15 Cheap Valentine's Day Ideas

Dress for the weather, hop in the car, and drive out to your favorite state park, the beach, or some strip of unexplored terrain where you can have an adventure together! It's the perfect, inexpensive date where you two can step away from your busy lives and enjoy the majesty of the natural world. 

With the addition of some cheese, crackers, and a bottle of wine, you could also have a bonus romantic picnic out in the wilderness. 

For the goal-oriented romantic partners, coming up with a to-do list can be a fantastic and fun way to celebrate together. Print out this easy to-do list worksheet (it's free!), write down your favorite activities together, and spend the day crossing out all of the amazing mini-dates you go on! With a to-do list, the world truly is your oyster, and you can make your Valentine's Day is relaxed or intense as your list-loving heart desires. 

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This cheap Valentine's Day date idea is for bookworms! If you're like me, finding time to visit the library can be difficult when our lives are so busy. If you and your loved one enjoy reading or spending quiet time together, spending the day at the library makes perfect sense! Walk down the aisles of your favorite section and revel at all of the amazing titles you have yet to read. 

For fun, consider picking out a book that your loved one should read, and have him or her do the same for you. Then, find the comfiest couches and just enjoy lounging around together over some good reads in a nice and peaceful atmosphere. 

It's always nice to dream together, and planning a vacation is one way to take actionable steps towards a goal you both want to achieve. It doesn't have to be an expensive vacation, either! There are plenty of places you can visit that won't cost you an arm and a leg, and conveniently, we actually have a guide on Cheap Places to Travel in the US. 

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With a little bit of planning and just a handful of supplies, you could create a puzzling and cute scavenger hunt for your loved one. Using your keen knowledge of every nook and cranny in your home and with some pens and sticky notes, you could transform your living space into one exciting game. 

Don't give too many hints. If they love you, they should be able to figure it out. 

In the back of at least one closet in every home in America, there's a stack of board games that often go unused. Valentine's Day is the perfect day to dust those games off, clear a table, and feel young at heart with the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. 

If, for some reason, you don't have any board games, there are plenty of stores you can visit and take the plunge on a new and exciting game. You can also scour the web for printable paper games or exciting ways to construct your own board games with materials you have around the house. 

Spending time in the kitchen together can be a cathartic and festive event. It's a great way to talk about your day while accomplishing a goal - you both get to eat! Plus, it's quality time where you have to communicate  and work together, which is what Valentine's Day is all about. 

Need ideas for cheap meals? We have ideas for days. 

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With the advent of Redbox and a plethora of streaming rental services, it's never been easier to find something cheap and afforable to watch. Picking out a movie together can be a fun way to gauge each other's interests and talk about your favorite genres, films, actors and actresses, and directors. 

One of the most fun food experiences couples can have together is with a cheese (or charcuterie) board. These boards have smaller portions with a variety of different styles and types of cheeses and meats. They're a convenient way to explore different flavors from cultures all over the world without filling up on any one particular food. While there are many restaurants that serve these types of boards, it can be an exhilirating experience to make your own. 

Set a budget, and visit your local grocery store. Pick out smaller cheese wedges and various deli meats you've always wanted to try. When you get home, lay them out neatly on a wooden board. Don't forget to pick up a bottle of your favorite wine, so you can clink glasses while you explore a world of flavors together. Cheers!

Depending on where you live, there could be plenty of cities or small towns within driving distance that you could explore! Valentine's Day is the perfect day to check off a destination that's always been on your to-visit list. 

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Conversation hearts are the quintessential Valentine's Day classic! Who doesn't love cute little candy hearts with lovey-dovey messages on them? With this homemade recipe, you can custom-make your own messages for your special someone. 

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Is your special someone a reader? Then this fabric heart bookmark is the perfect gift! This easy DIY bookmark is soft and slips over the corner of the book, so as not to damage the pages or the spine. Whenever your significant other uses it, they'll be reminded how much they mean to you. 

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What's the most romantic dish you could make on Valentine's Day? Chocolate fondue. With a slow cooker or Instant Pot, you could whip together a chocolate fondue for you and your special someone to enjoy together. 

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For less than $10, you can make a cute piece of decor to give to your special valentine. It's simple, adorable, and an unexpected way to shower someone with love on Valentine's Day. 

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With just 3 ingredients, you can give yourself and your loved one your own spa day at home! This Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipe is an easy and affordable way to pamper your loved one with that at-home spa experience. 

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