Last Minute Valentine’s Day Date Ideas Under $50

Champagne tastes on a soda budget:
Putting the squeeze of love on your money for Valentine’s Day

By Anita Lal

First of all, I have to confess that I’m one of those elusive women who loathe Valentine’s Day. I, for one, am eagerly anticipating February 15th when all those delicious chocolates are marked down to half off!

Maybe I’m about as cuddly and romantic as a cactus in a hair-shirt, but for the life of me I cannot comprehend why [rhymes with stupid] was chosen as the mascot for the national hallmark holiday. When I think of romance, the last thing in the world I picture is a chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon!

But I digress.

Did I mention that it also costs a fortune? Which most of us don’t have? Did you know, fellas, that the average amount a man will spend on V-Day is $170? Yikes! So much for J-Lo’s proclamation about how love don’t cost a thing!

Tired of the same old clichéd wining, dining (all in the hopes of finally 69ing!) typical Valentine’s Day dates? Or just so damn broke you can’t even afford to pay attention? Fear not my good men. Behold, I offer you interesting and pseudo unique Valentine’s Day dates that will probably still get you some end of night action (which is what this is really all about right?) The best part? Most of them are $50 or less. Read on, Romeos.

Untraditional Movie Night

There are two options here.

First, if you’ve just jumped into a relationship, skip the new romantic comedy that just hit the Redbox, and instead go with a classic like Casablanca, To Catch a Thief, or even the goofy-as-all-get-out original Ocean’s 11. Grab some takeout, make a meal, or have some cocktails on hand that line up with the plot or location of your chosen old Hollywood story. Set an upscale mood by dressing up a bit. You don’t want to look like you’re settling in for a night on the couch because you have the flu. Just because you’re at home watching a movie, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress up for her.

For those that have been in a relationship for a while, consider reenacting your first movie date. We all (should) know the first movie we saw with our significant other. Find it for cheap on DVD, grab a wicker-type basket from a craft store, dress it up with some tissue paper, and load it up with popcorn, M&Ms, and other movie theatre type snacks. Deliver it to her and ask her over for a movie night. This should cost you less than the arm and a leg you spent on just the popcorn and sodas alone when you two first saw it in the theater.

Channel  your inner Cake Boss meets Betty Crocker and bake together

Kill two birds with one stone as you work and play in the kitchen. Be her sexy pastry boy and wear nothing but an apron… Just think about all the crazy things you can do with the excess icing when you’re done eating!

Wine Tasting

Many wineries are sprouting up everywhere and most allow wine tasting for free or for a very small price. Go and learn about the different wines and what they pair well with. Keep mental notes on which varietals she enjoys the most. Knowing a woman’s wine preference isn’t as important as knowing her eye color, but it helps. As counter-intuitive as it may feel for those of us who see wasting alcohol as a mortal sin, make sure you use that spit bucket. You’re driving, you need to be responsible, and if you swallow every taste you’re not going to be fit to drive her home. You don’t have to spit every taste, but showcase some restraint. She’ll notice and appreciate it.

Stage a private karaoke concert

You may not be the best singer in the world, but we’re sure your efforts will be greatly appreciated.  (Women love this schmaltzy stuff). Book a room at a KTV or whip out your Magic Sing for a night of serenading and harmonizing. Bonus points if you bust out the Michael Buble or Bruno Mars.

Take a Zumba class

Or Tango. Or Swing. Salsa. You get the idea. It’s not a stereotype. Ladies love to dance and dig a man who can loosen up and bust a (sexy) move. Who knows, you may just discover a hidden talent! Plus, those flexible limbs may come in handy later on…

Take a hike and go camping

If you’re looking for some good old quality time away from the busy city, pack a bag and head for the mountains. Not a fan of roughing it up? Improvise by taking a short trail hike and have a romantic picnic under the stars.  If it’s not exactly camping season and you’re surrounded by the white stuff, consider snowshoeing as an option. Nothing will burn off those granola bars faster than hoofing around on glorified tennis rackets.

Visit  a zoo/animal sanctuary

When it all comes down it, you and me baby ain’t nothing but mammals… No I’m  not telling you to do it like they do on the discovery channel! But if you’re both animal lovers, tap into your inner kid and get up close and personal with white tigers and penguins. The nostalgic thrill will make you feel closer to one another.

Go-Karting

Strap on a helmet and take a spin around the track with your woman in tow. The adrenaline rush will surely get you both in all sorts of moods. Why not spice things up a bit by making a bet? The winner gets to call the shots for your late night rendezvous.

Visit the Planetarium/Museum/Art Gallery

Hop on the brain train and take your honey stargazing. Muy romantica. Or immerse your cultural geeks and check out the exhibits at your local exhibits at the museum or art gallery. And be sure to let her know that she’s prettier than any portrait. Aww.

Bicycle Picnic

Picnics are always at the top of everyone’s list for cheap and romantic dates. But mixing in a leisurely long bike ride can make a nice difference. It’s relaxing, you get to enjoy some scenery on the way, and it’s far more romantic and engaging compared to fighting through traffic and finding a place to park. Keep the menu simple and make sure you’ve got a backpack and bike gear rack that can handle your load. Take a bike lock with you. You might end up taking a detour on the way home for ice cream.

Take a historical walking tour of your town

Almost always free, historical walking tours actually make you stop and appreciate the history that most of us drive by every single day. We’ve got our own point A’s and point B’s, and most of us rarely spend time focusing on the places in between. Usually these tours are led by volunteers who can be real characters, and the buildings and their stories are never boring. Both (the guides and history) will provide for plenty of conversation at the cafe or bar afterward. Nostalgia, history, architecture, an appreciation for the past… it’s all wrapped up in one of these on-foot freebies.

Cooking together

Staying in and making dinner together is as romantic as it gets, but use your dinner date as an excuse to hit your local farmer’s market that morning. Stroll past the different vendors, and eventually you’ll start assembling a pile of fresh local ingredients that you can use that evening. You don’t have to get everything at the market. Maybe just the foundational items for each course–perhaps a couple bunches of kale to sauté up with some olive oil and garlic, a couple of local organic chicken breasts that will be plenty easy to stuff, and some berries to pair up with shortcake for dessert. Get creative, then use the middle of the day to find some easy recipes and pick up the rest of the ingredients you’ll need.

Hopeless in kitchen?

Take a cooking class together. You can go mainstream or exotic like Thai, Indian or Sushi. Women love a man that isn’t afraid to be hands-on, and one that can be a culinary expert in at least one field! Also, you can fumble together to create a culinary masterpiece and also, you get feed each other your concoctions.  Women don’t need to date Gordon Ramsey, just a guy that tries. For her. And there’s nothing sexier than that.

There you go Rico Suaves of the world. Rejoice! And talk back to me – let me know how it goes!

Happy Valentine’s Day!