Yahoo Finance Frugal Alternatives to Dinner on Valentine's Day
Dinner is a wonderful way to spend an evening with your significant other any day of the year, and for many people this is a default choice for Valentine's Day. But on this particular night of the year, especially when Valentine's Day falls on a weekend, restaurants can be crowded and expensive. Not only can an alternative date idea cost less money, but you could earn bonus points with your partner if you think a little outside the box.
Stargazing. What's more romantic than gazing at the stars together? If you live in a rural area or out in the country, you're likely blessed with clear views of the night all the time. A blanket, warm clothing and a thermos of hot chocolate is an easy yet memorable way to spend the evening, and it doesn't cost a dime. And for those of us that are city-dwellers, there are still ways to enjoy the stars. Do a local search to see where you can find an observatory -- usually a museum or university will have one and offer public nights for stargazing.
Sledding and hot chocolate. Keeping with the outdoor theme, channel your inner child and tackle the biggest hill in the neighborhood for a day of sledding. You may already have sleds at home, but if not you can usually find some at your local hardware store. Stop by a cozy coffee house afterwards to warm up and have great conversation.
Bowling. It may not seem romantic at first, but after a fun night of friendly competition in the bowling arcade, you may find it's the kind of fun you and your significant other were looking for. There are usually pool tables and other games also available to play, made complete with low-key beverages and finger foods.
Movie night. A trip to the movie theater could easily cost you more than $50 for a pair of tickets and snacks, and that's before you've even considered dinner. Instead, you can have a movie marathon at home for just a few bucks. Movies are free at your local library -- they have new releases, too -- or you could pick up a few DVDs at a nearby Redbox. Agree that you each get to pick one, and make it a double feature. Don't forget to stop at the dollar store for your favorite candy and popcorn.
Wine tasting. If you and your Valentine love wine, look for an affordable wine tasting in your area. Many wine shops will host tastings for free, and the experts there can even point you in the direction of the best affordable wines the shop has to offer. If you're looking for something a little more formal, check out wine tours on Groupon or another discounted site. These tours are typically guided by experts and take you to a few different restaurants for wine and food pairings at a flat rate.
Visit a museum. Walking through a museum, aquarium or arts center is a perfect way to spend a cold winter day, and gives you the chance to spend your time together talking and discussing everything you see. Many museums offer free or discounted admission to local residents or all visitors -- look online in advance to see how you can get the best deal on tickets.
Scavenger hunt. This idea takes quite a bit of thought and preparation (you'll want to start now) but can give your significant other a fun and surprising way to find out how much you care. Set up a treasure hunt and with each new destination; leave a clue for the next place you'll be visiting. Clues can quiz them on details about your relationship (bonus points for sentimentality). End the scavenger hunt with a candlelit dinner, picnic in the park -- even in your living room if it's cold outside -- or a relaxing spa evening at home.
All these ideas make for a thoughtful, unique Valentine's Day your sweetheart will surely remember for a long time to come!
Jon Lal is the founder and CEO of coupons and cash back website BeFrugal.com, which saves shoppers an average of $27 per order thanks to coupons plus an average of 7 percent cash back at more than 4,000 stores.
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