While Valentine’s Day isn’t a holiday (surprisingly, it’s the usual celebration of love), when it comes to spending, it just might be. The truth is, Valentine’s Day can be a little tough on the wallet, especially in a brave new world where a single movie ticket can cost upwards of $20. The good news: You don’t need money to celebrate your sweetheart if you use a little imagination. After all, celebrating Valentine’s Day is all about spending quality time with the one you love (or those you love, if you’re spend it with friends). The point is, there are plenty of fun and creative routes to romance you can take that won’t leave you broke, baby.
1. Massage exchange
Settle in for the night and pamper yourself with massages. Want to create a spa-like ambiance? Add candles, massage oil, and/or an essential oil diffuser to the mix. Let a relaxing playlist be the cherry on top. If you really want to go all out, prepare foot soaks, bath bombs, and robes. If that seems like a lot, or if you’re both too exhausted to give a massage, you may be able to find a spa deal through Groupon.
2. Organize a DIY photoshoot
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Grab a friend or a selfie stick/tripod to snap some adorable photos, which you can then post around your home and on social media if you’re into that sort of thing. Or, if you’re more of a cheeky Valentine, consider making a DIY Boudoir Photoshoot—either with your partner’s participation or as a surprise gift.
3. Go for a hike
If the weather is nice, go hiking to get some fresh air and admire the beautiful views from up high. Being outside is known to improve your mood, and being together makes it even better. Too much snow for a hike? Consider cross-country skiing or snowshoeing instead. Bring a sweet snack to enjoy once you arrive at your destination.
4. Make it a picnic
Lay out a big, cozy blanket in the park (or in the living room if it’s too cold) and top it with cushions and/or pillows to sit on, lean on, or hug. Light a few candles, put on some music or nature sounds (you could even scatter a few rose petals), and prepare a basket of all your favorite treats, of course, like those chocolate brownies you lovingly made for the occasion.
5. Write each other love letters
If this works for you, consider sharing your letters together, spending a few days working on letters of love and/or desire together. Then spend an evening reading them aloud and toasting to your shared future. A true love, an intense romance.
6. Find a river to skate on
Bundle up and head out for a romantic evening of ice skating (or find an indoor rink). Skating is the perfect Valentine’s Day activity because holding hands is natural. If you’re feeling fit in the winter, you can also brave the elements to build a snowman, have a snowball fight, or go sledding. Whatever you do, remember to follow cuddles and hot chocolate.
7. Take a bubble bath together
If you have a bathtub big enough for both of you, take advantage of it and soak in! Think essential oils, rose petals, maybe even a little champagne (and strawberries!) to make it even more enjoyable. There’s no better way to unwind with your lover.
8. Play sex games
You can of course play classic board games, but why not add a little fantasy to your game? naughty games largely free, but they are also a creative way to extend foreplay and promote privacyDoes anyone really need to justify making sex more playful, creative, lasting, and intimate?
9. Plan a treasure hunt
If you have the energy to put into it, Have fun reliving some of your favorite moments together by planning a cute scavenger hunt. Go the DIY route with handwritten clues that lead to different locations around the house until you reach the final destination and prize (hint: you’re the prize).
10. The couple who cook together
Since it’s a wedding day, you and your partner can choose your favorite desserts and make them together, from scratch. You can also go to a restaurant and order only dessert. Anyway, it will probably end up with chocolate, and Chocolate is an aphrodisiac-You heard it here the first time.
11. Slow dance
Slow dancing is a lost art, but there is no better way to get closer and experience intimacy with the one you love, without any special moves required. Note: kiss is 100% allowed. If you don’t know where to go slow dancing in public, the privacy of your home is perfect anyway. Think of it as an extended cuddle, set to some of your favorite tunes.
12. Make a photo album of your love
Create something you’ll cherish for years to come by creating a scrapbook of your relationship (a real scrapbook, with scissors, glue, etc.!). Of course, you’ll want to print out your favorite photos ahead of time. In this digital age, nothing says “I love you” like a landscape of memories you can hold in your hands!
13. Long distance phone call
For couples navigating love (or at least Valentine’s Day) long distance, We know that video chats offer endless kinky possibilities, just like some intelligently designed sex toys. But let’s not forget the lost art of the phone call. Lovers used to twirl their phone cords around their little fingers until the wee hours of the morning, talking, connecting, polishing their vocabulary, and yes, even when getting dirtyIf you’re separated from your significant other this Valentine’s Day, consider a good old fashioned phone date.
14. Start a tradition
Why not start a meaningful (and budget-friendly) tradition that you and your partner can return to every year on Valentine’s Day? You could grab coffee at the restaurant where you first met; you could make Valentine’s Day a device-free day where you spend some distraction-free time with each other; you could fill a jar with date night ideas and commit to doing whatever comes up each year—you get the idea. Whatever it is, make it something you can do together and look forward to doing.
A love for all. <3