Valentine’s Day can get expensive very quickly. But it doesn’t have to cost a lot. In fact, it doesn’t have to cost you a thing! There are tons of fun things you can do to celebrate the day that are free or incredibly cheap. Here are 20 frugal Valentine’s Day date ideas that you and your special someone will love!
Dress Up for Dinner at Home
If you want to dress up for dinner but you don’t want to pay expensive prices, then dress up for a candlelit dinner at home! You could even use that china you save for special occasions.
Make Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Rather than pay $1 or more per chocolate-covered strawberry, make your own together. You’ll likely see strawberries on sale the week of Valentine’s Day. Pick up a pint and grab a bar of milk or white chocolate. Break the chocolate into small pieces and microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between. Once the chocolate is melted, hold on to the green top of your strawberry and dip it in the chocolate. Lay it in a plate or sheet pan lined with parchment paper and allow to cool completely. Easy-peasy to make a whole batch and it will only cost a few dollars for the ingredients. Feel free to make them fancy with sprinkles or decorating sugar.
Go to an Arcade
Relive your childhood by going to an arcade. Arcade bars are popping up all over in which games are $.25 and you’re just expected to order at least one drink. Bond over old-school games like Frogger or try your hand at some pinball.
Go on a Hike and Have a Picnic
Take a local hike and have a picnic somewhere scenic along the way. Visit your local park website to learn about hiking trails near you.
Have a Board Game Night
Gather up some of your favorite board games and have fun. You can even turn it into a competition and whoever loses owes the other a back rub.
Volunteer to Walk Shelter Dogs
Call up your local dog shelters and see if they would allow you and your date to take a couple of their dogs on a walk! This is becoming a very popular date for couples.
Have a Themed Movie Night
If you stay in, you’ll find every romantic comedy under the sun available on your streaming channels on Valentine’s Day. Rom-com’s not your thing? Have a movie marathon and watch a whole franchise like Back to the Future or Jurassic Park!
Attend a Local Concert
Organizations such as your local community center and library host free concerts. Check out the schedule in your area for the perfect, free Valentine’s date night.
Watch the Sunset
Head out somewhere special and watch the sun go down together. Make it extra special by bringing a blanket to wrap around you both.
Do a Valentine’s Day Photo Shoot Without a Pro
You don’t need a professional to do a photo shoot. Use your phone and a stand to do a fun shoot with as many outfits and location changes as you want.
Have a Snowball Fight
If there is still snow on the ground where you live or there’s snow just a short drive away then go out and have a good old fashioned snowball fight! Afterward, cuddle up on the couch together with a hot drink.
Build Pillow Forts
Break out all your pillows, the couch cushions, sheets, blankets, and Christmas lights and if you don’t live with your other half have them bring theirs over too. Then put together a massive fort, complete with Christmas lights.
Take a Tour of Your Town
See if there is a local tour of your town that you can go on, and if there isn’t one make one of your own and play tourist! Being frugal doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the wonderful things in your town. You’ll probably be surprised at what all you can enjoy without spending any money.
Start a Garden
February is the perfect time to start a garden. Even if you live in an apartment you can grow a few plants in a window. So go shopping together for seeds, planter boxes, and everything else you’ll need for the planting later that night. As the plants grow you’ll both be reminded of how much fun you had planting them.
Do a DIY Project Together
Pour some wine, turn the lights down low and… put together some IKEA furniture? It may sound a little strange, but you will have a blast. Better yet, finish a project that both of you have been putting off for a while. Frugal and your loved one will finally quit hounding you!
Dance in a Field
Recreate a romantic scene from dozens of movies by going dancing in a field lit only by the headlights of your car. You can decide if there is music playing or not.
Cook Together
Rather than going out and spending far too much on a fancy meal, cook together at home. Making it a team effort makes it all the more fun.
Upscale Dessert
If you still want a little bit of that going out feeling then eat at home or even at a food truck then head out for a nice upscale dessert.
Go Ghost Hunting
Do some research on buildings and areas of your town that are supposedly haunted then put them together and make a ghost hunting route.
Cloud Watch and Cuddle
Lay down a blanket and cuddle as you watch the clouds roll by. If you’d prefer to star-gaze, you can check out telescopes from your local library for free!
What other frugal Valentine’s Day date ideas do you have? Comment below with your suggestions or pop over to our private Facebook Group to join the conversation there!
If you need ideas for a budget-friendly Valentine’s Day dinner to cook, check out my Recipes page for inspiration. And for even more money-saving ideas, make sure to visit my Frugal Living page.
