Valentines Day Dates
Cheap Date Ideas for Valentine's Day
Here's our Valentine's Day gift to you: eight romantic date ideas that are fun, creative, and, truth be told, cheap. If you don't have the cash (or patience) for dinner at a fancy restaurant crowded by all of the other couples in town, alternatives abound. These ideas for a date will have you sipping fine wine, sharing an elegant dessert, and filling your head with art and culture. Best of all, they're cheap enough to be part of your regular weekend rotation.
Save Money on Experiences with Coupons and Group Deals.
Cut costs on an experience date by checking out group deals. Use a daily deal site to find bargains on everything from skydiving to bowling to cooking class. You may even find deals on recommended local restaurants or activities. Also, look for coupons from sites such as restaurant.com to save even more money on dining.
Pack a Picnic, Inside or Out.
What's more romantic than being alone with your date, giggling over a bottle of wine and snacks, surrounded by nature? Sure, at this time of year an outdoor picnic is hard to stage in many parts of the country, so improvise. Pick up a French baguette, some cheeses and spreads, fruit, and drinks of choice. With a blanket, warm jacket, hat and gloves, park yourself in the middle of nowhere, wherever that happens to be: the state park, a backyard, the front porch, or even the comfort of your own living room (sans all the winter gear, of course).
Wine and cheese.
Champagne taste on a beer budget? You can still enjoy fancy wine and cheese pairings without the steep restaurant wine markup, which is typically two to three times the bottle's cost to the restaurant. Visit your local wine store or beverage warehouse and ask for recommendations within your price range. Wine merchants are usually happy to suggest good food or cheese pairings for your bottles. If you're feeling adventurous, try wines from emerging wine regions or made from overlooked grapes (these are often a good value), and find gourmet cheeses to match.
Cook a Fancy Dinner for Two.
Good food doesn't have to be fancy. Impress your date with your cooking skills, or laugh about your mistakes afterwards, by making a three-course meal. Look for delicious but simple recipes, like roast chicken or spaghetti carbonara. Regardless how the main course turns out, you'll have spent quality time together. Set the table with candles and your best dishes to enhance the romantic ambience.
Bake a Cake (or Pie or Tart or Souffle...)
Get down and dirty with your honey -- in the kitchen. Spending quality time with your sleeves rolled up will make your flour, sugar, egg, and butter creation truly memorable. Tempting as it may be, try not to eat too much of the batter before it goes in the oven. Your patience will be rewarded with a sweet treat and fun memories. Try this chocolate souffle recipe, and you'll wonder how something that tastes so good can be made with just six ingredients.
Make Chocolate Truffles.
On the off chance that your date is a chocoholic, indulge in super smooth velvety truffles without the premium cost. Chocolate truffles are balls of chocolate ganache, a mix of cream and chopped chocolate. Make a customized set of truffles by picking out fun and unusual ingredients, and have fun decorating. But chocolate is no less romantic when ready-made, so check out our reviews of the best cheap chocolate.
Attend a Concert or Live Show.
Imagine hugging your sweetheart in front of a live band as the music envelops you. Bypass the ticket fees and long lines and check out a local band. Some venues hold multi-band shows for local, underground, and up-and-coming groups, so for a small cover fee (if any), you can enjoy several different bands in one night. Play a game to see who can spot a record company agent first.
See Contemporary Art at a Student Art Show.
Find out what's emerging in the art world. Check out student art exhibits at the local art college or find out which small galleries are holding openings. You may see things that are fresher and more exciting than what's showing in the art museums. A bonus: many gallery openings or exhibits offer a free glass of wine.
[Update: We added a second post with even more Valentine's Date Ideas.]
