1. Enjoy dinner and a movie at home.
Dinner and a movie is a total date night classic—but it can get real pricey real quick. Dinner at a nice restaurant means leaving a tip (always tip, especially on holidays!). And movie ticket prices are so high it feels like you ought to at least get a high five from the actors in real life for what you just spent to watch them on the big screen. Here’s how you can take this classic date and give it a thrifty twist. Set up a candlelit dinner at home and watch a romantic movie on whatever streaming service you already have. While everyone else is scrambling to find a reservation and a babysitter, you can relax at home.
2. Go on a picnic.
If the weather is nice, get outside. Pack a couple sandwiches or visit Aldi for a bottle of wine and everything you need to make a delicious and budget-friendly charcuterie board–complete with cheese, crackers and fruit. Yum! Then find a quiet spot together to kick back, relax and enjoy each other’s company. You don’t have to splurge at a four-star restaurant to connect with your special someone. And if the weather outside is too cold for a picnic (you know, winter and all), then lay out a blanket, turn on a YouTube fireplace, and have a cozy picnic right there on the living room floor.
3. Have a game night.
This is an ultimate cheap date night. Who doesn’t love a good board game and a little friendly competition? Dust off a few classics from your closet or buy (or borrow) a new game. Are video games more your thing? Then you can go that route too. All that gaming will probably make you hungry, so have some Valentine’s-themed snacks on hand. Pick up some red velvet cupcakes, candy conversation hearts or the gold standard—a heart-shaped box of chocolates.
4. Visit a museum.
Tickets to a local museum usually aren’t too crazy expensive. And sometimes you can even find coupons or free culture passes through your local library. Learn a little about art or history—and each other—as you wander through the marble halls. Point out your favorite (and least favorite) pieces. Or, if you want to give the date a fun new twist, make up new names for the artwork or pretend to be stuffy art critics. Combine this idea with your home-cooked dinner and a movie or game night, and you’ll have a packed day full of fun.
5. Take a hike or enjoy an easy nature walk.
Pack a lunch, grab a few water bottles (or kombucha, for you super healthy people), and hit the trail. There’s nothing like getting away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and getting into nature to help you connect. You’ll be amazed at the quality of conversation you can have with someone while you’re hoofing it up a mountain or moseying along a quiet trail in the woods. And bonus points for all the fresh air and exercise you’ll get in. It’s Valentine’s Day, after all, so why not get your heart in shape while you’re at it? (And if the great outdoors is so not your thing—ahem, guilty—a long walk through the neighborhood works too.)
Prompt from 150+ Best Blog Post Ideas for February at HappilyDwell.com