If you want a romantic dinner

If you want a romantic dinner
istock

For a cheap Valentine’s Day date, stay in. You automatically spend more money when you go out because you pay for service and atmosphere plus your entrees. Luckily, you can recreate that romantic ambience at home for free. For a fun and cheap Valentine’s Day idea, switch up the feng shui and eat in a room other than your kitchen. Have a picnic by the fireplace or dozens of candles. (Mood lighting is everything.) Sprinkle rose petals around the floor. Make your menu mean something. If you got Chinese food on your first date, eat Chinese. End with a light dessert, like sorbet garnished with mint.

Here are a range of cheap and cheerful gifts to keep you in the good books..

If you want to get away

If you want to get away
istock

Websites like tripadvisor and Airbnb let you travel across the country (or just across town) without exorbitant hotel prices. Or you can give your home that clean resort feel by cleaning up the clutter.

If you want the perfect gift

If you want the perfect gift
istock

For a cheap but meaningful Valentine’s Day gift, you’re better off buying an experience rather than a present you can wrap, according to science. Researchers at San Francisco State University found that people were happier when they bought experiences rather than material objects. Lucky for you, Groupon, RedBalloon, and many other sites have deals for different Valentine’s Day date night experiences, like wine tastings, glass blowing and BYO paint nights.

Here are 10 reasons why you should celebrate Valentine’s Day.

If you want to buy flowers

If you want to buy flowers
istock

Buy them at a store that keeps them refrigerated. Never buy flowers online or from a roadside stand. When you’re searching for the perfect bouquet, make sure it has tight buds. That way they’ll stay open longer when they do blossom. If they’re already open, they won’t last more than a day or two, though you can always try tricks to make flowers last longer.

If you want to buy jewellery

If you want to buy jewellery
istock

Buy it in from a licensed jeweller. Online diamond dealers may not actually have certified stones. When it comes to diamonds, look for the four C’s: cut, carat, colour and clarity. For gold, make sure it has the manufacturer’s trademark close to the carat stamp. But don’t feel pressured to choose diamonds just because they’re “traditional” or expected. Rubies, sapphires and emeralds are more rare than diamonds, equally beautiful, and somehow still less expensive. A Claddagh ring also makes a meaningful gift with its symbols of love, friendship and loyalty.

If you want to be sentimental

If you want to be sentimental
istock

Make something from the heart (it’s the perfect combination of a Valentine’s Day gift that’s inexpensive but meaningful). Make a collage of your favourite photos as a couple or photos from different stages of your relationship. Create a playlist of his or her favourite songs. Organise a gift basket filled with notes or trinkets referencing inside jokes. Creativity is one of the most sincere ways to say “I love you.”

Here are some very romantic love letters written by famous people.

If you want to be adventurous

If you want to be adventurous
istock

Explore your city. Go horse riding or ice skating. Visit a museum. Take a dance class. Some theatre companies have special Valentine’s Day deals for couples that include pre-show events. Set up a scavenger hunt around town. Granted, this involves a great deal of planning and coordination with different venues to hide clues, but how much fun would it be?!

Next, check out these 40 romantic ideas to say ‘I love you’.

Sign up here to get Reader’s Digest’s favourite stories delivered to your inbox!

Source: RD.com

Never miss a deal again - sign up now!

Connect with us: