Free and cheap date ideas for Valentine’s Day

Love it or loathe it, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. It’s that time when stores suddenly become excruciatingly pink and are more inclined to display their chocolate selection. And for those who prefer to be sweet and not salty on Valentine’s Day, it can often feel like our savings are left feeling heartbroken.  

Whether you’re celebrating your first, fifth or fiftieth Valentine’s Day with your partner, you’ll never regret spending it the frugal way, and we’ve got six cheap date ideas to prove it.

Moonlight picnic

Summer may be on the way out, but there’s still no stopping those warm nights. Take advantage of this by setting up a moonlight picnic for you and your partner. 

You can do this in a park or even in your backyard. To prepare, pack their favourite goodies, a bottle of wine, and you’re good to go. Just don’t forget the blanket!

Break out the board games

Depending on who you ask, board games can either make or break a relationship. I mean, let’s face it, how many games of Monopoly have ended positively?

But despite the possibility of a flipped table, board games allow us to indulge in our competitive side, which may actually be quite fun for you and your partner. So this year, why not stay in and challenge your partner to a game of Battleship - loser pays for the next dinner.

Cook a meal together

Speaking of staying in, why fork out money for a three-course meal when you’ve got a fridge full of food at home? Search for recipes online that you can follow and prepare together, then get cooking!

Not only will this help you spend quality time together, but you’ll also be saving your wallet from an overpriced dinner. But just in case dinner doesn’t work out, ahem...takeout can be a reasonable Plan B.

Fort movie night

Because the classic movie night never gets old. But this year, do it differently by creating a fort out of blankets and pillows. There are no rules when it comes to making the perfect fort, but Pinterest can be great for some inspiration.

So, grab your laptop and some popcorn and settle in for a back-to-back movie marathon.

Create a getaway spa in your bathroom

This one might be more for the ladies, but there’s no shame in a man who takes pride in his appearance. For this, you’ll need a pair of fluffy robes, candles and a few ingredients from your fridge.

Get creative by concocting your own homemade face masks and body scrubs. Coconut oil alone makes for a great hair mask, while mixing yogurt, strawberries, and honey can give your complexion the exfoliation it needs.

Go for a long drive

For many Aussies, driving can be quite therapeutic (unless you're with your mother, who keeps nagging that you’re too close to the curb). While the sun goes down, jump in the car and go for a nice, long drive with your partner.

Make an effort to put the phone away and focus on the conversation instead. Many of us also open up more on road trips simply because there’s nothing else to do, so speak your mind and let the truth set you free.