VALENTINE: Inexpensive ways to have a romantic time

In this article, we'll share five no-cost Valentine's Day date ideas to help you show your love and appreciation on a budget.On a day that’s all about love, for those that are in relationships, just starting one, or are single, some serious time, energy, and stress can go into ensuring that the day goes as well as possible. Is it worth getting all worked up for a single day out of the year? Definitely not, and let’s be honest, the other 364 aren’t stress-free, either. 

valentine’s Day might pressure us into spending a lot of money to please our partner. But instead of dropping cash on simple items, creating memories through planning an activity is a better, psychologically-proven way to strengthen a romantic bond. Instead of using money as a testament of our love or commitment, Valentine’s Day can be the perfect time to focus on how well we really know our significant other and plan accordingly. 

Everyone knows that Valentine's Day can be expensive. Fancy dinner + babysitter + roses + gifts + decor + Valentine's for kids… the list goes on and on. But guess what!? Valentine's Day doesn't have to be expensive to be special. In fact, it doesn't have to cost you much at all.

Make Breakfast Together – Forget your diet and splurge on our crunchy French toast sticks recipe! Take this early morning date straight back to the bed (literally) and have your breakfast B&B style. You decide what comes next. 😉

Host a Blindfolded Taste Test – Make a tray of secret goodies for your sweetheart but don't let them see! Cover their eyes with a blindfold, feed them small bites of each food, and see if they can guess what it is. Keep it sweet—it is Valentine's Day, after all!

Make Your Own Chocolate Candy – Forget those overpriced (but sooo delicious) heart-shaped boxes of chocolate turtles and make your own version for cheap. Get messy with it and have fun! Is it really a date in the kitchen if someone doesn't end up with chocolate on their nose??

Make a Bonfire – What could be more romantic than a night by the fire under the stars? Warm up with some homemade hot chocolate YES, please!!

Watch a Movie Under the Stars – Grab a blanket and your laptop or iPad and you've got all you need for a perfect movie night! Find something new on Netflix. Pop some delicious stove-popped popcorn for a special movie snack!

As their answers show, it doesn’t take a lot of money to treat the man/woman in your life on Valentine’s Day. All it takes is a little imagination.

So no matter what else you give your guy for Valentine’s Day, make sure it comes with a generous dose of appreciation. Take the time to tell him — or show him — how much he means to you. That’s a gift that means more than anything money can buy. And it’s something you can always afford. to create a more memorable, meaningful Valentine’s Day, that’s something to celebrate. Ignore the pressure to buy something expensive, and instead, put emphasis on the experience. By engaging in an activity that your partner actually enjoys, they’ll remember it for years to come. And you’ll be even closer to your partner, and will have made it through February 14th unscathed. That’s a win-win scenario, right there. 

Whether you choose to express your love through acts of service and devotion, a handmade gift, or a re-creation of a special moment, the key is to put thought and effort into your celebration.

So this Valentine's Day, forget about the pressure to spend and focus on what truly matters: your love and relationship