Post contains Amazon affiliate links.
I have never experienced a Valentine’s Day the way Hallmark and Kay Jewelers has promised it.
But I’m okay with that. I’ve never bought into the hype that you must spend ALL THE MONEY for the occasion, and I’ve never obsessed (much) about my relationship status during the commercial holiday either.
Before Dan was in my life, I enjoyed celebrating Valentine’s Day with my girlfriends. All four years at Furman University, Valentine’s Day was an excuse for girls’ night. My senior year was possibly the most fun, when a bunch of us dressed up and went to Hooter’s for dinner.
My first Valentine’s Day with a significant other was in 2012, when Dan and I had been together about five months. I was living in New York at the time, so we celebrated together over skype. On February 15th, I bought Valentine’s Day candy on clearance, plus Easter candy, and mailed that to Dan along with a comic strip and a love letter.
Since then, our Valentine’s Day celebrations have only gotten more romantic.
I mean, what’s more romantic than beer and boneless wings while watching Star Trek… right?
Related: 30 Unique Valentine’s Day Ideas for an Unforgettable Date
This year, Dan and I plan on taking our romance to a whole new level. I mean, it is our first Valentine’s Day as husband and wife! Like any true nerdy couple, we’re going to spend the day playing board games with our friends.
My history with the holiday is proof that you don’t need a significant other OR lots of money to have fun this Valentine’s Day.
7 Budget-Friendly, Couples-Optional Ideas for Valentine’s Day
- Board Game Party! Maybe this is cheating, since that’s what Dan and I plan to do this year, but I promise it will still be fun! Even if you’re not into the really competitive games like Power Grid, RISK, and Railroad Tycoon, you and your friends can enjoy a day of Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, Monopoly, Cranium, and Settlers of Catan. If you’re feeling really wild, check out Lords of Waterdeep, a personal favorite of Dan and me.
- At-Home Spa Day! You can make this a Ladies Night if you wish, but I know more than a few men who enjoy pampering too. Light some candles, pass around the sparkling wine, and indulge in some relaxation! Manicures, pedicures, and facials are easy to do at home. This year, make Valentine’s Day all about self-care.
- Volunteer! Contact your local soup kitchen or food bank. See if Habitat for Humanity is doing a build. On a day all about love, show some love to your community and the less fortunate.
- Wine & Cheese Party! This is actually how we celebrated my 26th birthday. There are a lot of different ways to host a wine & cheese party. Like for my birthday, I bought bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio at three different price points, and we did blind taste testings. My friend Kylie does a wine exchange at her annual Christmas party, with everyone bringing a wrapped bottle of wine and leaving with a different one. If you make the party a potluck, it’s a fun and affordable evening for everyone!
- Have a Photoshoot! Playing dress-up is no longer for kids. Grab a camera and a tripod, or invite your hobby photographer friend (that would be Dan, just FYI). Dress up in your fanciest duds, find somewhere cool and scenic in town, and pretend you’re shooting a spread for Vogue. Blogging Bonus: You’ll have some awesome photos for your next fashion post!
- Make Valentines! Who doesn’t love a good crafting party?! Get together construction paper, old magazines, ribbon, tape, scissors, and glue. Tap into your inner child and make a beautiful valentine. Bonus: After you and your friends are done, take your valentines to a nursing home and hand them out to the residents. Note: You should arrange this visit with an employee ahead of time.
- Visit the Zoo! Yes, if you live somewhere like Ohio, it’s cold in February. But if you live in Georgia, the weather is not that bad. Who needs a significant other when you and your besties can ooh and ahh at the cute animals?!
How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?
I love this! I had a lot of fun going out with friends on Valentines Day in college. Crystal’s birthday is February 11, so we’ll always be celebrating both back-to-back. This year, we’re trying to stick to a budget by going to a free museum and — one of our favorite date nights — our local dollar oyster night.
A free museum and dollar oyster night sounds AMAZING. Can I come?!
Any reason to have a wine and cheese party is a good reason!
You caught me! It’s my go-to “unique” party idea for every holiday and special occasion. 😉
When I was in college, I always made funny Valentine’s cards to send to all of my siblings–that was a favorite tradition. This year, I’m planning a party for a group of teenagers–we’re going to have a cookie decorating contest!
A cookie-decorating contest sounds so much fun! I would totally do that.
great advice! sometimes simple is best- we are doing cards and tapas this year. and a wine and cheese party- with games- is always a great time.
I love tapas! That sounds like fun!
Wine and cheese party–YES! I hosted a wine tasting party last fall and it was so much fun. That would be a perfect party to throw this time of year! These are such great ideas, Brita!
I’m glad you like them! I really need to throw another wine and cheese party, but that probably won’t happen until I’m in Georgia.
I’m definitely in the broke party, ah! But I’m definitely on board for doing a few of these things for V-Day!
Budget-friendly ideas are good all the time, but yeah, they especially help when you’re broke. 😉 Hope I inspired you a bit to make the best of it!
these are fun, simple ideas! I’m actually totally anti-Valentine’s Day…single or not. Last year I made myself a really nice dinner and drank some very good wine. That was perfect enough for me!
Self-care is a great way to boycott V-Day 😉
I’m actually using some of my own ideas this year. A few of mine & my husband’s friends are coming over for a day-long party. Shopping, pastries, cheese, & wine will all be part of the festivities!
That sounds like such an awesome idea! I might just bring all my single friends together for something great! 🙂
Great ideas! We usually do more low-key stuff for Valentine’s Day since we don’t like how busy restaurants are that night. And since it’s right after my birthday, we usually don’t do much for gifts, either. I like the idea of playing board games or doing an at-home spa night!
I LOVE ya’lls plan for this year, it sounds like something M and I would do for a date. We game all the time so we just turn gaming into date night!
Also love the wine and cheese party idea, I may have to do that over Spring Break or something, because I love love wine AND cheese 😉
This post just made me love you even more, yay!
Ha, this is actually what we did last year. I shared an old post. 🙂 We’re doing the wine party this year, although just with sparkling wine, and with goodies in addition to cheese.
Move to Atlanta so we can play board games together!!!!!! 😀
Love the idea of a wine and cheese party! I only have ever drank sweet wines. How do I make dry wines more appealing? I want to explore red wines for my monthly wine pick.