Be My (Budget) Valentine: Cheap Valentine's Day Ideas
9th February 2023
Valentine’s Day. Love it or hate it February 14th is not far away, and right now many couples are gearing up for romantic moments and thoughtful gifts for their loved ones.
However, with financial considerations in mind, some may be opting for more budget-friendly options this year. A recent survey by Barclays indicates that a quarter (23 per cent) of Brits planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day are choosing to be more mindful about their spending. On average, those being more cautious expect to reduce their spending by £51.
That's why we’ve pulled together some alternative, more personalised, Valentine's ideas that don’t necessarily need to break the bank.
Roses don’t always have to be red!
We all know that the price of flowers, red roses in particular, goes through the roof in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day. But you don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune to give the gift of flowers. Lots of supermarkets now have their own flowers and you might find that buying them from here will cost you a lot less than visiting the florist. Why not get a couple of supermarket bunches and create your own bouquet? Take off the packaging, use brown parcel paper to wrap them in and tie some twine around them. Not only will you save money, but you’ve also created your own personalised bouquet – what's not to love?
Turn your kitchen into a restaurant
You don’t have to spend a fortune in a fancy restaurant to treat the one you love to a romantic meal for two. Create some ambience with a few candles, a nice tablecloth and some bespoke menus and you can turn your kitchen into your very own restaurant. There are plenty of recipes online to help you create a perfect Valentine's feast and if cooking is not really your thing, then even beans on toast in the right atmosphere can be made to feel romantic.
Plan a wine-tasting evening in
Who doesn't love a bit of wine tasting? And if it's done properly, it can be great fun. Spend the evening together tasting wines that you might not normally buy and turn yourselves into wine connoisseurs for the night. Make sure you have plenty of glasses, your white wine is chilled, and you have some pieces of paper and a pen to write down your findings! You never know you may well stumble across a new favourite together.
Bring the cinema to your living room
There are so many films now available to stream online at home that enjoying a movie night together doesn't have to mean a trip to the cinema. Create your very own cinema at home and surprise the one you love! Design some bespoke tickets for your evening, make sure you have plenty of popcorn and snacks and cosy up on the sofa together.
Make it a game night
Celebrate Valentine's day with a bit of friendly competition against your special someone. Simply dig out your favourite old-school board games (if you already have a few, this idea is totally free). Add in a sweet treat or candlelit dinner and watch the chaos unfold as you play. If you have kids, this can be a fun way to make it a special day for the whole family.
Supermarkets dine in for 2 meals
Not everyone is a Michelin-star chef and if the thought of cooking dinner for your Valentine this year leaves you in a bit of a cold sweat, then a visit to the supermarket might be just what you need! Most supermarkets now do ‘dine in’ deals where you can get everything you need to create a romantic meal for 2 and it doesn't cost the earth! There are plenty of choices when it comes to the food to choose from and with dine-in meals costing anything from £15 - £20 for the two of you (depending on where you shop) it won't break the bank.
Get dressed up, wherever you end up
Even if you're not going out for the evening you can still get dressed up. Why not put your glad rags on and turn off the telly for the evening? Put your favourite music on and enjoy some quality time together. We all lead increasingly busy lives so making the time to spend together could prove to be a perfect evening for you.
Take a moonlit stroll together
Now, of course, it goes without saying that the success of this will depend very much on the weather. But if it is a clear night and it’s not pouring rain or snowing then why not get out for a moonlit stroll? Not only are you spending some quality time together but you’re also getting those steps in for the day! Alternatively grab a couple of outdoor chairs, plenty of cosy blankets, some warm drinks and sweet treats and sit in the garden and gaze at the stars.
As you can see showing someone how much you love them really doesn't have to break the bank. Some of the more creative ideas, and the things that don’t cost a fortune, can feel much more personalised and meaningful than just arranging to have a bunch of flowers delivered so if you’re planning on spoiling your Valentine's partner this year then why not have a go at some of the more inexpensive ways to do it.