Easy Valentine’s Day gift ideas that won’t break the bank

By Amelia Hetherington · · 3 min read
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couple celebrating Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is less than two weeks away but it’s not too late to start planning something special for your partner.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money but still want to do something to celebrate, here are some cheap (and free) date and present ideas!

Date ideas:

Make this Valentine's Day special by planning a date they won’t forget. You don’t have to go out for an expensive meal to have a good night, there are lots of other (cheaper) and just as fun options. Here are some suggestions.

  • Plan a picnic in a romantic location - maybe even somewhere that’s meaningful for the two of you. 
  • Make them dinner - cook their favourite meal and decorate with candles or fairy lights to set the scene. 
  • Similarly, make them breakfast in bed so they start their day right!
  • Have a game night - all you need is a deck of cards or your favourite board game, a bottle of wine and your competitive streak.
  • Do a movie marathon - you could each choose a movie or two that you love and share it with the other person. 
  • Plan a DIY pampering session - plan a relaxing evening where you give each other massages, have a bubble bath and do a face mask together. If you want to splurge on some pampering products, check out Kmart, Big W and Sephora.
  • Try arts and crafts - all you need are things you probably already have lying around the house, such as paper, cardboard, pens and glue. You could even make it a competition or make presents for each other. 
  • Learn a new skill together - you could try knitting, embroidery, or even baking! 
  • Take them on an outdoor adventure - you could rent a canoe or paddle boards or even just go for a nice hike and immerse yourself in nature for the day. 
  • Go camping - take a road trip and go camping or sleep under the stars. You could even do this in your own backyard.
  • Do an escape room - this option costs a bit more money but it’s a fun experience that’s sure to bond the two of you. Check out Adrenaline for more information. 
  • Find a new TV show to binge - with a wide range of streaming services to choose from, you’ve got countless options at your fingertips. Check out Disney+, Binge and Amazon Prime Video for content you might not have thought of. 
  • Plan a trip - whether a pre-planned getaway or you just want to make a fun itinerary, it can be fun to research new places and have something to look forward to.

Present ideas:

Here are some ideas for cost effective presents that won’t hurt your bank account.

  • Buying can be expensive, especially around Valentine's day. Why not pick some flowers from your garden or around your neighbourhood and make your own bouquet.
  • Channel your creative side and make them something - you could paint, write or even make a scrapbook or photo album full of memories. 
  • Make them a spotify playlist full of songs that are meaningful to the two of you. If you wanted to go a step further, you could even burn them a CD. 
  • Use leftover gift vouchers from Christmas to buy a gift. This way, you’re not spending any money from your savings. 
  • Give them an ‘act of service’, make life easier - whether this is their love language or not, it’s always nice to have someone do something for you. Offer to do the washing up or cook dinner for the next week.
  • Give them a personalised coupon for something - for example, you could make them a coupon for a date night that they can redeem anytime over the next 12 months where they can pick the destination. This gives you time to save up!

For more Valentine's Day gift ideas, check out our extensive gift guide! And if you’re after some other low cost gift ideas for other occasions, check out our shopping hub.