Romantic and Budget-Friendly Ideas For A Stay At Home Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is going to look a little different this year…

With the ongoing pandemic, the usual romantic dinner in a packed restaurant and a late-night stroll are pretty much out of the question. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a romantic Valentine’s Day with your partner from the comfort of your own home. In many ways having to stay home allows you to be so much more creative with your date night ideas. You could go as over-the-top or simple as you want and create a Valentine’s Day for you and your partner that you will always remember. If you’re having trouble coming up with a good date night idea, we’ve gathered five romantic AND budget-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas that will have your partner swooning!

Spending Spree

Bring a little mystery to your Valentine’s Day! Instead of sending your partner on a scavenger hunt around your house, although that’s another amazing idea, go on a spending spree at a dollar store or the dollar section of your local Target. Each person will have a $10-15 spending limit and has to use their budget to purchase items for your date night. The catch is you will have to use all the items in some way during your date night, so think crafts, decorations, candy, etc. You could even use it as a fun way to create gifts for the other person!

PJs & Movie Night

It doesn’t get comfier than sitting in your PJs watching a classic romantic comedy! Plan a movie night with your partner where you turn your living room into a home theater. Set up blankets, string lights, and pillows. Pick your favorite Valentine’s Day movie or the movie you watched on your first date for a quiet, relaxed Valentine’s Day. If you want to have a little fun, ask each other trivia questions during the movie and any missed questions result in that person having to do a task of the other person’s choosing.

Indoor Picnic

Bring the picnic inside for this Valentine’s Day! Push away all the couches and set up a blanket, candles, and a small table if you like. Whether you choose to cook a meal together or order in, each partner can decide the meal for the other person and have a little reveal at dinner time. You can even roast marshmallows for s’mores in your fireplace if you have one, if not set up a fondue station to enjoy post-dinner.

Make A Time Capsule

Whether this is your first Valentine’s Day as a married couple or your last before you say “I Do,” it will be one to remember if you make a time capsule. Put items like photographs, letters, and non-perishable mementos into a box that you can store away in a closet. Promise not to open the time capsule until your first Valentine’s Day as a married couple or five years down the line, the timeline is up to you. But, this way you have a fun activity to do on your date and it will be a nostalgic surprise for a future Valentine’s Day.

Plan A Mini Getaway

If you want to stay in, but get away from the everyday scenery of your home, take a mini getaway. Pick a location that is fairly close to where you live and rent an Airbnb for one night or the weekend, depending on your budget. One night in an Airbnb can typically cost around $100, so not too expensive. This will give you a safe way to get away for the weekend, just you and your partner, to have a romantic dinner “at home.”