Valentine’s day falls on a weekend again this year, which could mean this popular holiday out could be busier than usual. Save your cash and try one or some of these romantic gestures this year:
Throw a Progressive Dinner – Get some friends together for a unique multi-home experience. Each couple plans and serves one course at their home and the party moves from place to place during the night. Course options could include: appetizers, soup/salad, main course, dessert and after dinner drinks.
Host a Couples’ wine tasting – Kind of like a potluck, everyone brings their own bottle and an appetizer and then mix and mingle. To add to the shared cooperative theme, ask everyone to pick a song and create the ultimate playlist for sweethearts.
Dollar Store Decor – The dollar store is a gold mine for anything holiday related. Check out their Valentine’s selection for cute last minute supplies or get crafty and make your own.
Get DIY with Your Bad Self – There are so many ideas out there for adorable handmade Valentine’s, recipes, and decorations. Check out our Valentine’s Pinterest board for creative ideas to get inspired.
>> Try this recipe to make cupcakes for 2 instead of an entire pan
Research Online Dining Deals – Look up deals on Groupon, Living Social, or Restaurants.com. Make sure to read the fine print because a lot of these deals aren’t accepted at dinner or on Saturdays. This option might be best if you plan to celebrate your romance on a different day when Valentine’s promotions are on clearance (music to our ears!).
Dinner & Movie at Home – While everyone will be schilling out full price for tickets to Fifty Shades (around $20 + snacks/drinks), have a cozy movie night in. With Netflix or Amazon Instant, Redbox, or a Library rental, you’ll have more money to splurge on the snacks portion. TIP: Bake some cookies so your house smells sweet while you snuggle.
Create your own pizzas – Head to the grocery store and grab premade dough (or make your own), sauce, cheese, and some toppings. Design your own individual pizzas or cut them into heart shapes! Great craft for kids as well.
Mizzou After Dark – Free to Students and $5 to the public, head to Stotler Lounge in Memorial Union for dinner and a concert on Friday, February 12. This fine experience includes roses and chocolate covered strawberries.
Cooking Date Night – Work with your partner to create a delicious meal with Back to Basics Cooking. Once your culinary creation is finished, you’ll sit down and share your meal together over a glass of wine before ending on a sweet note with chocolate-covered fruit for dessert.
GO BIG! – “My husband and I have so many people to buy presents for at Christmas that we made a deal not exchange them with each other. “ Says Rita T. an MSC in the Contact Center. “Instead! We go all out on Valentine’s Day: baby sitters, nice dinner and gifts. It’s our way to treat ourselves when we take it easy the rest of the year.” Do what works for you and your budget. TIP: save any gift cards you get at Christmas to protect your personal cash flow.
How do you plan on celebrating or saving on Valentine’s Day? Tell us in the comments.
