When you think of a Valentine date, visions of flowers, chocolates and a candlelit dinner at a high-end restaurant flash before your eyes. The problem with the set-up is that the couple or so hours of this date can run you hundreds of dollars. The dinner in the restaurant can feel stiff and forced, and may get stiffer when you get the dinner check. There are way cheaper and even more romantic ways to spend that special day of love.
Firstly for food, do not stick to the typical Valentine’s dinner. Parking, traffic, and crowds can dull the romantic fire pretty quick. Instead of dinner, have a sumptuous breakfast or brunch for a fraction of the price and the stress. This leaves you with the rest of the day and night for other activities.
Second, consider having dinner at home. Serving food that you prepared yourself is sometimes more impressive that whipping out the credit card at a French restaurant. Do not forget to include mood lighting, music, and flowers in the set up, so the dinner doesn’t feel like you prepared a meal for a spouse coming home from work.
Third, consider a picnic style outing. This may be a challenge during February in some areas, but laying out a picnic basket on a blanket with a vase of flowers and a Bluetooth speaker for some background music can be more romantic than waiting for a vacant table at a fancy restaurant.
Fourth, try a walk through local parks and museums. Nothing can be more romantic than keeping each other warm and close to each other in nippy weather. Walking through museums or art galleries also allow for some intimate conversation and interaction. Many large museums have coffee shops and restaurants that can provide intimate meals at a reasonable price.
Fifth, save on flowers by buying flowers ahead of time. Buying roses on Valentine’s Day can sometimes cost you twice as much than other times of the year. This means buying arrangements that are more long-lasting. For example, chrysanthemums and lilies can last for more than a week if you place them immediately in a vase of water.
Sixth, consider exploring other nearby neighborhoods that you or your date are not familiar with. The exploration of new places can create some meaningful bonding. Have lunch at a cheaper place where you do your discovery tour.
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