When we think of cost-free romantic activities, long walks on the beach or hazy days in the park spring to mind – both of which double up as budget friendly date ideas.
Unfortunately, the fact that Valentine’s Day falls in February, coupled with the UK’s unpredictable weather, means these options are a tad on the unrealistic side, unless a ‘The Notebook’-style soaking is on the agenda!
For those planning a Valentine’s activity this year – whether that’s for a diamond anniversary, a new flame, old friends, or just some me-time – we’ve put together a list of indoor ideas that won’t break the bank.
Board games night – it might be overdone on ‘things to do on a rainy day’ lists, but sometimes it can be refreshing to go back to basics, although choose carefully - games like Monopoly might test even the longest of marriages. To add a romantic spin, we’d recommend modifying Jenga blocks with writing: if you’re feeling introspective, prompts like ‘tell me your favourite memory together’ or ‘tell me a piece of advice you’d give your former self’ can be a fun way into a meaningful conversation.
Portrait painting – setting up the easels, or even just a pen and paper, can be a creative and low-cost date activity. It doesn’t have to be like Titanic – if the finished product bears no resemblance to the subject, it can be even more entertaining.
Dinner date at home – some restaurants increase their prices on Valentines’ Day due to the large volumes of customers, and even if you’re prepared to pay, it can be tricky to get a reservation. We’d recommend a romantic dinner in – try switching it up with themed cuisine that won’t break the bank, such as homemade pizza or sushi (try avocado or tofu in lieu of expensive fish). Or, flip it on its head and do breakfast for dinner, taking things one step further by wearing your pyjamas.
Scrapbook – making a scrapbook with a partner or your friends can be a great way to pause and reflect whilst getting creative. If you’ve known each other a long time, try going all the way back to when you first met and picking out photographs which mean the most. If it’s a newer relationship, flip the activity on its head and look to the future, by scrap-booking a mood board for something you’d like to do together, or any long-term goals you have.
