MoneyMagpie Editor and financial expert Vicky Parry shares some ideas for cheap Valentine’s dates so you can celebrate your love whatever your budget
Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to get all loved up with your partner.
But let’s be honest, the commercial element has seeped into our collective consciousness in recent years and has taken away from the romance of it all. You don’t need to sweep your partner away on a surprise trip to Paris (unless you want and can afford to) to enjoy the romance. There are plenty of ways to make Valentine’s romantic without breaking the bank.
Hire a babysitter
If you have children, when was the last time you had time together as a couple? It’s so easy to get swept away in the flurries of family life that we can easily go months without spending quality time with our significant other. Get a babysitter (or ask friends or family) to look after your children away from your home for the evening or perhaps overnight. Cook your favourite meal, watch the first film you went on a date together to see, and spend time recapturing your relationship.
Take a new class together
Learning a new skill is something we tend to neglect as adults. But there is something thoroughly enjoyable about expanding your horizons with your significant other next to you. Whether you want to try a new hobby, take an exercise class neither of you has tried before, or even attend a history talk in your local area, find something you both want to do. This not only provides an interesting date night, but helps you learn what makes you tick – you might even find a new regular activity to do together! And if it turns out to be something neither of you like, you can laugh about it after, too.
Find your inner child
When was the last time you did something really silly together? Unleash your inner child with a fun activity – try laser tag, trampolining, ice skating, paintball or something similar – and you’ll be surprised how romantic it can be. Even when you’re competing against each other, having fun and laughing hard will bring you closer together. Doing something that you wouldn’t normally do together is also a way to build memories and make sure you’re not getting stuck in a dating rut!
See how it’s made
Does your significant other have a true passion or hobby? A factory tour might not sound too romantic, but indulging in the geekery of learning about how things work for something they’re interested in will light up your other half. As well as brewery tours, you can also visit factories like the Marshall factory for guitarists, the Triumph factory tour for motorcycle enthusiasts, the Land Rover experience, or even Cadbury’s World for the sweet of tooth. You’ll be surprised how many factories offer customer tours – and they often include freebies and discounts on merchandise, too!
Go on a ghost tour
Or any walking tour, really – but the ghosty element adds some extra fun and thrills to the experience! Ghost tours around cities like York are usually less than £10 per person and offer at least an hour of activity. You get to learn loads about the area, laugh at the theatrics, and get swept up in the fun of hearing ghost stories.
Take a hike (and plan for a pub lunch)
Hiking is free and a brilliant way to spend time with your significant other. Endorphins from exercise make it a joyous experience and you’ll feel great for working out in nature, too.
The best romantic hikes come in two forms. The first is a challenging hike where you have to work together to get to the top of a mountain with beautiful views – this isn’t for the faint hearted but is rewarding. The second is the classic round trip walk: find a lovely country pub to start from (bonus points if it has a free car park to park in), take a couple of hours walking a scenic loop of the area, and return for a delicious lunch together.
Puzzle it out
Valentine’s doesn’t have to be about hearts and flowers and couples time alone (though it can be). If you’re sociable creatures who light up together when you’re in other people’s company, consider doing something as a group with your friends – and include your single friends, too!
Board game cafes are a wonderful way to spend time together with others, and teaming up with your partner helps you bond as you get competitive together. Or, take on an escape room to really make your brains work!
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