Inexpensive Yet Thoughtful Valentine's Day Ideas

Well it’s that time of year where most women out there are expecting great romantic ideas from their lovers, and for the guys, they are usually panicking because they have left this to the last minute. This article is for the guys out there that don’t agree with the commercialism of v-day, but like the idea. I have jotted down some ideas that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, and they should still meet the criteria that your better half is looking for.

Necessary components

- Clear skies

- Mode of transportation

- Two lawn chairs

- A pile of winter clothes

- Warm beverages

Before you criticize this idea for being crazy because its usually very cold this time of year, hear me out. If you live in a city, or are even from a city, this is a unique opportunity for you. Get your partner and grab a pile of winter clothes and 2 lawn chairs. Check the weather to see if there will be clear skies and wait until dark. Drive out of the city limits past the red radiation cloud that all cities give off. Once you are out of the city find a spot off of a main highway where you are secluded so you can set up the lawn chairs. With your warm beverages just sit and watch the stars, they don’t get any better, any crisper than on a cool winter night. I’d recommend going out before hand to find a place to park and to see just how nice the sky can be without the city lights getting in the way. If you’re far enough north, be sure you’re facing north, chances are you’ll be rewarded with the aurora borealis. This V-day idea is not one you can buy in stores, and it will likely mean more to your partner.

Necessary components

- Two pairs of skates

- Cheap stereo

- Romantic music (having trouble finding some? Anything from the 80’s is a good bet)

- Bribe

Skating can be a fun way to spend V-day, especially when only one of you can skate. Its time spent alone and it gives you something to do while you are spending that quality time with each other. As for places to skate you could go to the skating parks where hundreds of other couples are going to be. To overcome this obstacle you could look around for an arena that is rarely used at that time, nearby small towns are usually free, depending on what day V-day falls on. This is where the bribe comes in, most places are pretty picky when it comes to letting people skate. My advice is to go to the rink, find the person that runs the place, and see if he’s willing to leave the door open and lights on if you were to leave a bottle of scotch in his truck. With the rink empty, plug in the stereo, crank the 80’s tunes and let the night take care of itself. Some cities clear a path on the river that runs through town, lots of people are there but it’s more spread out, and there are little shops that offer warm beverages. If you can’t bribe/rent your way into a rink than the river is a good backup.

Necessary components

- Groceries

- Bottle of wine (optional)

- Empty house

- Cooking skills (also optional)

It’s the thought that counts, and if you’re not a good cook, this is what will save you. If I am an amazing cook and make something nice for V-day its not bad. But if I am a terrible cook, hence I don’t cook often, and attempt to make a nice dinner, that will mean much more. There are a number of things you can cook but I found its best if you follow the kiss rule. Keep it simple stupid. Far less can go wrong when you follow that golden rule. You can’t go wrong with a roast (or roasted chicken breast), potatoes, salad, and garlic bread served with wine. You can even make a cake from a box for desert if you’re ambitious. This idea works well if you don’t make meals all the time for your partner.

Necessary Components

- Groceries

- Bottle of wine

- Blanket

- Paper plates and plastic utensils

A good picnic is hard to come by, especially when its cold and there is snow everywhere. I highly doubt your partner has ever gone on a picnic, especially the indoor one that you’re about to have. It is best if you do this at your partners place for the surprise effect. You could spread out your blanket anywhere in the house to have the picnic and it this way you don’t have to fight to get to a restaurant.

Neccessary Components

- Ideas

This is going to take some effort from you. All of the websites about valentine's day gifts say two things: "personalize it" and "something small and thought out is better than a big generic gift" (ie. heart shaped necklaces). Personalizing gifts can be hard... but really, you should know enough about your partner to find one thing to work around. You don't have to spend a ton of money to make something great.

Does your partner love animals? Arrange a backstage pass at the local zoo or aquarium. Some places even have "trainer for a day".

Where in the world would she love to go? Create a theme night and bring it to her!
Italy: Download Italian music, make a simple pasta or pizza recipe (nothing from a box, let's see a little effort), red wine and watch Roman Holiday.

Somewhere hot: Crank the heat, Have a platter of exotic fruits, fancy mixed drinks like pina coladas, Hawaiian music - some cities will even have a place to learn to hula together
Asia: Decorate your place with Chinese lanterns, find a stirfry recipe to make together, sit on the floor and eat with chopsticks... the combinations of countries are endless.
Alaska: After spending the evening tobogganing or snowshoeing, get some fish for supper and watch a movie about polar bears/penguins (who cares if that's the wrong pole?)/beluga whales....

Does she love to read? If you know her favourite book... read it and watch the movie together. She'll appreciate that A. you noticed and B. you took the time to read it in depth enough to talk about it with her.

And if all you can think of is that she likes to shop and you HATE it and refuse to go with her.... get to the mall, grab a drink and take her on a bit of shopping spree. No sighing as she tries on clothes/shoes/jewellery, give feedback and opinions and at least pretend to enjoy yourself. When she finds something reasonably priced that she likes, you can offer to buy it or even better - buy it when she's not looking and give it to her later that night. Because really, you'd be spending a hundred bucks at a restaurant anyways. This is a great one for shopaholics... especially if she knows you hate shopping. Every girl wants to feel like their boyfriend knows them. Thats number one.