husband and I like to surprise one another with creative and unique gifts and experiences. However, these tokens of affection can often get pretty pricey. For Valentine’s Day this year, we decided to forgo our .and cap the budget at twenty dollars per person. Impossible? Not at all. You’ll just have to think outside the box and use your imagination!
Save a few bucks with some of these ideas:
- Dinner and a Movie: Women are often told that the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. If you believe it to be true, skip the processed and over-processed food and give him a meal that will keep him around for a while! Start your day with a trip to the local farmer’s market. The vibrant colours of reds, yellow and green fruits and veggies make for a beautiful and delicious meal! Pick your own ingredients for a hearty meal (some suggestions: Chicken Parmesan, Shrimp Alfredo, or Broiled Lemon/Pepper Salmon and Roasted Asparagus). Serve your feast with sparkling wine or champagne. For a nice dessert, try chocolate fondue or paint! Make a quick trip to RedBox and for a buck, you can rent a romantic comedy that will be a great companion to your fancy feast. Suggested rentals: Love Happens, The Ugly Truth, The Proposal, or My Life in Ruins.
- Ice Skating & Boxed Lunches: Whether married for years or dating for the first time, nothing thaws the heart quite like a trip to the rink! You’ll get a kick out of watching others fall on their rears, and if you’re lucky you’ll get to cozy up with your special someone. Check your local paper for the best outdoor rinks in your area. For those living in the area or willing to take a quick trip, the Rockefeller Center in New York has a romantic setting any time of day! Admission is $19. Skate rentals begin at $9. Skip the expensive restaurants and pack up a few sandwiches, fresh fruit and homemade cookies to save a little cash!
- Indoor Camping Trip: S’mores anyone? Feel like a kid again and create an evening you’ll never forget. Go all out and pitch a tent right in the middle of your living room. If you have a fireplace, you can really use your imagination. Stock up on your favorite treats and get ready to exchange your favorite horror stories. Make sure you have plenty of soft pillows and if you don’t have a sleeping bag, a down comforter will do just fine! This is the perfect date for those who are snowed in this weekend!
- Indoor Picnic: Similar to the camping trip, you can romance your honey by bringing the outdoors “in” with a picnic and scavenger hunt. Get a wicker basket, a plaid tablecloth and really make the details work for a setting that truly says “romance.” Pull out the scented candles and dress the room with sheers and roses. For your picnic menu, keep it light! Chocolate covered strawberries, fresh-baked cookies, Italian bread, cheese, olives, hummus and a bottle of wine! Place a heartfelt card or love letter into the basket to complete this gift!
- DIY Photoshoot: A picture is worth a thousand words; or more, if you have a little fun with it! The photoshoot can be as innocent or risque as you would like. Think about your costume, your setting (outdoor or indoor), and your theme, if you select one. Is your partner a sports fanatic? Maybe he’ll think of you the next time he’s watching the game. With the winter season at its peak, you may want to capture a background of snow-capped trees so bundle up and snap away. At the end of your photoshoot, you can both select your favorite pictures and create an online album together.
Here are a few other ideas:
- DIY Massage
- Spice it up with a Dance Lesson: Salsa!
- Night at the Museum
- Tap into your Artistic Side-Take a pottery class or take your honey to a Color Me Mine! location and have fun painting your own pottery!
- Fondue Fun!
If you need help executing any of these ideas, email me krystal@socolourful.com!