Introduction

I am answering a request about cheap Valentines’ Day date ideas made by a Hub pages member. Valentine’s Day has always been a day set aside for lovers. Most women grew up thinking that if only the man of their dreams would take them out to the most expensive restaurant, shower them with roses and candy, it would prove how much he really cared for us.

I have found out that this is not the case. Most men begrudgingly do these things because they feel “guilted” into it or it is expected of them. I’ve asked a lot of men about this tradition and almost all of them told me that they absolutely hate it!

Holidays seem to be made up for the opportunity to sell merchandise. Greeting cards, candy, roses and expensive restaurants don’t have to be the norm. The day has an actual meaning in history.

The history of Valentine’s Day or Saint Valentines Day has its’ origins in legend. The holiday has its roots in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalis/Lupercalia, a fertility celebration commemorated annually on February 15.

Apparently the Valentine was a Roman bishop who performed secret marriages against the wishes of the Roman Emperor Claudius II around the year 270. He was eventually discovered and was executed for defying the Emperor. That’s roughly how he became a Saint. Read more about it on this link

http://www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/history_of_valentine.htm

The modern world often frowns upon dates that don’t involve money and gifts. In today’s economy, cheap Valentines’ Day date ideas are a little more accepted.

I have come up with a few in this article.

If you live in a warm climate and it's Valentines Day, let’s say Florida, then a romantic walk along the beach with a bottle of wine and store bought candy may be the answer.

You can get a good bottle of wine, for about $3.00. The boxed wine is quite good and you don’t have to worry about breaking the bottle. Some people I know even brew their own! So driving to the beach,buying the wine and some cheap Russell Stover candy should run about $10.00.

If you live in a cold climate in the United States, which means most of us, you can plan a “picnic” dinner right in your living room. If you have enough imagination, gather shells, bagged sand, potted plants and a big blanket. The music is free from the radio; the wine is cheap, along with cheese and grapes.This shouldn't cost more than $20.00 for a romantic evening.

Just dim the lights, light the candles and listen to music while he whispers “sweet nothings” in your ear.

Another cheap Valentine’s Day date idea is to buy some strawberries, melting chocolate and have a chocolate dipped strawberries evening. It’s really fun and both of you get to do an enjoyable activity together.I think this may run about $15.00. 

My next idea is to cook a simple meal together. It could be romantic if you make heart shaped butter pats, cookies, and individual food items from cookie cutters.

Chicken breasts are easy to cut into heart shapes as well as potatoes, or avocados.

or pizza. See the photo for an idea. I think shopping for the ingrediants and making the meal wouldbe fun.depending on your area,it may cost around $20.00. 

If you both like crafts, then going to a crafts store that offers lessons would be fun.Making something together is a good way to bond and it gives you memories to cherish. After the lesson, you will have a keepsake of the date!i know of crafts stors that have pottery classes and painting classes that you could bring a date to.This may cost around $15.00 to $20.00. 

Photography is another good shared activity to do on or near Valentine’s Day. Going outside in nature or people watching is fun.Depending on whether or not you have your own cameras or not,it would be very inexpensive. You could buy a disposable camera as well.

After a day of shooting, you can share a hot chocolate by a fire of a state resort park, Here in Kentucky, the State resort parks’ lodges are open year round and the fireplaces are usually going.

One more date idea for Valentines Day is to visit wineries for the day. Many have activities for Valentines Day and offer a meal. They also have a package deal which could save money on rooms and meals.

In Conclusion

If you think about it and use your imagination, you can come up with good cheap date ideas for your valentine.You don't have to spend a lot of money to have a romantic date. You may even gain some insight about your date by how they react to your ideas.Have a wonderful Valentines Day!