Cheap and cheerful Valentine’s Day ideas you can plan fast

If you’ve left it to the last minute to surprise your loved one or person you secretly admire for Valentine’s Day – don’t panic, you’re certainly not the only one.

While time may be running short ahead of February 14, there are plenty of budget-friendly approaches that can still impress before the romantic occasion arrives.

The guidance emerged after a worried Reddit user shared their predicament, facing a tight deadline themselves whilst working with minimal funds.

They wrote: “Never been in a relationship on Valentine’s Day before, it’s three days away and I can’t stop stressing. I don’t really have the budget for holiday gifts since I’m living paycheck to paycheck and it’s barely enough. But I love my partner dearly and want to make sure they know it. Any ideas?”

Thankfully, there were plenty of responses you can use as inspiration this Valentine’s Day. So here are some cheap and cheerful ways to approach the big day…

1. Make a playlist and dance together

One romantic recommended: “Cheap wine and a playlist you made especially for the occasion tends to be a good first Valentine. Make dinner together. Get tipsy on wine and dance in the kitchen.

“Don’t sleep on inexpensive cheesy romance. For anyone who truly loves their partner, this holiday is about being thoughtful and loving. It’s not about the spend or going out.”

2. Have an indoor picnic or meal inside

A second person suggested: “Depending on where you live, if it isn’t too cold you can bring a picnic to a park!” Or, you can bring the picnic indoors for a fun twist!

The Redditor added: “If it’s too cold to do so, some candles and a nice romantic playlist with his favourite dinner. Then you can play a game for 2, do a free online crossword together, or pick out a movie from the library that you both want to see!”

3. Go for a walk and pick fresh flowers

A third offered her recommendation: “Cook a meal for them, go for a evening walk, liberate some garden flowers and write a letter from the heart to them.

“One of my most treasured things is my husband’s wedding speech that he hand wrote but was unable to say as he got so choked up and emotional on the day.”

4. Write some love notes

Another proposed: “Write your significant other little notes and leave them where they’ll find them throughout the day. If you/they are into puns or if you have inside jokes, you could work them into the notes.

“All it costs is a few pieces of paper and some time to think of what to write. I plan on doing this for my fiancé and I know it will make him smile and feel loved. It’s the thought that counts!”

5. Cook together

A Redditor recommended: “[Try] a fun experience. Baking/cooking together for example. Can make a nice meal at home that’s a bit of a splurge, but still cheaper than any pricey gift and means a lot more.”

And another agreed, writing: “I’m cooking dinner and cleaning up the whole place in addition to getting cheap flowers.”

6. Give them special coupons

Show your acts of service with this clever tip. A romantic commenter recommended: Make coupons for foot massages and back rubs. Bubble bath.

“Those are the things that speak to our heart, just show your devotion.”