Cheap Valentine’s Day Ideas
If I’m being honest I don’t love Valentine’s Day. I’ve never been a huge fan of unnecessary gifts (not to mention unnecessary spending) and I would rather preferto use the holiday as a chance to reserve a chunk of time for my S.O. and me. It’s a great chance to spend some quality time together doing something new that we don’t usually get to do like a Seattle attraction or fun restaurant rather than spending money on gifts that no one really needs. With that in mind here are five great Valentine’s Day ideas that won’t require a ton of money and promise to still be a great way to be a little romantic and spend some time together (PS: If you’re single these ideas would also work great with a friend and you can still have a great day without the romance).
Make Dinner at Home and Go Out for Dessert- Cooking, and I mean real cooking, is something most college students don’t often have the time to do. Cooking on Valentine’s Day can be a lot of fun and is a great bonding activity. So crack out the recipe book (or check out Buzzfeed for some good ideas) and pick out something that looks like fun. And once you’ve feasted on a great home cooked meal that you two prepared together go out for dessert. By doing this you save money and will still have great food. Some excellent places for dessert not too far away from the UW include Trophy Cupcakes, Hello Robin and Hot Cakes. Happy cooking!
Pick a Restaurant- Many people have a pre-conceived notation that going out on Valentine’s Day means $$$ but the reality is that Seattle has many great restaurants that won’t break the bank. The trick to dining out and not spending a ton of money is to split appetizers/desserts, skip the alcohol and look at the menu before you go. Some of my favorite places around the city that are great but not overly expensive are Din Tai Fung (U Village), Cactus (West Seattle), Twisted Pasty (Downtown), Mioposto (Ravenna) and Tuttabella (Wallingford).
Take a Day Trip- Seattle is great but sometimes it really fun to get out of the city and explore the rest of the state we live in. There are many great day trips that are honestly pretty close to Seattle (1-2 hours away) and offer a great chance to see some new scenery. This idea won’t cost a lot of money (think gas, one meal and snacks) but feels pretty expensive since you are traveling. Some great ideas include Leavenworth, Bainbridge Island, Edmonds and Snoqualmie Falls. All of these options are relatively close and a great way to try out something new. As always be careful driving and make sure, you plan for the weather.
Order Takeout and Put on Netflix- Let’s be realistic, Valentine’s Day falls right in between midterms and finals for most people and honestly everyone is probably a little tired and burned out from all the schoolwork. That being said you totally don’t need to go out and about to have a fun Valentine’s Day. Is there a new Chinese place you’ve been dying to try? Do you have the Postmates app? Then order away, cozy up in some PJs, grad a pint of ice cream and enjoy a movie and evening at home. It may not be the most adventurous evening in the world but if you really take some time just to relax and hang out together, it can still be a fun break from reality. Bonus tip: Try putting your phones in another room so you really have a chance to unwind.
I really hope that these ideas have given you some inspiration and that you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day no matter how you celebrate. Please comment if you have any ideas and suggestions, I’d love to hear any other thoughts you might have!