Whether it is your first Valentines Day together or you have already gone through a couple together, planning the perfect get together can be quite expensive. The high-street has to increase the prices of flowers and gifts and finding a restaurant which is not fully booked is impossible. But fear not, you can have an incredibly fun and romantic day which both you can enjoy! Also, if you shop wisely, you can purchase a gift that is much more affordable and that your partner will love.
Depending on your schedule, you can cook a meal at home, or you can dine out for a cheaper price tag. You can take the chance to go out for the evening and tuck into some delicious street food, or you can make a fresh meal at home for less than £10pp. There are plenty of choices here for almost any kind of couple. Get ready for some fun ideas and to impress your SO with some of these smart picks. Here are the best cheap Valentine's Day ideas that your loved one will love.
EATING OUT ON A BUDGET
Dining out can be quite challenging on Valentines Day if you're planning to eat in a restaurant as many people reserve tables weeks or sometimes months in advance. However, you can still eat out and tuck into some delicious meals for a much friendlier price tag. One of my favourite date recommendations is to go out and try some local street food. I discovered a place called Assembly Underground in Leeds which serves authentic Indian, Brazilian, Italian, Greek and American street food. From freshly made pizza, halloumi fries, falafel wraps, grilled meat, you've got endless options that cater to your taste buds. For just £8 (£4pp), You can mix and match and share a multicultural platter with a beer or cider.
A ROMANTIC MEAL IN
When it comes to selecting what to cook for your valentines date, you want to pick a dish which both of you will enjoy eating for this special occasion. One of the meals that I rarely get the chance to make is steak. So, I found two steaks in Aldi for £ and made some homemade sweet potato fries, legumes and made a batch of brownies with remaining chocolates from Christmas. This whole meal added up for just £7.50 ( £3.25pp).
GIFT BUYING
When it comes to finding the right gift for Valentines Day is about the sentiment behind the present and not the price. You can find some romantic or funny cards and personalised pieces of jewellery on Etsy which fit within your price range. You can filter down your maximum spend and find a gift which is within your budget. I managed to find a J charm and gold chain for £2.80, which worked out much cheaper than the majority of the premade necklaces on the website ( Average was £16).
Another item which is quite hard to purchase on v-day is flowers, so I would recommend getting these a few days in advance and find a batch which hasn't fully bloomed! The reason why this is a great idea is that it can grab a bouquet for a much lower price before they sell out which have blossomed just in time to give to your valentines.
However, if flowers aren't your dates cup of tea, you can get creative in other ways and make some romantic gifts with items already in your household. I recycled an old jam jar and used a piece of floral fabric to make a cute little note jar. These messages can be words of appreciation, compliments or date night ideas as it will show your love on that you value them and the time you have together.
Here are some useuful tips to help you can save money this Valentine's Day;
Avoid restaurants and try street food - Valentines Day is one of the most challenging times of the year to reserve a table at a restaurant. However, you can enjoy a pleasant dining experience if you choose to eat elsewhere in a much more casual surrounding. Opting to eat street food will allow you to try some new cuisine or tuck into a dish that both of you love for a much lower price.
Get your flowers a couple of days in advance - Avoid the risk of them selling out by grabbing your bouquet in advance. Pick a bunch of flowers which haven't fully opened yet so it will be fresh just in time for valentines day.
Make use of the food you have at home - If you're cooking at home, try and make use of the chocolate and sweets that are roaming around in your cupboards. You can make some tasty desserts with ingredients from your fridge for you and your partner to enjoy.
Recycle household items to make personalised gifts- Don't be afraid to get creative and make a present which your partner will appreciate. Remember is the thought that counts so you can make some romantic gifts which can help you plan your next date or remind them of how much you adore them!
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