With Valentine’s Day approaching, finding date night ideas on a budget can be tricky. Are expensive flowers, jewelry, and lavish dinners the only way to say, “You’re the one” to the one you love?

Absolutely not.

Celebrating your relationship shouldn’t require you to bust your budget each year. But you should celebrate it. Why? Because even the best marriages can benefit from a holiday bump to the everyday kindness, attention, and love that is shown throughout the year.

Just remember, the point of V-Day or any occasion shouldn’t be how much you spend. It should be the fact that you’re together and enjoying each other’s company.

So, here are my suggestions:

Date night ideas on a budget

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Watch a movie

Whether it’s a new release in the theaters or an old favorite at home, spend a couple of hours watching something you both like. If you’re home, pop some popcorn and make fun snacks beforehand. If you’re out, grab a coffee afterward and chat about what you liked or didn’t like about the film.

Create a memory box

This can be as simple as a shoe box or as ornate as you want to make it. Fill the box with favorite photos and little notes or letters from your past experiences and trips together. Talk about them and reminisce as you place them inside. This can be fun to pull out each year, adding to it over time.

Cook dinner together

If food and cooking are your passions, make an elaborate meal together—the only limit is your food budget. And if, like me, you are married to someone who likes cooking when you don’t, volunteer to assist. Kitchen kisses are twice as sweet when sauce is simmering on the stove.

Take a walk

Whether it’s strolling the neighborhood or taking a walk downtown, holding hands and taking in your surroundings can be a relaxing and fun experience. Sit on a bench and people-watch, or just chat. This brings you back to the days when you were just happy to be with one another.

Hit happy hour

Dress up and go to a nice restaurant that offers happy hour. You can usually find decently priced food and drinks for a fraction of what it would cost to eat in the actual restaurant. Happy hour is a great date night idea on a budget, with still a touch of the razzle-dazzle.

Netflix a favorite show

Spend the night curled up together on the couch with homemade snacks and your favorite show. Or try something new you’re both interested in. And it doesn’t have to be a serial series—my husband and I love House Hunters and Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.

Play a board game

If you’re both a little competitive (but good sports), dust off Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, or The Game of Life for your date night on a budget. Amazon offers them for pretty cheap, and you can also find digital versions for your tablet.

Work on a creative home project

If you’re homeowners, you probably have a few things you’d like to do together. Whether it’s assembling furniture, painting, or rearranging the living room, being productive can be twice as fun when you have your favorite person sweating right there beside you.

Try something new

Step out of your comfort zone for a frugal date night. There are a lot of places you can visit that offer free introductory classes, such as for cooking, dancing, etc. Give one a try and laugh together as you learn together.

Visit your local animal shelter

If you’re animal lovers, take a trip to your local animal shelter. With so many abandoned animals and limited staff, taking the dogs for a walk and offering affection to these pets is a great way to bring out the best in both of you. This date night idea is on budget (free!) and a good reminder of your other half’s best qualities.

Wine and canvas class

These classes are popular because they’re not that expensive and they’re tons of fun. Encourage each other’s inner Picasso as you attempt to replicate a still life or landscape.

Couples massages

Massages aren’t always the most frugal date night idea, but you can swing it. Instead of full body, just get foot massages for half the price. You can also see if a massage school in your area offers cheap massages done by students as part of their training.

See a game

Live sporting events are seriously expensive these days (even with Stubhub), but minor league games can still fit in the date night budget. You can also check out local high schools or universities for cheap (or free) admission and a chance to root for the home team together.

Go Ice skating/roller skating

Strap on your skates for this fun date night idea on a budget. Whether you’re good or not, this activity is always a hoot. Grab some hot chocolate afterward and cuddle up to watch the other couples in the rink.

Use Groupon

Groupon can be your best friend when you’re looking for activities that you both like and fit your budget. Many of the date night suggestions above can be scored for cheaper with the right Groupon.

 

I hope these suggestions will help you have an amazing Valentine’s Day or whatever special day you’re celebrating. Date night ideas on a budget are the perfect way to enjoy each other with none of the guilt.

 

Do you have any frugal date night ideas to add? I’d love to hear your suggestions! Leave a comment below.

 

Interested in more posts about frugality and marriage? Check out these:

5 Ways to Save Money Right Now

Why the Small Things Matter in Marriage

How to Love Your Marriage Right Where It’s At

 

[Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own and I never recommend anything I haven’t used myself and loved.]