Four course meal at a posh restaurant? Night in a hotel suite? Day trip to Paris? Sound out of your price range? Mine too. It being Valentine’s Day, thousands of people are busy planning extravagant outings for their partner, but for those of us that can’t afford to whisk our loved one away to Paris for the night it’s time to get a little creative. Now of course, you don’t need money for everything…but student finance didn’t consider the 10ft teddy bear you planned to buy your girlfriend and if the idea of going to a museum doesn’t excite you or your partner here are some that I think might.
1. Create a Youtube playlist of live versions of all their favourite songs and have a mini concert for just the two of you. We’re talking VIP treatment, unlimited snacks, no queue and guaranteed front row seats!
2. Pick a scene from their favourite movie and try recreating it…apologies to the guys that end up dressed as Mufasa!
3. Go for a picnic in the park, gather all of their favourite food. It’s cheap, slightly cliché and undeniably romantic.
4. Back garden camping, fun when we were children, still fun now…maybe even more so! Grab a tent, lots of blankets, marshmallows, a few drinks and build a campfire. Sorted.
5. Painting; grab a large canvas (or piece of paper), lots of paints and two paintbrushes. It will either result in a very cool piece of artwork…or with you washing paint out of your hair for days. Either way, it’s fun…and if you don’t feel like using a canvas, paint on each other!
6. Bake or cook together, even if you end up burning the chicken, or forgetting the gravy it’ll be fun!
7. Hit a local fun fair, silly rides, dodgems and fairground food. Watch as your other half spends a ridiculous amount of money on the hook-a-duck stand trying to win you a giant cuddly toy. You’ll spend the day laughing and holding on to each other when the rides get a bit scary.
8. Go on a stranger scavenger hunt. Make a list of things to spot then spend the day walking round your local town looking for the woman in the large hat and the dog that’s too fluffy to walk. Turn it into a competition — the loser has to do a forfeit (and get creative with them!)
9. Take a tourist trip…in your city. Grab a map and a camera and visit all the cliché attractions…even ask for directions as if you really were a tourist.
10. Hide and seek – it’s childish, fun and the prospect of being caught will get you both excited; especially if you’re competitive. If you’re feeling adventurous you could even do it in your town!
11. Take a moonlight walk around the capital, hold hands, occasionally mention how cold it is, grab a waffle or two if you pass a stand. Enjoy.
12. Go on a mini road trip. One of you drives, one of you gives directions. Who knows where you’ll end up?
13. Build a fort in your front room; we’re talking pillows, blankets, fairy lights…upside down chairs. It’s childish, fun and romantic!
14. Bring out each other’s competitive side and have a games night. Things like scrabble, chess, twister, connect 4… ought to do it. Keep a running tally of who’s winning.
15. Fondue night. Cheese or chocolate?
16. If you are a Uni student — make use of your campus! Hide and seek? Scavenger hunt?
17. Go on a nature walk/hike. Take photos. Explore. Get a little lost.
18. Go rollerblading around your town… it’s almost as romantic as ice skating!
19. Horror movie marathon; complete with blankets, snacks and lots of hugs!
20. Last, but not least, if all else fails stay in bed all day, I’m sure you’ll find something to do!