Valentine’s Day — the day of love, over the top gestures and hearts everywhere. It’s no secret that planning the perfect Valentine’s Day for your sweetheart can be overwhelming and costly. The National Retail Federation anticipates Americans will spend an average of $175.41 per person to express their love this Valentine’s Day — but as Jennifer Lopez would say, “Love Don’t Cost a Thing!” Rather than that fancy dinner reservation, here are four budget-friendly at-home date night ideas that will keep you feeling the love, but not empty your pockets!
Wine Tasting with a DIY Charcuterie
Valentine’s Day is all about the red, right? Red hearts, red roses, red…wine! Head to the store with your Valentine, Galentine or Palentine to pick out some wines (or craft beer) to taste test. Find bottles with fun labels that you have never tried and pour them out into sample sized portions – who knows you may find a new favorite!
Pair your wine or beer flight with a variety of cheeses, meats and chocolates for a DIY charcuterie board. Stores like Aldi have a great selection of specialty cheeses and meats for a fraction of the cost you’d pay at a market!
Have an Indoor Picnic
When is the last time you had a picnic? While Michigan doesn’t have the ideal weather for an outdoor picnic in February, that is not to say that the picnic can’t be brought indoors! Toss down your most comfortable blanket in the living room and pack a basket with sandwiches, fruits, treats and your drink of choice. Turn on the fireplace and light a candle or two for a romantic picnic in the comfort of your own home.
Once you’ve had a picnic free of bugs or pokey grass, you may never go back to the real thing.
Build Your Own Heart-Shaped Pizza
You could easily order a heart shaped pizza from Hungry Howie’s, but where’s the fun in that? Make things more interesting by building your own personalized heart-shaped pizzas right at home — include the kids if you’d like!
Set out your favorite ingredients on the counter and have everyone build their pizza to their liking. Even if you just stick to the same toppings you would order on a delivery pizza, anything made with love tastes better!
Dollar Store Movie Night
Ditch the movie theater and make a date out of visiting your local dollar store instead! Pick out popcorn buckets filled with your favorite candy and any other favorite movie theater snacks. Once you have your treats, clear out space in your living room or basement and set up pillows, cushions and blankets for some cozy movie theater seating.
Make the night even more interesting by sticking to a theme! Maybe it’s watching your favorite childhood movies, a Disney movie marathon or binge-watching rom-coms.
Being intentional about showing your affection doesn’t have to be boring, nor does it have to break the bank. You can still enjoy the holiday and show your love how much they mean to you without the stresses of going out! Remember, it’s the thought and time put in rather than the price.