Cheap Valentine’s Day Ideas: Fun Valentine’s Tips for Frugal Couples

Any frugal couples out there?  My husband and I are raising our hands.  Okay fine, I am for both of us (he’s too cool to do that).  You do not have to spend lots of money on Valentine’s Day.  Here are cheap Valentine’s Day ideas that are fun and frugal.

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Can’t buy me love?  Maybe not, but the influence of Valentine’s Day can get people spending more than they should or can afford.  There are many cheap Valentine’s Day ideas to show your love how much you care that are either free or inexpensive.

Take a look at your budget (so romantic, I know!!) and figure out what is realistic for you to spend. 

The answer might be nothing this year and that’s fine too. 

If Valentine’s Day is something you want to celebrate (I totally do!!), you don’t need to spend a lot of money.

Also make sure you check out the ideas in this post: Cheap or Free Valentine’s Gifts for the Honey Sweetie Bear in your Life.

Related reading: Dates on a Budget – Best Cheap Date Ideas You’ll Actually Want to Try

Free or Cheap Valentine’s Day ideas

Because frugal people deserve love too.

1. Cook a fancy meal together

It is always less expensive to cook a meal at home than ordering the same meal at a restaurant.  Try cooking a copycat version of your favorite restaurant meal.

Also check out the ideas in this article: Cheap Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him That Will Remind Him You’re the Woman of His Dreams.

2. Make a gift certificate to give your partner a massage

When I was learning Thai massage my husband got lots of massages because I practiced on him.  The frequency of massages has totally fallen off since having a kid.  Most people would totally appreciate a massage from their love.  Bonus points for massage oil, candles, and music.

3. Make your partner homemade chocolates

I did this one year for my husband – I made him four different kinds of chocolates, bought foil wrappers and a chocolate box. It took a bit of time to put this gift together, but that’s the point!  It’s something you don’t do every day and makes your person feel special.

For an easy no-bake Valentine’s treat that he’ll love, make these Valentine’s Day pretzels!

4. Prepare your love’s favorite breakfast

This is a great cheap Valentine’s Day date idea especially for homebodies.  Buy a few oranges and make your partner freshly squeezed juice to go with the breakfast.  This brie and spinach quiche would make a great savory breakfast dish and these mini peach scones with vanilla glaze are perfect if your partner has a sweet tooth.

5. Surprise your partner by drawing them a bath

Use bubbles if they like that, and pour them a glass of wine. Have their towel and robe ready and waiting for them when they get out. For bonus points: warm up the robe and towel in the dryer for a couple minutes right before they get out of the bath. Bliss!

6. Netflix and a cozy night in

This is the simplest idea in the bunch, but there’s nothing wrong with keeping it simple and cuddling on the couch or in bed and watching a good show.  Especially when you live in a place with super cold Februaries like we do!

7. Dried rose petals

This is a fun Valentine’s Day idea and you would definitely get the best partner award with this gift of dried rose petals!  You can sprinkle the petals into a hot bath or decorate a bed with the rose petals.

8. Romantic & Cheap Valentine’s Day Idea: An indoor picnic

If you have a fireplace, have a romantic dinner on a blanket in front of the fire together.

9. A classic mixtape

Put together songs your partner loves or ones that mean something to you as a couple.

For an updated version for all you Gen Z people, make a Spotify playlist.

10. Make a nostalgic meal for your partner

Find out an old family recipe from their parents or something they really loved growing up, and recreate that.

11. Try something adventurous together

Go rock climbing.  There are lots of indoor climbing gyms around – find one and do something different together.  (Fun fact: my husband and I met at a rock climbing gym.)

12. Go see live music together

See a local band or go to a jazz club or even a symphony.  For frugal folks there are often less expensive nights at the symphony.  We went once last year to an event where the tickets cost only $20 each.  These cheapster symphony events only happen once a year where we live so you’ll have to do some searching.

13. Go out for dessert only instead of dinner and dessert

If you love going out to restaurants, you can still have a special night out and you will save a lot of money by having dinner at home first.

14. Take over chores for your partner

Whatever the usual tasks they do around the house, take a weekend and do all their chores for them.

Related reading:

• Save Money on Prom: How To Do Prom On A Budget
• Frugal Christmas Ideas
• Eco-Friendly Products For The Home
• Easy Homemade Gifts For Dad

15. Have a no-tech day together

No phones, T.V., computers, enjoy each other’s company uninterrupted and without distractions.

16. Write your partner a love note

The old-fashioned kind with paper and a pen.

17. Make a Valentine’s Day card

Making cards is not just for little kids.  Make your partner a card instead of buying one.  It’s less expensive (cards are so expensive now guys!) and also really sweet.

18. Buy a single rose instead of a dozen roses

A single red rose is just as romantic as a bouquet of roses and is much more affordable.

19. Buy your partner a potted plant

This is something my dad used to get my mom on Valentine’s Day and she liked it. 

Oh and they have been married for a really long time lol so something is working.

A beautiful potted plant will last for much longer than cut flowers so it’s a more frugal use of your money.  These potted plants are super cute.

20. Go for a walk or hike together just the two of you

Hold hands.  If you have young kids it might be some time since you have held just your partner’s hand without another little person between you!

21. Buy flowers from a supermarket instead of a florist

They still have beautiful flowers and are much less expensive.

22. Pick up some whipped cream at the store

‘Nuff said.

23. Borrow Valentine’s themed movies from the library

For a totally free Valentine’s Day idea, stay home and watch love-themed movies from the library.

24. Frame a picture of the two of you

So many photos stay digital.  Print out and frame a great photo of the two of you to display instead of all the pics getting lost in digital oblivion.

25. A bottle of wine with a nice bottle opener

For Valentine’s Day, get this wine bottle opener, for the love of God not this one.

26. Underwear doesn’t cost a lot

A tiny gift with a big impact (wink wink).

27. A frugal version of a fragrance

Perfume/cologne is a traditional Valentine’s Day gift. If this is something your partner would be into, save money by giving them a rollerball fragrance instead of the full size bottle.

28. A necklace with a secret

A morse code necklace is a unique Valentine’s Day gift.  Get one with the word love, your names, or a secret message that will just be shared between the two of you.

Need some more ideas? See more Valentine’s Day sales here.

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What are your cheap Valentine’s Day ideas?